W hile using the Leica 90 Elmarit-M f2.8 during the first days of the EXPO 2010 in Shanghai and having liked it a lot, there was only one thing, I have wanted to be different: a more dramatic background. Unfortunately, this comes only with the penalty of a heavier, bigger, faster lens, which in most cases is directly connected to higher costs as well.

I was lucky enough, to find out the wonderful solution of the Leica 90mm Summicron-M f2, which is available as a second hand item for great bargain prices compared to it’s modern incarnation of the 90 APO (which sells usually for a steep 1.000,- EUR more in used condition ! ).

I had my first day of shooting the latest pre ASPH Summicron - as time schedule did not allow, taking a day off to do so, I packed it into my office bag and used the transfer by car to a supplier to get to know the new lens.

Did I like it ? - Is it easy to focus ? - Is it a practical lens ? - One comment only: I have a new favorite lens !

More comments will follow later - for now, have a look at the gallery here and watch for some wide open only shots !

If not otherwise stated, I used the lens entirely wide open, to get comfortable with the thin depth of field, focussing such a fast tele manually with a rangefinder camera.

Of course, the lens with it’s 1960’s optical design, predating Leica’s newest aspherical lens designs by a few decades is loaded with optical aberrations, leading to a soft look.

It has a much lower resolution, compared to the 90mm Elmarit-M and does render everything except the image center softly. This indeed makes the charm of this particular lens, offering a very special look, naturally well suited to portraits.