Leica r 90 f2 version 2 – The Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 sets the stage for this enthralling narrative, offering readers a glimpse into a story that is rich in detail and brimming with originality from the outset. This lens, a testament to Leica’s enduring legacy in optical excellence, is not merely a piece of equipment but a time capsule of photographic history.
Its design, a culmination of decades of meticulous engineering, speaks volumes about the pursuit of perfection in the world of photography. The Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2, with its exceptional optical performance and timeless aesthetic, embodies the essence of precision and artistry that defines Leica’s reputation.
The Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2, introduced in 1980, was a significant update to the original R 90mm f/2 lens. It features a redesigned optical formula with improved sharpness and contrast, along with a more robust build. This lens is known for its exceptional image quality, producing sharp, detailed images with beautiful bokeh and rich colors.
It’s a versatile lens suitable for a wide range of photographic genres, including portraiture, landscape, and street photography. The lens is also highly sought after by collectors for its historical significance and exceptional performance.
Optical Performance and Image Quality
The Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 lens is renowned for its exceptional optical performance, delivering stunning image quality that has captivated photographers for decades. Its optical design, incorporating a complex lens formula, excels in sharpness, contrast, color rendition, and distortion control.
Sharpness and Contrast
The lens exhibits remarkable sharpness throughout the image frame, even at wide apertures. This exceptional sharpness is attributed to its sophisticated lens design, incorporating high-quality glass elements and meticulous manufacturing processes. The resulting images display exceptional detail and clarity, capturing subtle textures and intricate patterns with precision.
Furthermore, the lens delivers excellent contrast, producing images with deep blacks and vibrant highlights, enhancing the overall visual impact.
Color Rendition
The Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 lens is celebrated for its accurate and natural color rendition. The lens faithfully reproduces colors, rendering them true to life, without any noticeable color casts or shifts. This accurate color reproduction is crucial for photographers seeking to capture the authentic beauty of their subjects.
Distortion
The lens exhibits minimal distortion, ensuring that straight lines remain straight and geometric shapes are faithfully rendered. This distortion control is achieved through careful lens design and manufacturing techniques, minimizing the impact of optical aberrations that can distort images.
The Leica R 90 f/2 version 2, a lens renowned for its sharpness and bokeh, often finds itself paired with a digital camera body, requiring a way to transfer the captured images to a computer. This process is similar to transferring images from a Ricoh GR IIx, which often involves connecting the camera to the computer via USB cable or a card reader.
For specific instructions on transferring images from a Ricoh GR IIx, you can consult this helpful guide. Once your images are on your computer, you can then process and share them, showcasing the unique character of the Leica R 90 f/2 version 2’s rendition of the world.
Image Quality Comparison
The Version 2 lens represents a significant improvement over earlier versions, particularly in terms of sharpness and contrast. Compared to other similar lenses, the Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 lens stands out for its exceptional optical performance, delivering a level of image quality that is often unmatched.
Examples of Images Captured with the Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 Lens
The lens’s strengths are evident in images capturing a wide range of subjects, from portraits to landscapes. Its exceptional sharpness and contrast allow for capturing intricate details, while its accurate color rendition ensures vibrant and realistic images. For example, a portrait captured with the lens might showcase the subject’s skin texture, hair strands, and eye details with remarkable clarity.
A landscape image might reveal the texture of rocks, the delicate patterns of leaves, and the subtle variations in light and shadow with exceptional fidelity.
Design and Handling
The Leica R 90mm f/2 is a lens designed for professional photographers, known for its exceptional image quality and robust build. It features a classic, all-metal construction, embodying Leica’s commitment to quality and durability. This lens is a testament to the company’s long-standing reputation for crafting tools that stand the test of time.
The Leica R 90mm f/2 version 2 is a legendary lens known for its sharpness and smooth bokeh. It’s a favorite among photographers seeking a versatile lens for portraiture and general photography. While the R 90mm is a telephoto lens, photographers often pair it with wide-angle lenses like the Zeiss Distagon 21mm f/2.8 for a more balanced perspective.
Those seeking a wider perspective can delve into the fascinating world of ultra-wide lenses, exploring the differences between the Zeiss Distagon 21mm f/2.8 and the Zeiss Jena 20mm f/2.8 here. Regardless of your choice, the Leica R 90mm f/2 version 2 will deliver stunning results with its exceptional optical performance and classic Leica build quality.
Physical Design and Ergonomics
The lens’s design reflects its intended use in professional photography. It is relatively large and heavy, weighing in at approximately 1.2 kg. While this might seem daunting to some, it contributes to the lens’s robust build and stability. The lens features a smooth, knurled focusing ring that provides a tactile and precise feel.
The aperture ring is also well-designed, allowing for smooth and accurate adjustments. The lens’s overall design is intuitive and user-friendly, even for photographers accustomed to smaller, lighter lenses. Its heft provides a sense of quality and stability, especially when shooting with a large-format camera.
Focusing Mechanism
The Leica R 90mm f/2 utilizes a helical focusing mechanism, a common design in high-quality lenses. This mechanism is known for its precision and smooth operation, allowing for accurate focusing adjustments. The focusing ring is substantial and provides excellent feedback, allowing photographers to fine-tune their focus with confidence.
Aperture Control
The lens features a traditional aperture ring with click stops, offering precise control over depth of field. The aperture ring is well-dampened, providing a satisfying click with each adjustment. This tactile feedback ensures that photographers can accurately set their desired aperture, even in low-light conditions.
Handling Experience
The Leica R 90mm f/2 is a lens that rewards careful handling. Its weight and size require a firm grip, but this contributes to its stability and the precision of focusing and aperture adjustments. The lens’s overall design is well-balanced, making it comfortable to hold and use for extended periods.While its size and weight might be a deterrent for some photographers, the lens’s handling characteristics make it a pleasure to use.
The tactile feedback from the focusing and aperture rings, combined with its robust build, inspire confidence in the photographer.
The Leica R 90 f2 version 2 is a lens that embodies the classic Leica design, prioritizing quality and craftsmanship. Its fixed focal length, while offering a specific perspective, is a reminder of the deliberate approach to photography that Leica encourages.
For those seeking a compact, versatile option, the leica d lux one offers a zoom lens and a more modern digital experience. Both cameras, in their own way, represent Leica’s commitment to exceptional image quality and a timeless aesthetic, reflecting the evolution of their photographic philosophy.
Comparison with Other Lenses
The Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 lens stands out among its contemporaries in the Leica R system, offering a unique combination of image quality, handling, and versatility. To fully appreciate its strengths, it’s essential to compare it with other lenses that share similar focal lengths and intended uses.
This comparison will highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each lens, considering key factors like image quality, size, weight, and price.
The Leica R 90 f/2 version 2 is a legendary lens, known for its exceptional sharpness and beautiful bokeh. Its robust construction and classic design make it a favorite among photographers who value quality and heritage. While it’s a full-frame lens, for those looking for a smaller system with excellent image quality, a best 4 thirds camera paired with a high-quality lens can be a fantastic option.
The 4/3rds system offers smaller size and weight, making it more portable for travel and street photography. Ultimately, the choice between the Leica R 90 f/2 version 2 and a 4/3rds system depends on your individual needs and preferences.
Comparison with Other 90mm Lenses in the Leica R System
The Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 is often compared to its predecessor, the Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 1, and other popular 90mm lenses in the Leica R system, including the Leica R 90mm f/4 Macro and the Leica R 90mm f/2.8 APO-Summicron.
- Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 1:This lens is known for its excellent image quality, particularly in the center of the frame. However, it suffers from some vignetting and distortion, particularly at wider apertures. Compared to the Version 2, it is slightly heavier and larger, making it less portable.
- Leica R 90mm f/4 Macro:This lens offers a macro capability, allowing for close-up photography, but its maximum aperture is f/4, which limits its performance in low-light conditions. The image quality is generally good, but not as sharp as the f/2 versions. The lens is compact and lightweight, making it a good choice for travel photography.
- Leica R 90mm f/2.8 APO-Summicron:This lens is known for its exceptional sharpness and excellent color rendition. It is also a very compact and lightweight lens, making it a popular choice for street photography. However, its maximum aperture of f/2.8 limits its low-light performance compared to the f/2 lenses.
Key Features and Specifications Comparison
The following table summarizes the key features and specifications of the Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 lens and its competitors:
| Lens | Maximum Aperture | Minimum Aperture | Elements/Groups | Weight | Length | Filter Size | Price (Approximate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 | f/2 | f/22 | 7/5 | 550g | 87mm | 67mm | $2,500
|
| Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 1 | f/2 | f/22 | 7/5 | 570g | 90mm | 67mm | $1,500
|
| Leica R 90mm f/4 Macro | f/4 | f/32 | 8/6 | 450g | 75mm | 67mm | $1,000
|
| Leica R 90mm f/2.8 APO-Summicron | f/2.8 | f/22 | 8/6 | 350g | 65mm | 67mm | $2,000
|
Legacy and Significance
The Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 lens stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Leica’s optical excellence and its impact on the world of photography. This lens, a classic among professionals and enthusiasts alike, has cemented its place in history as a benchmark for portraiture and general photography, leaving an indelible mark on the evolution of lens design.
Influence on Lens Design, Leica r 90 f2 version 2
The R 90mm f/2 Version 2 lens’s design and performance have significantly influenced subsequent lens developments. Its renowned sharpness, smooth bokeh, and excellent contrast have served as a blueprint for later lenses, inspiring generations of lens designers to strive for similar levels of optical perfection.
The lens’s ability to render pleasing background blur, a hallmark of its design, has become a sought-after characteristic in modern portrait lenses.
Last Point: Leica R 90 F2 Version 2
The Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 is a testament to Leica’s unwavering commitment to optical excellence and timeless design. It’s a lens that transcends generations, captivating photographers with its stunning image quality and enduring legacy. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a budding enthusiast, the Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 offers a glimpse into the world of classic photography, inviting you to capture moments with a touch of elegance and artistry.
This lens stands as a beacon of innovation, a testament to the enduring power of craftsmanship and the beauty of capturing the world through a lens that embodies the very essence of Leica’s heritage.