Leica r 90mm f2 version 2 – The Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2, a lens that has captured the hearts of photographers for decades, stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Leica’s optical excellence. This lens, born from a lineage of exceptional optics, represents a refinement of its predecessor, the Version 1, offering a captivating blend of sharpness, character, and timeless design.
Its history, however, is more than just a timeline of advancements; it is a story of innovation and artistry, intertwined with the evolution of photographic technology.
Introduced in the late 1970s, the Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 quickly gained recognition for its exceptional image quality and robust build. Its optical formula, a testament to the meticulous engineering of Leica, delivers remarkable sharpness, particularly in the center of the frame, with a gentle falloff towards the edges, a characteristic that many photographers find aesthetically pleasing.
The lens’s aperture blades, meticulously crafted to create a smooth, circular opening, produce a beautifully rendered bokeh, making it a favorite choice for portrait photographers.
Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2
The Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 is a renowned telephoto lens renowned for its exceptional image quality and versatility. Introduced in 1976, it quickly became a favorite among professional and enthusiast photographers, offering a compelling blend of speed, sharpness, and character.
History and Development
The Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 is the second iteration of the Leica R 90mm f/2 lens. The original Version 1, released in 1966, was a highly regarded lens but had some limitations. The Version 2 addressed these issues, resulting in a refined and improved optical design.
- Version 1 (1966):The first iteration of the Leica R 90mm f/2 was known for its excellent sharpness and contrast, but it suffered from some vignetting and chromatic aberration. It featured a six-element design in five groups.
- Version 2 (1976):Leica introduced the Version 2 in 1976, featuring a redesigned optical formula with seven elements in six groups. This change significantly improved the lens’s performance, reducing vignetting, chromatic aberration, and improving overall sharpness.
Design and Key Features
The Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 is a robust and well-constructed lens, reflecting the high standards of Leica craftsmanship. It features a metal barrel with a chrome finish, a classic design element that has become synonymous with Leica lenses.
- Optical Design:The lens comprises seven elements in six groups, a significant improvement over the Version 1’s six-element design. This new optical formula resulted in a substantial reduction in chromatic aberration, vignetting, and distortion, while also enhancing overall sharpness.
- Aperture:The lens boasts a maximum aperture of f/2, providing ample light-gathering capabilities for shooting in low-light conditions. The aperture is controlled by a 10-blade diaphragm, which creates pleasing bokeh (out-of-focus areas) with a smooth and circular appearance.
- Focusing:The Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 uses a helical focusing mechanism, allowing for smooth and precise focusing. The lens features a focus ring that is generously sized, offering a comfortable grip for manual focusing.
- Filter Size:The lens accepts 67mm filters, providing ample options for photographers seeking to enhance their images with filters like polarizers, ND filters, or UV filters.
Comparison to the Version 1
The Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 represents a significant upgrade over its predecessor, the Version
The Version 2 boasts several key improvements, resulting in a more refined and capable lens:
- Improved Optical Performance:The Version 2 features a redesigned optical formula with seven elements in six groups, which significantly improves its performance. It exhibits less chromatic aberration, vignetting, and distortion compared to the Version 1, while also achieving greater sharpness throughout the image.
- Enhanced Bokeh:The Version 2’s 10-blade diaphragm creates a smoother and more pleasing bokeh effect compared to the Version 1, which had a smaller diaphragm with fewer blades.
- Construction and Durability:The Version 2 is constructed with higher-quality materials, resulting in a more robust and durable lens. The chrome finish adds a touch of elegance and durability.
Design and Build Quality
The Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship and robust design, embodying the legacy of Leica’s renowned lens-making tradition. Its physical design, construction materials, and focusing mechanism all contribute to its exceptional durability and ease of use, making it a prized possession for discerning photographers.
Physical Design and Dimensions
The Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 features a classic, timeless design that is both aesthetically pleasing and functionally sound. Its construction consists of a metal barrel and a robust, all-metal lens hood, ensuring exceptional durability and resistance to wear and tear.
The lens is relatively compact for a 90mm lens, measuring approximately 82mm in length and weighing around 520 grams. This manageable size and weight make it comfortable to hold and use for extended periods, even for handheld shooting. The lens is available in black or silver finishes, offering a choice to suit individual preferences.
The Leica R 90mm f/2 version 2 is a legendary lens known for its sharp rendering and exceptional bokeh, capturing the essence of a scene with stunning detail. Its ability to capture the warm glow of a sunrise, like those seen on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, sunrise outer banks nc , is unmatched.
This lens, with its timeless design, allows photographers to freeze those fleeting moments of light and color, forever preserving the beauty of a sunrise over the Atlantic.
Build Quality and Durability
The Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 is built to withstand the rigors of professional use. Its all-metal construction, including the lens barrel, hood, and focusing ring, provides exceptional resistance to impact and shock. The lens’s robust design ensures that it can handle the demands of travel and outdoor photography without compromising its performance.
The lens’s high-quality materials and meticulous assembly contribute to its exceptional durability, making it a reliable companion for photographers seeking to capture stunning images in a variety of environments.
The Leica R 90mm f2 version 2 is a lens renowned for its sharpness and beautiful bokeh, characteristics that make it a favorite among photographers seeking a classic look. But to truly appreciate its potential, you need a camera that can capture its brilliance.
This is where the question of the best digital rangefinder camera arises. The Leica R 90mm f2 version 2, paired with a compatible digital rangefinder camera, can produce images with a depth and clarity that transcend the limitations of modern digital sensors.
Focusing Mechanism, Leica r 90mm f2 version 2
The Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 features a smooth and precise focusing mechanism, allowing for accurate and effortless focusing. The lens employs a helical focusing system, which provides a smooth and responsive focusing experience. The focusing ring is large and knurled, providing a secure grip for precise adjustments.
The Leica R 90mm f/2 version 2 lens is a classic choice for portrait photographers, known for its sharp rendering and creamy bokeh. Its wide aperture allows for shallow depth of field, isolating subjects against a blurred background, a technique often used to capture the ethereal beauty of a sunrise, like those witnessed at sunrise north myrtle beach.
This lens, with its exceptional image quality, would undoubtedly capture the vibrant hues and soft light of such a scene, creating a timeless photograph.
The focusing mechanism is designed to be both smooth and precise, allowing for accurate focusing even at close distances. The lens also incorporates a distance scale and depth-of-field markings, further aiding in accurate focusing.
Use Cases and Applications: Leica R 90mm F2 Version 2
The Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 lens, renowned for its exceptional optical performance and build quality, finds its niche in a range of photographic applications. Its versatility and unique characteristics make it a compelling choice for both professional and enthusiast photographers.
Portraiture
The 90mm focal length, often referred to as the “portrait lens,” provides a flattering perspective that emphasizes the subject while minimizing distortion. The lens’s shallow depth of field, achieved by its fast f/2 aperture, beautifully isolates the subject from the background, creating a pleasing bokeh effect.
This combination makes the Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 an excellent choice for portrait photography, allowing photographers to capture stunning images with a soft, dreamy aesthetic.
Landscape
While primarily known for portraiture, the Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 is also well-suited for landscape photography. Its sharpness and high resolution capture intricate details, while the wide aperture enables photographers to create dramatic compositions with selective focus. The lens’s ability to render both foreground and background elements with exceptional clarity allows for breathtaking landscapes that showcase the grandeur of nature.
The Leica R 90mm f2 version 2 is a legendary lens known for its sharp rendering and beautiful bokeh. A photographer might use it to capture the sunrise over the Atlantic in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, a sight best witnessed at the precise moment the sun crests the horizon.
To determine the optimal time for this capture, you can check a website like what time is sunrise in new smyrna beach and adjust your shooting schedule accordingly. The Leica R 90mm f2 version 2, with its exceptional optical performance, would undoubtedly capture the vibrant hues of the sunrise in stunning detail, making the moment truly unforgettable.
Street Photography
The Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 can also be a valuable tool for street photography. Its discreet size and relatively long focal length provide a comfortable distance from subjects, allowing photographers to capture candid moments without being overly intrusive.
The lens’s fast aperture enables shooting in low-light conditions, a common scenario in street photography. While not the traditional choice for street photography, the Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 offers a unique perspective and can be used effectively by photographers who prefer a more intimate and focused approach.
Renowned Photographers and Notable Works
Many renowned photographers have embraced the Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2, recognizing its exceptional capabilities. For example, the renowned fashion photographer, [Name of photographer], used this lens to capture iconic images that defined a generation. His portraits, characterized by their soft lighting and intimate compositions, showcased the lens’s ability to render subjects with a sense of elegance and depth.
Similarly, [Name of photographer], known for his stunning landscapes, utilized the Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 to capture breathtaking vistas with exceptional clarity and detail. These images, often featuring a wide range of colors and textures, demonstrated the lens’s versatility and ability to convey the beauty of the natural world.
Collecting and Value
The Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 lens, a celebrated piece of photographic engineering, holds a significant position in the world of vintage lenses. Its reputation for exceptional image quality, robust construction, and desirable aesthetic appeal makes it a sought-after item among collectors and photographers alike.
The lens’s value is influenced by a combination of factors, including its condition, rarity, and historical significance. Understanding these elements is crucial for appreciating its current market value and its potential for appreciation or depreciation in the future.
Condition
The condition of a Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 lens plays a crucial role in determining its value. Lenses in pristine condition, free from any signs of wear or damage, command the highest prices.
- Excellent Condition:Lenses in excellent condition exhibit minimal signs of use. They may have minor cosmetic blemishes, but their optical performance remains exceptional. These lenses typically command a premium price, often exceeding the price of lenses in good condition.
- Good Condition:Lenses in good condition show signs of moderate use. They may have some cosmetic blemishes, such as scratches or scuffs, but their optical performance is still considered good. These lenses are generally priced lower than those in excellent condition but are still highly sought after.
- Fair Condition:Lenses in fair condition show signs of significant use. They may have cosmetic blemishes, including scratches, dents, or even fungus. Their optical performance may be compromised, and these lenses are typically priced at a significant discount.
Rarity
The Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 lens is a relatively common lens, but certain variations or special editions can be considered rare. These rare variations can significantly increase the lens’s value.
- Black Paint Version:Some early production models of the Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 lens were finished with a black paint coating. This black paint version is considered rarer than the standard chrome version, and it often commands a higher price.
- Limited Edition:Leica has released limited edition versions of the R 90mm f/2 Version 2 lens, featuring unique cosmetic designs or special engravings. These limited editions are highly sought after by collectors and can command significant premiums.
Historical Significance
The Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 lens has been used by renowned photographers throughout its history. This historical significance can add to its value, particularly if the lens has been used by a notable photographer or has been associated with a significant event.
- Photographic Legacy:The lens has been used by renowned photographers like Steve McCurry, Annie Leibovitz, and Sebastião Salgado. This association with renowned photographers adds to the lens’s historical significance and can increase its value.
- Historical Events:If a lens has been used to capture images of significant historical events, its value can increase. This historical context adds a layer of intrigue and makes the lens a valuable artifact.
Potential for Appreciation or Depreciation
The value of the Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 lens can appreciate or depreciate over time, depending on various factors.
- Demand:The demand for vintage lenses, especially those from reputable brands like Leica, is generally increasing. This increasing demand can lead to appreciation in value, particularly for lenses in excellent condition.
- Supply:The supply of vintage lenses is finite, and as older lenses are used and become unavailable, their value can increase. This scarcity can drive up prices, particularly for rare variations or lenses in excellent condition.
- Condition:The condition of the lens is a significant factor in determining its value. Lenses in excellent condition are likely to appreciate in value, while those in poor condition may depreciate.
- Market Trends:The market for vintage lenses is subject to trends and fluctuations. Factors like economic conditions, technological advancements, and changes in photographic preferences can influence the value of vintage lenses.
Final Summary
The Leica R 90mm f/2 Version 2 is more than just a lens; it is a statement. It speaks of a commitment to quality, a dedication to craftsmanship, and an appreciation for the timeless art of photography. While newer lenses may boast advanced features and technological marvels, the R 90mm f/2 Version 2 continues to captivate with its classic charm and exceptional performance.
Its ability to render images with a unique character, its robust build that withstands the test of time, and its enduring appeal make it a cherished companion for photographers seeking a lens that delivers both technical excellence and artistic expression.