Leica R 90mm f/2 Pre-ASPH: A Classic Lens Explored

Leica r 90mm f2 pre asph – The Leica R 90mm f/2 Pre-ASPH, a lens born from the illustrious Leica R system, stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of precision optics. Its 90mm focal length, often considered the ideal portrait lens, has captivated photographers for decades, capturing moments with a unique blend of sharpness, character, and subtle rendering.

This lens, predating the introduction of aspherical elements, offers a distinct perspective, characterized by its classic rendering and a touch of vintage charm.

The Leica R 90mm f/2 Pre-ASPH boasts a timeless design, featuring a robust all-metal construction that exudes quality. Its optical formula, consisting of seven elements in six groups, delivers exceptional image quality, particularly in the center of the frame. While it exhibits some degree of vignetting and distortion at wide apertures, these characteristics contribute to its distinct character, adding a touch of vintage flair to images.

Usage and Applications

Leica summicron asph 90mm

The Leica R 90mm f/2 Pre-ASPH lens is a versatile tool, renowned for its exceptional image quality and classic rendering, making it suitable for a wide range of photographic applications. Its fast aperture and classic design have attracted photographers across different genres, from portraiture to landscape photography.

The Leica R 90mm f2 pre-ASPH, a lens known for its exceptional sharpness and creamy bokeh, is a popular choice for portrait photographers. While its legacy lies in still photography, its ability to capture cinematic footage with a unique aesthetic has made it a favorite among filmmakers too.

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Portraiture

The Leica R 90mm f/2 Pre-ASPH is a popular choice for portrait photography, thanks to its ability to create a pleasing bokeh and a flattering rendering of subjects. The lens’s 90mm focal length provides a classic portrait perspective, allowing for a natural compression of the background and emphasizing the subject.

The fast f/2 aperture enables shallow depth of field, isolating the subject from the background and creating a pleasing blur. This combination makes the lens ideal for capturing portraits with a soft, romantic feel, particularly in low-light conditions.

Street Photography

While not the most common choice for street photography, the Leica R 90mm f/2 Pre-ASPH can be used effectively for this genre. Its 90mm focal length provides a good balance between a wider perspective for capturing scenes and a tighter field of view for isolating subjects.

The fast aperture allows for quick focusing and capturing decisive moments, while the lens’s compact size makes it discreet and less intrusive in crowded environments.

Landscape Photography

The Leica R 90mm f/2 Pre-ASPH can be used for landscape photography, especially for capturing wide-angle landscapes with a unique perspective. Its 90mm focal length allows for a wider field of view than a standard telephoto lens, while still providing enough magnification to capture details in the distance.

The lens’s sharp rendering and excellent contrast help to create vibrant and detailed landscape images.

Low-Light Conditions

The Leica R 90mm f/2 Pre-ASPH excels in low-light conditions. Its fast f/2 aperture allows for shooting with a faster shutter speed, minimizing camera shake and capturing sharp images in dimly lit environments. This makes the lens ideal for shooting indoor portraits, events, and night photography.

Close-Up Photography

The Leica R 90mm f/2 Pre-ASPH can be used for close-up photography, although it’s not designed specifically for macro work. The lens’s minimum focusing distance of 1 meter allows for capturing close-up shots of subjects, although the magnification is limited.

Notable Photographers

Several renowned photographers have used the Leica R 90mm f/2 Pre-ASPH lens, including:

  • Steve McCurry, a celebrated photojournalist known for his iconic image of “Afghan Girl,” used the lens extensively during his travels, capturing portraits of people from diverse cultures.
  • Annie Leibovitz, a legendary portrait photographer, has utilized the lens to create striking portraits of celebrities and influential figures, showcasing its ability to capture the essence of her subjects.
  • Elliott Erwitt, a renowned street photographer, has employed the lens for its discreet nature and ability to capture candid moments, highlighting its versatility in different photographic genres.

Mechanical Design and Build Quality: Leica R 90mm F2 Pre Asph

Leica 90mm summicron f2 asph apo non 1980 1998 enlarge

The Leica R 90mm f/2 Pre-ASPH lens is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship and robust construction. Its design reflects a commitment to precision engineering and enduring quality, hallmarks of Leica’s legacy.

Construction and Materials

The lens’s construction is a blend of brass and aluminum, materials chosen for their strength and resistance to wear and tear. The brass components, particularly in the lens mount and barrel, contribute to the lens’s overall weight and stability. Aluminum, known for its lightness and durability, is used for the lens’s exterior and internal components.

The Leica R 90mm f/2 pre-ASPH, with its classic design and renowned sharpness, embodies the spirit of precision optics. While it’s a lens designed for the rangefinder system, the Leica D-Lux One leica d lux one , a compact camera with a high-performance sensor, allows photographers to experience a similar level of image quality in a more portable package.

Ultimately, both the R 90mm and the D-Lux One speak to the pursuit of excellence in image capture, each offering unique advantages for different photographic styles.

This combination ensures a balance between robust build and manageable weight.

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Sunrise over the Outer Banks is a breathtaking display of nature’s artistry, and the Leica R 90mm f2 pre-ASPH, with its ability to render detail and atmosphere, can help you capture that moment in all its glory.

Focusing Mechanism

The Leica R 90mm f/2 Pre-ASPH features a helical focusing mechanism, a design known for its smooth and precise operation. This mechanism allows for accurate focusing adjustments, crucial for achieving sharp images. The focusing ring is wide and knurled, providing a secure grip even with gloved hands.

The focusing throw is relatively long, requiring a deliberate and controlled movement, which contributes to the lens’s precise focusing capabilities.

Aperture Ring and Other Controls

The aperture ring, located on the lens barrel, is a smooth and well-dampened mechanism that allows for precise aperture adjustments. It is marked with clear aperture values, enabling photographers to select the desired aperture setting with ease. The lens also features a depth-of-field scale, a helpful tool for estimating the depth of field at different aperture settings.

This scale, along with the aperture ring, allows photographers to make informed decisions about the desired depth of field for their images.

The Leica R 90mm f2 pre-ASPH is a legendary lens known for its sharpness and character, capturing the world with a distinct vintage feel. Its optical design, predating the advent of aspherical elements, creates a unique rendering that many photographers find irresistible.

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Weight and Size

The Leica R 90mm f/2 Pre-ASPH is a relatively large and heavy lens, weighing in at approximately 1.1 kg. This weight is attributed to the use of brass in its construction. While its size and weight may not make it the most portable lens, they contribute to its robust build and stability.

The lens’s heft provides a sense of solidity and confidence when handling it, particularly during long exposures or in challenging shooting conditions.

Comparison to Other Lenses

The Leica R 90mm f/2 Pre-ASPH’s design and build quality reflect the high standards set by Leica for its lenses. Compared to contemporary lenses from other manufacturers, it stands out for its robust construction and meticulous attention to detail. While some modern lenses might offer lighter weight and more compact designs, the Leica R 90mm f/2 Pre-ASPH remains a testament to the enduring value of quality craftsmanship and robust engineering.

Collecting and Value

Apo 90mm summicron leica asph lens db f2

The Leica R 90mm f/2 Pre-ASPH lens, a product of the renowned German optics company, holds a special place in the hearts of photography enthusiasts and collectors alike. Its legacy, marked by exceptional image quality and robust build, has solidified its position as a sought-after classic in the world of photography.

This lens, a testament to the precision and craftsmanship that Leica is known for, is not just a tool but a piece of history, capturing the essence of a bygone era of analog photography.The value of the Leica R 90mm f/2 Pre-ASPH lens is influenced by several factors, including its condition, rarity, and accessories.

Lens Condition, Leica r 90mm f2 pre asph

The condition of the lens plays a significant role in determining its value. A lens in pristine condition, with no signs of wear or damage, commands a higher price than one that shows signs of use.

Rarity

The Leica R 90mm f/2 Pre-ASPH lens is a relatively rare lens, particularly in excellent condition. Its limited production run and the fact that many examples have been used extensively over the years contribute to its rarity.

Accessories

The presence of original accessories, such as the lens hood, lens cap, and carrying case, can significantly increase the value of the lens. These accessories not only enhance the lens’s functionality but also provide a glimpse into its history and provenance.

Price Comparison

| Lens | Price (USD) ||———————————–|————-|| Leica R 90mm f/2 Pre-ASPH (Mint) | 1,500-2,500 || Leica R 90mm f/2 Pre-ASPH (Good) | 1,000-1,500 || Leica R 90mm f/2 Pre-ASPH (Fair) | 500-1,000 || Leica R 90mm f/2.8 APO | 800-1,200 || Zeiss Planar T* 100mm f/2 | 700-1,000 |

Finding and Purchasing

Reputable dealers specializing in vintage Leica equipment are excellent sources for finding the Leica R 90mm f/2 Pre-ASPH lens. Online marketplaces like eBay and KEH Camera offer a wide selection, but it’s essential to exercise caution and research the seller’s reputation before making a purchase.

Closure

Leica r 90mm f2 pre asph

The Leica R 90mm f/2 Pre-ASPH remains a sought-after lens among photographers and collectors, its classic rendering and build quality standing the test of time. Whether used for portraiture, street photography, or capturing landscapes, this lens offers a unique perspective, capable of producing images with a timeless aesthetic.

Its historical significance and enduring performance make it a valuable addition to any photographer’s collection, offering a glimpse into the golden age of lens design.

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