The $13,000 Leica 90mm Summilux-M real-life review by Thorsten von Overgaard

Magic of Light by photographer Thorsten Overgaard

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Read the Leica 90mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.5 REVIEW:
www.overgaard.dk/Leica-90mm-Summilux-f-1-5-review-and-sample-photographs-Page-1.html
The Leica 90mm APO-Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0 REVIEW:
www.overgaard.dk/leica-90mm-Summarit-M-f-25.html
Read the Leica 75mm Noctilux-M ASPH f/1.25 REVIEW:
www.overgaard.dk/Leica-75mm-Noctilux-f-1-25-review-and-sample-photographs.html
Read the Leica 50mm Noctilux M ASPH f/0.95 REVIEW:
www.overgaard.dk/leica-50mm-Noctilux-M-ASPH-f-095.html
Buy Leica 90mm Summilux from Ken Hansen New York Inc bit.ly/2CUvXXQ
For my Leica M10 review www.overgaard.dk/Leica-M10-digital-rangefinder-camera-page-00-Expect-Simplicity.html
For my Leica M10-P review www.overgaard.dk/Leica-M10-P-digital-rangefinder-camera-page-The-History-of-Leica-M-Professional-Editions-by-Thorsten-Overgaard.html
For my Leica M10-R review www.overgaard.dk/Leica-M10-R-digital-rangefinder-camera-page-by-Thorsten-Overgaard.html
For my Leica M10-M review www.overgaard.dk/leica-M-Monochrom-Henri-Digital-Rangefinder-Camera-black-and-white-sensor-page.html
For my Leica M240 review www.overgaard.dk/Leica-M-Type-240-aka-Leica-M10-digital-rangefinder-camera-page-30.html
For my Leica M9 review www.overgaard.dk/leica-M9-digital-rangefinder-camera.html
For my article about the HISTORY OF LEICA, see my extremely long article about more than 100 years of history here:
www.overgaard.dk/leica_history.html
For photography definitions, see my dictionary:
www.overgaard.dk/leica_definitions.html
The screen on the desk is the EIZO ColorEdge CG279 27" with Hardware Calibration Monitor that support 99% of the Adobe RGB color spectrum: bhpho.to/3f3DQId
Thorsten von Overgaard is a Danish writer and photographer, specializing in portrait photography and documentary photography, known for writings about photography and as an educator. You are always welcome to send an e-mail to Thorsten for questions, suggestions and ideas.
Thorsten Overgaard is an independent writer and photographer who write, teach workshops and publish user reports about the equipment he uses. There is no affiliation with Leica Camera AG or any camera dealers, no free gifts, no sponsorship, no kickback and no paid content. All you see is real and based on the life of an eccentric and hard-working photographer who makes his own money, buys his own equipment and form his own independent opinions - and shares with you. Enjoy the ride.
Video Credits:
Produced by: Thorsten Overgaard (www.overgaard.dk)
Equipment:
This video was made with the Leica SL bhpho.to/3cIbPEg and Leica 35mm Summilux-L ASPH f/1.4 bhpho.to/2MEr0nn , using Sennheiser wireless microphones bhpho.to/2zafn4v .
#Leica #Noctilux #Summilux
Job #2038-0820

Опубликовано:

5 авг 2020

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Комментарии : 85

@garydmorris 4 года назад

2014 I tripped and fell down a volcano. Not as dramatic as it sounds (just bruises and scrapes). I landed on my M9 and Noctilux .95. The M9 was fine. The Noctilux shade and barrel were dented (the lens filter was broken… always wear a filter). I sent the Noctilux to Leica for repair. The repair was done at no charge. It was noted that this was the first repair sent in resulting from falling down a volcano.

@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard 4 года назад

Best story ever. No wonder they repaired it for free :-)

@Fluterra 10 месяцев назад

In 2014 I dropped my then new D800 and Nikon lens from a height of about 1m onto the sidewalk in Tokyo. Both were damaged. Not impressed. Went back to Leica and never looked back.

@takuan650 4 года назад

What a bargain! My butler is already on his way to get a couple of them.

@nickdigrispino2409 4 года назад

You only have one butler? 😜

@anandhua.b4589 3 года назад

@@nickdigrispino2409 such a poor chap he is

@nickdigrispino2409 3 года назад

Anandhu A.B 🤣

@Tom_YouTube_stole_my_handle 3 года назад

If that’s how much you pay the Butler, do you need a chauffeur?

@michaelfedorsha8147 3 года назад

I just recently came across you and your channel. You have a ton of great articles and videos and some beautifully impressive photographic art. Thanks for sharing with us!!🙏

@kevin-parratt-artist Год назад

This is indeed a superb lens. .. which comes to life in the hands of an artist. 👌 Thank you again for sharing this Thorsten. I return to a number of your videos, from time to time. This one being a favourite. 💫

@raymondtay5512 4 года назад

Apart from the cost, the size of these lens are too big & heavy compared to the size of Leica CAM. I even find my 50mm Silver Chrome Summilux too heavy for my M9M. I chose the Summilux over the 50mm Noctilux is because of the size and weight.

@velovot99 4 года назад

These are, undeniably, beautiful machines.

@Raychristofer 4 года назад

What's up Thorsten? I have to say I notice and appreciate the diversity of models you use , too many photographers all choose the same type over and over. By the way I've been shooting Barnack leicas for a year now with a summitar. I appreciate the magnified extra window for focusing, I think more cameras could benefit from that.

@j.k5654 2 года назад

Another person who loves the Barnack Leica magnified extra window. Believe me or not, i sold my M3 to get the IIIf after using it lol. I love that camera.

@parratt-world 4 года назад

Physically, the size and weight are fine for me. I am accustomed to the early 9cm Summicron (made in Canada with detachable head for Visoflex) which is I guess about the same. Were I to sell an extra painting or two, I would gladly hand over the money. Thank you for this Thorsten.

@BPLeroyLotusEvora 4 года назад

Thank you Thorsten for being straightforward and honest as always!

@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard 4 года назад

Welcome. Thanks for the feedback :-)

@dizzybuizzy9347 4 года назад

Hi Thorsten.. The word "Absurd" comes to mind!!

@smartdoctorphysicist3095 2 года назад

Hi I believe you can do the same look with either 90mm Summcrom or with 90mm Summcrom apo, and get good shot with it as will. I do not know if you will see a big different between the older 90mm to the apo 90mm if you do know please let me know.

@9Biloela99 4 года назад

great review - thank you for sharing your wisdom

@TheVFXbyArt 4 года назад

Thorsten, what’s the rings you used on your safari to not have the camera fall from the strap? Thx

@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard 4 года назад

Experimenting with different ones, this one is from a keyring. But looking or some that can't fall off, for my own designed straps. No there yet.

@klestor Год назад

I'd love to see your review of the Thambar lens

@Richardsumilang 4 года назад

Would be nice if they paired it with a better visoflex. Until then I'll stick to my 90 2.8 which is a fraction of the price and portable :)

@tamilhoward9708 4 года назад

I have a 90mm f2.8 Elmarit-M and it suits me just fine! Not much bigger than my 50 Lux

@Gravitys-NOT-a-force 4 года назад

If you're in a crowded place, e.g. a zoo, and people - and kids - are passing you in all directions, you'll tend to guide that lens with your left hand to avoid collisions. After a few months your left hand will start to ache.

@ablueslenz 4 года назад

This question has nothing to do with the 90mm lens you just discussed. But can you recommend a Leica camera with an interchangeable lens that is similar the Leica Q2? I want a full-frame sensor and interchangeable lens, but I want it rather “compact.” I’m considering the Q2, but I don’t know if I can handle a fixed lens. I want a solid travel/walk around camera. I currently shoot the Nikon D850 for projects, but for travel, I want something light.

@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard 4 года назад

Q2 has the possibility to crop, and then the smallest 75mm frame is 8MP which is enough for most things, but people seem to want all 50MP. The Leica CL is cute, sells for only 1600 with a lens now, but is not full-frame. That is about it, else look at Leica M9 with a lens secondhand, that kit could be 3500-4500 in total...

@ablueslenz 4 года назад

@@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard Thanks so much for this quick and insightful reply! I appreciate it greatly. I will do as you recommend and see what I come up with. 💚

@Gravitys-NOT-a-force 3 года назад

The reason for "your" dropping the 90mm lens THREE (3) times is muddled/unclear in your video. Did one of the two strap lugs somehow unscrew out of the camera body? I have the 75mm Noctilux which is also quite heavy. I can't afford to drop my lens even once.

@Sams911 4 года назад

dropped it not once, not twice! but three times! I'd have a coronary if I dropped my M50 Noctilux just once! BTW, Thorsten... do they make a leather strap like the one you have with a quick disconnect? or are they all using those rings that mess up your fingernails?

@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard 4 года назад

Same rings, meant to stay on the camera. We are working on new rings that are easy to release while they can't fall off.

@Sams911 4 года назад

@@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard make a nice one, and I'll be in line to get it

@adventureStaley 4 года назад

This is the lens I want the most. But I'm a portrait guy....

@Gravitys-NOT-a-force 4 года назад

In your video you have quite a few photos that appear to have been taken with the 90mm lens 'wide open.' Were any of those photos 'candid' photos, photos taken 'hand-held' and without the help of Leica's Visoflex accessory? Also, what are the odds of your buying a new M10-R in which the built-in mechanical rangefinder is perfectly calibrated, i.e. capable of focusing the 90mm at f1.5. I'll admit those are all 'gotcha' questions.

@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard 4 года назад

I shoot 99% wide open yes, and contrary to 'logic' the 90mm is actually easier to focus with the RF than the EVF. It is also more intuitive. When getting a new camera, the RF can be off, or it can be very precise. It's just part of the mechanical construction that it can go out, and if it does, the EVF is the lifesaver till one can get the camera re-calibrated.

@Gravitys-NOT-a-force 4 года назад

@@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard , if I had just handed a storekeeper $8300 for a new, in-the-box M10-R (body), that would be the big question on my mind as I walked out of the store, "Is the built-in rangefinder accurate?" How would I know?

@brianmccutcheon3205 4 года назад

There’s 13,000 reasons why I won’t be buying one, sadly: I have a M3 and love it: But can’t see how they justify the prices ?

@brianmccutcheon3205 4 года назад

Paul Lanigan hey, I’m expressing my opinion: last I saw wasn’t illegal: I love Leica gear but just can’t afford it: That lens costs more than what it cost to build my shed/home:

@brianmccutcheon3205 4 года назад

Paul Lanigan I’m so sorry for jumping on you Paul like that: Please except my humble apology I was very rude:

@Pedro-ng7hh 3 года назад

Thank you.👍

@TheGrapefruit11 4 года назад

one can always hear your love for the 50 noctilux! interesting that the 90mm is 1.5 but I like that it's the same size as the 75. big enough!

@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard 4 года назад

If you look and calculate 90/1.5, 75/1.25, 50/0.95 you should be able to predict the 35mm and 28mm Noctilux :-)

@vicentvanmole 4 года назад

Know my answer instantly ,the minute i know the size &cost.

@mylogify 11 месяцев назад

Why does this cost 13.000 Euro and Sigma 56mm costs only 400-450 Euro and still great lens? Nice dreamy shots btw! They don't look like the other full-frame, and APSC cameras like Sony, Canon etc... For some reason...

@peetje28021970 4 года назад

13.000 dollar is the exact same amount I spent last Friday on a new motorcycle, I'm sure it's better spend on that lol.

@cubeedoo 4 года назад

If one has to decide whether to spend it for the lense or the bike or as long as one does not earn money with it, this reflects my thoughts. 😄 Beautiful, but it's worth more than my old car.

@filibertkraxner305 4 года назад

That's not fair: motorcycles are a primary necessity ;-). So you made the right decision.

@Gravitys-NOT-a-force 4 года назад

Walking around with a Leica shooting 'street' photographs will help you keep your weight down. No way will your new motorcycle help you keep your weight down.

@peetje28021970 4 года назад

waytoosquirrelly with a summicron yes lol

@hackman8909 2 года назад

What would be a good , lightweight leica 90 mm? Dof isnt the highest priority. If someone could give me a pointer two one or more good options? I do long distance hikes and therefore very weight restricted. Thanks guys!

@johnkasianowicz6536 Год назад

Check out the Leica Macro-Elmar-M 90 mm f/4. It’s tiny, collapsible, lightweight, and very sharp. They call it a Macro lens, but you need the Leica Macro Adapter-M to do that kind of work.

@paulsehstedt6275 4 года назад

Udmærket fremstilling som sædvanlig. Jeg må nok heller kigge ind på Fasanenstrasse 71 i Berlin, for at se på objektivet, for Robert (Mimosa) har det helt sikker ikke på hylden. Sammen med M10R må det være helt ude i det ekstreme!

@evelasq1 4 года назад

Honestly, these lenses are too expensive for most photographers to be able to afford for their photography. I have lenses that have their own unique characteristics. I do love primes and I do like using Nikon Prime Lenses for my digital and film work. They do no cost me thousands of dollars for each prime lens. The most that I every paid is around a few hundred dollars for a prime lens and the lowest price is below $100. I do get some great results. For the price of these lenses, a person could buy a car.

@dizzybuizzy9347 4 года назад

They are not that great for Lenses! Nikkor or Voigtlander is a better choice!

@Caracalaba 4 года назад

I promise you, from the begining oglf the video I already knew if I was going to buy it :)

@ductritran8637 3 года назад

I stay with my 90mm apo , buy it used for less than half of the price and it is a best 90mm period . I’m not a pro , Photograpy is a hobby , Leica is getting more expensive for normal peoples . If you can compare the 90mm apo and this noctilux would be excellent .

@stevenonyoutube Месяц назад

Misread the title and thought there is a $1300 summilux lol

@carrieannkouri2151 4 года назад

The bokeh in those images is delicious.

@andriykovach2736 3 месяца назад

In the meantime Dune and Batman movies are shot on soviet era Helios lens...haha

@IanKnight40 4 года назад

Be very careful you don't drop the lens again!!

@nickdigrispino2409 4 года назад

Can’t afford a used Leica let alone a new one. I do have a Soviet copy, a FED 2.

@terryallen9546 4 года назад

Perfect images.

@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard 4 года назад

Thank you, Terry :-)

@ibrahimz 3 года назад

I get second to none for my portraiture with my APO 90mm f2.0 ASPH on my M10M. Honestly, I do not see a reason to get this one.

@fraserhalscheid7777 4 года назад

Hi Thorsten....I dropped my 75 Noct as well the same way. Can’t believe this happened to you as well. I glad u mentioned it because I thought it was very strange. Bent the frame and need to send back to Germany thx Fraser @lifethruourlenss IG Keep up the great work!

@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard 4 года назад

It's just something about how the lugs meet the strap rings when the camera is in that position. Rather simple, but disturbing. Will figure out a fix.

@fraserhalscheid7777 4 года назад

Magic Of Light Thanks Thorsten...I’m just pleased that you explained it because I though I was losing it. My 75 Nocti fell on the hard wood floors in our house and left a dent in the floor LOL. Lens is so tough though and just bent the casing a bit and no issues at all with M9P. Tough stuff

@prakashpatankar3805 4 года назад

Classic but to costly all Leica 🌹🌹🌷🇮🇳🌹🌹

@markorchard2272 4 года назад

A Zeiss Otus 100/1.4 is better and half the price!\

@Narsuitus 3 года назад

Does Zeiss make a Leica M-mount for this lens? I could only find it for Nikon and Canon cameras.

@nelsonclub7722 3 года назад

When you say better......?

@ucevrim 4 года назад

forget photography tell us how you made your money.

@nelsonclub7722 3 года назад

Pros like myself and Thorsten make money through photography it's often by immersing yourself professionally into your passion which has its own rewards beyond money though. For instance I can work when I want, I met my wife through photography - she was a model and of course our passion pays for itself - win win win. You just have to make the leap, unless of course you already earn enough money or maybe more money doing something else?

@eyeeyeoh 4 года назад

Leica is not a photographer's tool. It is an item of luxury, often unuseful and unusable. Like a sportscar that you keep in your garage and only drive around town at 30 to 50 speed limit. These lenses are ridiculous, they are way too heavy, difficult to focus, they block your viewfinder and they are expensive to the point where you can buy a bunch of other cameras instead.

@weizenobstmusli8232 4 года назад

I whould say, if you want compact but super high quality optics, Leica is the way to go. Also, if you want to use zone focusing. You say, it is not a photographers tool. Look how many successfull photographers use Leica. I admit, that it is not for every task. But everything people, reportage, personal, street, fashion, style, Leica is very usable.

@TheVFXbyArt 4 года назад

Public Administration I disagree, and I’m a working class joe, meaning paycheck to relative paycheck, not a typical Leica tax bracket. I was using a $300 canon nifty fifty with CA issues, then graduated to a $900 voightlander nokton f1.5 50. Better but still CA issues wider than f2.8. A buddy lent me a 30 year old 50 summilux to test out and it beat the nokton. Did research and found out the f1.4 summilux was what I was looking for: low distortion for portraits, very well controlled CA for OOC FINISHED images. Folks say CA can be fixed in software. I noticed that it’s laborious and causes shift in other colors. I was also interested in getting ooc results to share instantly and, paired with a fuji x-t3 body, small form factor. I shoot canon for studio work, but use the ‘lux/fuji x-t3 Combo for my personal work, some pro. The new canon glass ain’t cheap either: $2100-$3000+, depreciates faster than a BMW driven off the lot, depreciates more as the mark2, 3, 4 version comes out. They are commodities. High tech, image stabilized, silent af motors, huge, optically advanced works of modern utility to the best of that epoch until the mark 2 comes out. Amazing but as disposable as most other techs like last years iPhone. Is Leica a luxury brand? Of course, they had to be to survive and thrive. Their lenses can’t compete on any computerized tech, composite plastic for lightness ( in fact the heavier version are more expensive) , no image stabilize, no eye AF, no blah blah blah. But they are a precision tool. Like a manual stick car, some people like that level of handling vs an computerized manual automatic will paddle shifting. Leica leverages that near 100 year heritage and delivers, albeit at a price. We’re irrational chimpanzees! Fact, though, I know a lot of people who burnt a lot of lettuce going from canon to Sony then back to canon because of who knows what...daddy issues.. they are both very capable camera systems. I know a lot of loaded dudes that may go through Leica special editions bodies like they are newspapers, but they hold on to their glass. Why? My canon/fuji/Sony peeps are so spec driven, that a tighter eye AF, or an additional fps, or omg 8K video makes them lose their mind. With at least a Leica lens, there’s no new model in two years. You don’t get caught up in feature FOMO because there aren’t any. You just get the most optically and mechanically built lens that physics would allow at that time. Very German I might add. So I won’t knock anyone that says “harumph” Leica lenses are too expensive. You have the Chinese banging out quality glass for 1/20th the price. Sure they distort like fun house mirrors and CA like an acid trip wide open, but you can correct most of that in software. But to claim Leica is not a photographers tool and only a item of luxury is nuts. A luxury photographers tool? Yeah maybe, but still a precision, mechanically perfect photographer tool, one that goes up in resale value!

@weizenobstmusli8232 4 года назад

Not to forget if you want an classic lens look in your pictures without using an artfilter. Leica M sensors are layed out so that classic rangefinder lenses work best with these sensors (special microlense array). So you have a real technical advantage in using an M body on old lenses.

@weizenobstmusli8232 4 года назад

If you are interested in Leica pros, look up Magnum photographers. Many of them are Leica users.

@filibertkraxner305 4 года назад

Not in my experience. I have taken pictures with many types of cameras, from DSLRs to a 18x24cm wooden camera from the 1930s. Still do, actually, and they all have their place. But out of all of these, I prefer my Leica M's. That has zero to do with luxury or appearance, but everything with the simplicity of using an M. But it's definitely not for everyone, nor for all purposes, and that's ok. I agree with you that this 90/1.5 is a bit too big for the camera. I have an old 90/2 that I love, but I prefer the balance of smaller lenses. Oh, of course I'd never pay 13K for any lens, but you can shoot Leica with much cheaper lenses and be completely happy.