Leica APO-Summicron-M 90mm f/2 ASPH Review: The Telephoto the M EV1 Was Made For
Disclosure: I own the Leica APO-Summicron-M 90mm f/2 ASPH reviewed here. I purchased it with my own funds and am not sponsored by Leica or any other camera or lens manufacturer. All opinions are my own.
As a photographer stepping into the legendary Leica M-System, you quickly realize that while the brand is built on a century of history, the experience of using it today is anything but antiquated. One of the most revered tools in the Leica kit is the Leica APO-Summicron-M 90mm f/2 ASPH, a lens that represents the pinnacle of optical engineering.
While the 90mm focal length is often considered “difficult” on traditional rangefinder cameras due to the tiny focus patch, my journey with this lens took a modern turn. In fact, one of the primary reasons I purchased the Leica M EV1—a camera that swaps the traditional optical rangefinder for a high-resolution electronic viewfinder—was specifically to master the Leica APO-Summicron-M 90mm f/2 ASPH. The ease of manual focusing with an EVF compared to an optical focus patch completely changes the utility of this lens.
Introduction
The Leica APO-Summicron-M 90mm f/2 ASPH is not just a lens; it is a statement. For decades, it has been the gold standard for what a short telephoto lens should be. In the world of Leica, where “Summicron” signifies an f/2 aperture and “APO” denotes apochromatic correction (the highest level of color accuracy), this lens is designed for those who refuse to compromise on clarity.
What is the Leica APO-Summicron-M 90mm f/2 ASPH?
At its core, the Leica APO-Summicron-M 90mm f/2 ASPH is a high-speed telephoto lens designed for portraiture, street photography from a distance, and theater photography. Its optical formula is a marvel, featuring five elements in five groups. It was the first lens of its kind to combine apochromatic color correction with an aspherical lens surface.
In layman’s terms, “APO” correction means that the lens is designed to bring three wavelengths of light (red, green, and blue) into focus on the exact same plane. This eliminates the “purple fringing” or color blurring often seen in high-contrast shots. Combined with the aspherical (ASPH) element, which corrects for distortions, you get a lens that is as sharp at its widest f/2 aperture as it is when stopped down.
Build, Design, and Handling
Holding the Leica APO-Summicron-M 90mm f/2 ASPH is an experience. Weighing in at approximately 500 grams and measuring 78mm in length, it feels substantial—dense, like a solid block of glass and brass.
The design is classically Leica:
- Built-in Lens Hood: The telescopic hood slides out and locks with a firm twist, providing immediate protection from flare without the need for extra accessories.
- Focus Ring: The focus throw is longer than a typical 50mm lens (about 140 degrees), allowing for the micro-adjustments needed when shooting at f/2.
- Aperture Ring: The ring features satisfying half-stop clicks from f/2 down to f/16, allowing for precise control over your depth of field.
It uses a standard E55 filter thread, and while it is “large” by M-mount standards, it remains remarkably compact compared to equivalent 90mm lenses from other manufacturers.
In Use on the Leica M EV1
This is where the magic happens. On a traditional Leica M camera, focusing a 90mm lens at f/2 is a high-wire act. The depth of field is so thin that even a slight movement can throw your subject out of focus. This is the main reason I opted for the Leica M EV1.
The Leica M EV1 features a built-in 5.76-megapixel electronic viewfinder (EVF). Unlike an optical focus patch, which requires you to align two ghost images, the EVF allows you to see exactly what the sensor sees. With focus peaking (which highlights sharp edges in color) and 10x magnification, focusing the Leica APO-Summicron-M 90mm f/2 ASPH becomes effortless. You are no longer guessing if the eyes are sharp; you can see the individual eyelashes snap into focus. This modern pairing turns a “difficult” lens into a reliable daily companion.
Empire Mine State Historic Park
The Empire Mine State Historic Park in Grass Valley stands as one of the oldest, deepest, and most productive gold mines in California history. Operating for over a century from 1850 to 1956, it extracted approximately 5.8 million ounces of gold from a massive network of underground shafts that eventually reached depths of 11,000 feet. Today, the park preserves the industrial legacy of the Cornish miners who pioneered hard-rock mining techniques, alongside the elegant Bourn Mansion and its manicured gardens, offering a stark contrast between the grit of the subterranean tunnels and the opulence of the “Gold Era” estate.
Image Quality
The image quality of the Leica APO-Summicron-M 90mm f/2 ASPH is often described as “clinical,” but in the best way possible.
- Sharpness: It is incredibly sharp from corner to corner, even at f/2.
- Bokeh: The background blur (bokeh) is buttery smooth. Because it is a 90mm lens, the compression makes the background melt away, creating a beautiful separation between your subject and the world behind them.
- Micro-Contrast: This lens has a way of rendering textures—the weave of a sweater or the details of skin—with a lifelike 3D quality that is synonymous with the Leica “look.”
- Color: Thanks to the APO correction, colors are vibrant and true-to-life, with no distracting chromatic aberrations.
Who is the Leica APO-Summicron-M 90mm f/2 ASPH for?
This lens is for the photographer who wants the best of the best. If you are a photographer who loves portraiture or capturing candid moments from across a street, the Leica APO-Summicron-M 90mm f/2 ASPH is unparalleled.
It is particularly suited for users of the Leica M EV1 or those using M-lenses on mirrorless systems via adapters. If you have ever felt frustrated by the limitations of a rangefinder’s optical patch when using longer lenses, this lens—paired with an EVF—will be a revelation.
Final Thoughts
The Leica APO-Summicron-M 90mm f/2 ASPH is a masterpiece of optical design. While its price and weight are significant, the results it produces are worth every penny and every gram. By pairing it with the Leica M EV1, I’ve found a way to enjoy the world-class optics of the 90mm APO without the technical stress of traditional rangefinder focusing. It is a lens that doesn’t just take photos; it captures moments with a clarity that feels almost more real than reality itself.
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