Leica Summarit-M 90mm f/2.4

Leica Summarit-M 90mm f/2.4

The Summarit-M 90mm f/2.4 is the most affordable telephoto in Leica's M lineup, conceived as a compact and lighter alternative to the larger and far more expensive APO-Summicron-M 90mm f/2 ASPH [1][2]. It belongs to the second generation of Summarit-M lenses, which Leica announced in September 2014 to replace the earlier f/2.5 range with a uniform f/2.4 maximum aperture, revised optics, and a new external design [3][4]. Reviewers have repeatedly compared it to Leica's discontinued Tele-Elmarit 90mm f/2.8, the so-called "Pocket 90," noting that the Summarit revives a similar combination of modest size and useful reach in a current production lens [1].

Optically the 90mm uses a five-element design in four groups, focuses down to 0.9 m, and couples to the rangefinder for accurate manual focusing [1][3]. Build quality is essentially all metal, with a smooth focus ring, an aperture ring that clicks in half stops, and tight assembly tolerances that match the rest of the Leica M range despite the lens sitting below the Summicron and Apo-Summicron in price and prestige [1]. The diaphragm uses eleven blades, the filter thread is 46 mm, and the lens is supplied with a screw-in metal hood and metal caps rather than a built-in hood; the small 46 mm filter size is shared with lenses such as the Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH [1]. At roughly the size of a fast 50mm, it is light and easy to carry, with a short focus throw that makes it quick to use for a 90mm [1].

The lens is offered in black and silver anodized finishes, carrying model numbers 11684 for black and 11685 for silver, and it is not six-bit coded for automatic body recognition [1][3][4]. Compared with the earlier Summarit-M 90mm f/2.5 it gains the slightly larger f/2.4 aperture and a closer minimum focusing distance, while otherwise continuing the same general rendering and handling philosophy [2][3].

Optical qualities

Rendering Documented impressions describe a modern rendering rather than a vintage one, with strong subject separation and a clean, contrasty look [1][2]. Reviewers report that the lens delivers high sharpness across most of the frame from f/2.4, with corners tightening only marginally on stopping down, so it remains usable throughout its aperture range [1].

Bokeh and transitions Out-of-focus areas are generally described as smooth and pleasant, helped by the eleven-blade diaphragm, with background detail blending away cleanly and a rendering that leans modern rather than classic [1].

Distortion and vignetting As a telephoto prime the lens shows little geometric distortion in practice, which makes it suitable for portraits as well as cityscape work [2]. Vignetting is visible wide open at f/2.4, is largely reduced by f/2.8, and is essentially gone by f/4 [1].

Flare resistance At least one reviewer reported no notable flare problems in use, to the point of often shooting without the supplied hood, though this is a single observation rather than tested data [1].

Digital use The lens has been used successfully on digital M bodies and, via adapter, on the Leica SL, where its compact size and easy focusing are noted as advantages [1].

History

Development and Launch Leica introduced the f/2.4 Summarit-M generation at Photokina, announcing the range on 16 September 2014 as a replacement for the previous f/2.5 Summarit-M lenses [3][4]. The family retained the same four focal lengths of 35, 50, 75 and 90 mm but moved to a common f/2.4 aperture, improved imaging characteristics, and a redesigned barrel, and for the first time the lenses were offered in both black and silver anodized finishes [4]. The 75mm and 90mm were the first to reach dealers, in September 2014, with the 35mm and 50mm following in October [3][4]. Leica positioned the 90mm as the versatile telephoto that rounds out the family, emphasizing its compact size and a closest focusing distance reduced to 0.9 m [4].

Production Evolution The most significant change relative to the previous model was the move from the older Summarit-M 90mm f/2.5 to the f/2.4 design, accompanied by the closer 0.9 m minimum focus and the new dual-finish availability [2][3][4]. Leica also began supplying the lens complete with a metal lens hood and metal cap as standard, where earlier Summarit accessories had been treated differently [2][4].

Special editions No widely documented factory special editions of the Summarit-M 90mm f/2.4 are known; the lens has been sold in its standard black (11684) and silver (11685) finishes [3][4].

Collector Notes Buyers should confirm which finish a given example carries, since the black and silver versions use different model numbers, 11684 and 11685 respectively [1][3]. The lens is not six-bit coded, so users relying on automatic lens detection on digital M bodies will need to set the profile manually. Because the metal screw-in hood and the two metal caps were part of the original package, collectors may wish to verify that these accessories are present and original, as the screw-in hood is a distinct feature compared with the built-in hoods of some older Leica 90mm lenses [1].

Sources

• [1] Finding Range. Leica Summarit-M 90mm f2.4 Lens Review. http://findingrange.com/2019/09/19/leica-summarit-m-90mm-f2-4-lens-review/
• [2] Steve Huff Photo. The New Leica 90 Summarit f/2.4 Lens Review on the M 240. https://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2015/05/11/the-new-leica-90-summarit-f2-4-lens-review-on-the-m-240/
• [3] DPReview. Leica replaces 'affordable' Summarit-M range with F2.4 lenses. https://www.dpreview.com/articles/7703037563/leica-replaces-affordable-summarit-m-range-with-f2-4-lenses
• [4] Leica Camera. New generation of the Leica Summarit-M-Lenses with improved performance and new design. https://leica-camera.com/en-US/Company/Press-Centre/Press-Releases/Photokina-2014/Press-Release-New-generation-of-the-Leica-Summarit-M-Lenses-with-improved-performance-and-new-design