In 1961, Leica unleashed the world’s first 35mm f/1.4 lens—the Steel Rim. Not merely a tool, but a manifesto in brass and glass. This 300g unicorn (1961-1966) redefined “luxury” in optics, its nickel-plated steel lens hood locking into milled grooves with Swiss watch precision. Today, surviving specimens trade for 8,000–8,000–15,000, not for their optics, but as mechanical haikus from an era when lenses were forged, not assembled.
Walter Mandler was pretty bummed when the first generation Summicron 90mm lens didn’t take off because of its size. He came up with the second-generation Summicron 90mm f/2, which was a huge hit. The optical design stayed the same from 1980 to 1998, which is pretty cool because it shows how important the E55 version lens was in history. Despite all the advances in technology, the later 90mm lenses with ASPH and APO technology just couldn’t get any smaller or lighter, so the E55 version was a popular choice.
Given how it’s used, I think the second-generation Summicron 90mm f/2 E55 or E49 version is the best fit. These lenses aren’t too old and can be found in good condition, which makes them both economical and affordable. The E55 version has a great design and is almost the same size as the 90AA, but it’s lighter. It produces sharp portraits when it’s wide open and sharp landscapes when it’s stopped down one stop. In short, the E55 version offers the same quality as the pricier 90AA, making it a great choice.
Weight of the 90mm lens
While the Summicron 90mm fi-generation lens initially met my image quality standards, its size became an issue, so I ended up selling it. As someone who uses a Leica M, I understand the importance of lens size. However, after investing more money, I got the second generation E55, which has revolutionized my view of 90mm lenses. This version is much more portable, and the F2 aperture is impressive.
90mm is a peak
When it comes to photography, there’s often a difference between what we want to capture and what we can actually do. This gap is often represented by a mountain of cameras and lenses, which can be tough to overcome. Some photographers have managed to climb over this mountain, while others have gotten lost in the valleys below.
In the world of Leica photography, it is very common for users to have multiple 50 mm and 35 mm lenses and a 21 mm or 28 mm wide-angle lens. However, only a few opt for the 90 mm lens. This shows the special place of the 90 mm lens in the world of Leica lenses. So why make it?
With the rise of high-pixel-count cameras, the 90mm lens might seem less important. After all, you can get the same field of view by cropping an image taken with a 50mm lens. But by looking at things through a 90mm lens, you can see things in a whole new way. The 90mm lens has a more focused field of view than the 50mm lens, which makes it great for getting the subject in focus. This makes it a great lens for portraits and close-up shots. But as Saul Leiter shows us, a 90mm lens can also be used for street photography. It can capture the elegant interplay of light and shadow in a way that sparks the imagination.
Even though there are some challenges to climbing the peak of the 90mm lens, the rewards are worth it. This lens offers a unique perspective that can open up a whole new world of possibilities in photography.
90mm lens focusing
It can be tricky to get the hang of focusing with a 90 mm lens without the right technique. By the time you get the focus just right, the ideal moment to shoot may have passed. I’ve put together a few useful tips for focusing with a 90 mm lens.
To speed up your focusing time, set your focus to 5 meters and estimate the distance between your subject and yourself in advance. As a general rule of thumb, you should be able to get the distance between you and your subject right around 10 meters for distant subjects and 2 meters for close ones.
Using an M3 body can be a good idea because it has a magnification of 0.91 and a super-large focusing screen. You might also want to think about getting a viewfinder magnifier to help you focus more accurately.
leica summicron-m 90mm f2
Code: SOOZI(screw mount, removable le lens head) SEOOF 11123(screw mount, built-in lens hood), S0OZI-M(bayonet), SEOOF-M or SEOOM 11123 (bayonet), ZOOEP 11133: lens head onl Serial#:1,119,001-n/a ly Total production: n/a Maximum aperture: 1: 2 Focal length(nominal): gomm Angle: 270 Minimum distance: 100cm Weight: 685 grams Filter: E48
In a world chasing featherweight primes, the 1969–1980 Leica Summicron 90mm f/2 “Big Head Nine” looms like a vintage Cadillac Eldorado—unapologetically massive, mechanically sublime, and dripping with analog charm. Priced between 500–500–1,200 (2025 USD), this 700g brass-and-glass titan proves that sometimes, bigger really is better. Think of it as the Marlon Brando of lenses: imposing, unforgettable, and utterly uncompromising.
Design: Swiss Watch Meets Steam Engine
Tactile Theatre
Hood Sorcery: The retractable hood deploys like a Rolls-Royce umbrella—each millimeter of travel dampened with Swiss-watch precision. Modern plastic hoods? Amateur hour.
Body: Polished chrome (silver) or vulcanite-clad brass (black)—dense as a Dickens novel, balanced like a Broadway diva.
Generational Quirks
V1 (Silver): A disco ball on your camera—blindingly gorgeous, blindingly reflective.
V2/V3 (Black): Chunky dual focus/aperture rings—like wearing two Rolexes on one wrist. Quirky? Yes. Stylish? Debatable.
Stopped Down: At f/5.6, microcontrast rivals Ansel Adams’ zone system—every eyelash, wrinkle, and stray hair sings.
The “Three Truths”
Focus Throw Zen: The long helical focus demands Cartier-Bresson-level patience—a meditative antidote to spray-and-pray culture.
Handheld Havoc: At 1/90s, it’s a sobriety test for your hands. Fail? Embrace the watercolor abstraction—call it impressionist mode.
Who Needs This Lens?
✓ Portrait Purists: Who believe soul > autofocus ✓ Nostalgia Alchemists: Turning leaden weight into golden imagery ✓ Contrarians: Who’d bench-press this lens for bragging rights
Avoid If: You shoot street, hike mountains, or think “vintage” means “eBay flip.”
Final Verdict: The Unapologetic Classic
The Big Head Nine isn’t a lens—it’s a statement. For the price of a weekend in Vienna, you gain:
A masterclass in Mandler-era optical sorcery
Proof that “impractical” often means “irreplaceable”
“A lens that whispers: ‘True character isn’t measured in grams, but in gravitas.’”
Pro Tips:
Tripod Love: Use it—your neck (and sanity) will thank you.
Film Pairing: Kodak Portra 160—its creamy palette harmonizes with the lens’ oil-painting bokeh.
Zen Mantra: “Slow is smooth, smooth is sharp.”
Epilogue: The Titan’s Whisper Leica’s Big Head Nine scoffs at trends, whispering: “Greatness isn’t measured in grams or gigapixels—it’s etched in brass.” Like a Tang dynasty ink painting, its beauty lies in bold strokes, not tiny details. Now go paint your masterpiece. 🖌️
