Leitz Colorplan 90/2.5 [V2a]

Reviews

1. 

   16:9 – May 7, 2022

   Reviewed as a projector lens, Chasseur d’Images magazine awarded V1 and V2 Leitz/Leica Colorplans 5/5 for image quality. This later six-element [V2] is often said to be an upgrade over the five-element [V1]. As taking lenses, both are well known and relative bargains if you can live with the fixed f2.8 aperture.
   The [V2] is actually less sharp in Zone 1 than the older lens, but clearly improves on it in Zone 3. Its bokeh is also slightly smoother: with much less cat-eye deformation in Zones 2/3, and less of a ‘smeared’ quality. In fact, time and again, this lens was considered to generate the creamiest and most attractive bokeh of all the fast 90mm lenses: free of soap bubbles and often surprisingly painterly and well blended. The coatings are better, too – but of course, when using a lens like this, flare is a given (and not always unwelcome) part of the package.
   Don’t expect particularly impressive sharpness – especially away from its Zone 1 sweet spot, this version of the Colorplan resolves poorly even compared to the Rollei/Schneider and Agfa/Braun versions and so doesn’t rise above a Bronze rating, even though it outresolves the original Colorplan slightly centre frame at all distances. For a projector lens, chromatic aberrations are well controlled, too: this isn’t a perfectly corrected lens, but it’s not bad.
   Overall, the Colorplan deserves its reputation: for many it’s the first PJ lens to try. Fitted to the Leica’s Pradovit series it’s common enough, and at present prices, it’s almost inconsequential that it carries a small premium over lesser known but equally good alternatives. It therefore remains a top recommendation.