R 80 Summilux

[Hank Taylor]

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Already have the 75mm APO for my M9 but was thinking on getting a R 80 Summilux to put on a Canon 5D mark II. Do I really need this. Or would I be better off in just using my 80-200 Leica F4 with the Canon and when I need a fast lense use the 75mm with the M9

 

Hank

[topoxforddoc]

Hank,

 

The 75 cron and the older Mandler lenses (75 M lux and 80 R lux) draw quite differently. The Mandler lenses are wonderful portrait lenses and have great soft OOF highlights. I have both a 75 and 80 lux and wouldn't part with either. Some view the 80 lux as the R Nocti.

 

Best wishes,

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[Hank Taylor]

Hank,

 

The 75 cron and the older Mandler lenses (75 M lux and 80 R lux) draw quite differently. The Mandler lenses are wonderful portrait lenses and have great soft OOF highlights. I have both a 75 and 80 lux and wouldn't part with either. Some view the 80 lux as the R Nocti.

 

Best wishes,

 

Thanks Charlie, your input is appreciated, I agree. I was just not going to get two lenses that were that close to the same focal length. But because of the qualities of the 80 summilux , I can appreciate having a good portrait lens that allows me the ability to take advantage of the soft highlights. When I think about it, that's why I love my pre 35 and 50 summilux. It looks like I'll have to save up a little more money and go for the 80mm

 

Hank

[adan]

Hank - coincidentally, the question of the APO 75 'cron vs. the pre-APO 75 (and 50) 'luxes "look" came up here, with some image examples: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/people/126135-here-why-i-am-keeping-50-a.html

 

The 80 R is a kissing cousin to the 75 M 'lux, chronologically and optically.

[tobey bilek]

75 & 80 are twins, so if you like the 75, you will like the 80.

 

My 75 is APO sharp from around 2.5. So if you need a fast short tele for a reflex, this is the ticket.

 

I also believe in traveling light, so I would use the zoom for bright light, and the M9 for wide and 75 mm.

 

The freek that I am, I would probably buy the 80. Then it would sit more than it should.

[Hank Taylor]

Always burning a hole in my bank account,therefore I will probably end up getting the R 80 Summilux. Thanks guys for your input and help.

 

Hank

[thrid]

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There may be sharper 80's out there than the Summilux-R 80mm, but in my experience there are few, if any that draw with as nice a signature as the Lux does... It's got that Mandler glow in spades.

 

That said the Lux-R 80 is no slouch in terms of performance.

[dritz]

I'll provide the -nth endorsement of the 80. The comments that it isn't a "slouch" is kind of comical to me, as most of the R lenses aren't slouches -- they're just different in their qualities. The recent lesson for me comes from my haphazard use of the 19-R. You really have to find it's sweet spot in application to fall in love with it. I have enough of those images to confirm my love of it.

 

Best if you can shoot an entire roll with just a single lens, project the results (color & B&W (via dr5.com)) and then you'll start to feel the qualities. My wife has no interest in equipment but she is almost a savant in identifying the vintage of a lens through the projected image. The old adage of "You'll always regret selling any Leica lens" is true for those who have taken the time to understand how it speaks/sees.

 

The Mandler lenses speak quite clearly and with beautiful tone. Be sure to look for one that handles well... so even if you're a lousy photographer at least you'll enjoy the physical sensation of using such a jewel as the 80 (especially with a ground glass focus screen).

 

Dean

Seattle, WA

[lct]

Tempting indeed. How does the 80/1.4 compare IQ wise to the pre-apo R 90/2? Is it significantly bigger and heavier than the latter?

[pgk]

There may be sharper 80's out there than the Summilux-R 80mm, but in my experience there are few, if any that draw with as nice a signature as the Lux does... It's got that Mandler glow in spades. That said the Lux-R 80 is no slouch in terms of performance.

Canon's own 85/1.2 is outstanding wide open (I have one and also used to have an 80 Summilux). If you want stunning wide open performance then the Canon is hard to beat but equally needs very careful use to nail focus. The 80/1.4 is simply nowhere as clinically crisp wide open but does have a great deal more character! Stopped down, the 'lux is probably the better lens though as its overall rendering and wealth of fine detail is superb.

[thrid]

Tempting indeed. How does the 80/1.4 compare IQ wise to the pre-apo R 90/2? Is it significantly bigger and heavier than the latter?

 

The pre-APO 90 Cron is also a Mandler design and draws with a very similar signature to the 80 Lux-R

[roguewave]

Hank, the 80 Summilux is the finest lens in the R lens. Nothing else draws what it does, wide open. It's simply heaven, particularly with the DMR. It is my all time favorite lens on any system I have ever used. It is a MUST for the the R user.

[4X5B&W]

Have to agree, the 80 Lux is wonderfully dreamy wide open, clean and crisp, with fabulous colour when stopped down a little.

 

It is the Zeiss 110 Planar of 35 mm photography......pretty good company

[Hank Taylor]

Hank, the 80 Summilux is the finest lens in the R lens. Nothing else draws what it does, wide open. It's simply heaven, particularly with the DMR. It is my all time favorite lens on any system I have ever used. It is a MUST for the the R user.

 

Thank's Ben will be keeping my eyes out for this lens. By the way, have you used any of the Leica lenses with a Canon? I wanted to pick up a digital back for the R8 but decided instead to get the Canon D5 Mark II.

 

HANK

[pgk]

By the way, have you used any of the Leica lenses with a Canon?

HANK

Yes, and only with a Canon! I ran it alongside my Canon 85/1.2 and found it to be a fabulous lens stopped down but wide open I wasn't so wild about the magenta/green fringing (chroma) on out of focus highlight edges which could not be corrected by software. I also found it difficult to nail focus wide-open (this can be problematic with the Canon too) and would strongly recommend a focus confirmation chip on the adapter (talking of which I have a Leitax mount converter/adapter which I would thoroughly recommend). IMHO the 80 'lux is a lens of its time. It shows its pedigree and has characteristics which you can see as either flaws or assets. In the end I decided that I found the Canon to be more usable - not necessarily better - for my uses.

 

Here's a shot wide open from the Canon:

 

Paul Kay Photography Other 7

 

I'll try to find a shot from the 'lux as a comparison and post it too.

[roguewave]

Yes, and only with a Canon! I ran it alongside my Canon 85/1.2 and found it to be a fabulous lens stopped down but wide open I wasn't so wild about the magenta/green fringing (chroma) on out of focus highlight edges which could not be corrected by software. I also found it difficult to nail focus wide-open (this can be problematic with the Canon too) and would strongly recommend a focus confirmation chip on the adapter (talking of which I have a Leitax mount converter/adapter which I would thoroughly recommend). IMHO the 80 'lux is a lens of its time. It shows its pedigree and has characteristics which you can see as either flaws or assets. In the end I decided that I found the Canon to be more usable - not necessarily better - for my uses.

 

Here's a shot wide open from the Canon:

 

Paul Kay Photography Other 7

 

I'll try to find a shot from the 'lux as a comparison and post it too.

 

I have used the 80 Summilux on a Canon 5D II. Doesn't come even remotely close to what I get with the DMR. The Canon has a distinct look, much different from the color & fidelity of the DMR. I'm spoiled in that regard. I have been tempted by the Canon & Nikon, but just can't surrender my DMR quality images for those 2 cameras. It's not that they are poor instruments, it's just not the look I want. All the subtleties in color rendition, shading & bokeh are blown to my eye.

 

As Paul stated, stopped down it's a different matter, but the thrill is gone.

[Hank Taylor]

Thanks Paul and Ben, made up my mind and went ahead today I got a R 80 Summilux. Although I will be using it on the Canon I plan to also take advantage and start up the R8 with a new roll of film.

 

Ben, have not ruled out getting a DMR

 

Thanks

 

Hank