Summarit 75mm - any opinions

[Siiimonn]

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Hi folks,

 

While on holidays here in Hong Kong I am going to treat myself to a new lens.

 

I am missing a 75 from my kit and I am thinking about purchasing a Summarit 75. Has anyone had an experience with this lens or an opinion about this lens.

 

Btw, Leica has a real high end marketing and sales presence here in HK, with 2 flagship boutiques and countless quality stores selling Leica equipment with high visibility.

 

Also, there is a huge marketing war here in the compact interchangeable lens camera market. Every time you turn around there is a giant billboard promoting the Nikon 1, the Sony Nex, the Samsung equivalent etc

[akiralx]

Yes, excellent lens, alongside the 35 Summarit the best in that range. I shot the 75 alongside the 75 Summicron and then sold the latter.

 

Very nice wide focusing ring with ideally weighted action.

 

You will have to buy the hood separately (attach it by unscrewing a retaining ring on the front of the lens) - it also reverses for storage.

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[250swb]

You might want to look at Sean Reid's review of the Summarit. He acknowledges it is a fine lens, but comparing it to the the 75mm CV f2.5 concludes that is as good, for far, far less money. Differences come down to tiny choices about how you like the rendering of each rather than one or the other being better.

 

Steve

[Keith (M)]

An excellent and somewhat under-rated lens (there does occasionally seem to be a snob element that decries the Summarit range). If you search this forum for 'Suumarit 75mm' you will find reports of people's experience with and examples of this super lens. Here is one to get you started...

[colonel]

There is no dud lens in Leica's current range

 

They are all excellent.

 

Its usually just a question of aperture and money

[Ecaton]

I had the Summicron 75 and the Summarit 75 and sold the former. The Summarit is an excellent performer and since I do not use the focal length often, I settled for the "lesser" of the two. Advantage Summarit, size, weight, short focus throw, price. Advantage Summicron, slightly faster, integrated lens hood, maybe better build (?). As far as rendering/optical performance is concerend, I doubt anyone could tell a difference in a blind test.

Edited November 15, 2011 by Ecaton

[Rick in CO]

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I have owned both the Voigtlander 75/2.5 and the Summarit 75/2.5 and find images with the Summarit to be much sharper and have more contrast and clarity. The only thing I don't like about the Summarit is the attachment ring for the hood which must be removed to use a 46mm filter. Mine has stuck in cold weather giving me some frustration. A generic 46mm hood, sans the ring, was the solution.

[lars_bergquist]

I too have owned both the 75mm Voigtländer lens and the 75mm Summarit. The Summarit wins hands down, especially wide open and around the edges and corners. The Summarit is a brilliant lens, and its resistance to flare and reflections is very good indeed.

 

Now that was with a M8 (and I tried it on film too). But that M8 was the only reason why I bought the Summarit was exactly the M8. With a full frame sensor, I have no use for 75mm lenses, so I sold the Summarit. (And if anybody thinks that this was because it was a lowly Summarit, I did exactly the same thing with my 28 MM Summicron ASPH.) Both 28 and 75mm are no-go lengths for me.

 

The old man from the Age of the 7.3cm Hektor

[hofo100]

Like it very much. Excellent quality. If you like some examples: Here is a blog-entry where all photos are taken with the M9 + 75 summarit.

 

Regards, Holger

[Fgcm]

Summarit 75 is a great lens. I use it with no hood most of The time.

Before purchasing The hood, try it without.

Franco

[wda]

I agree with above observations. It is a super lens bought for use with my M8 and now used occasionally on my M9. I was tempted to sell it and get a 90 when I upgraded. But I am very glad I did not. My only 'gripe' concerns the wretched frame-lines in the viewfinder. But I have adapted to them and get excellent results.

[Jeff S]

Puts also (favorably) reviews all the Summarits here.

 

Personally I just don't like using the 75 frame lines, but I assume you've used your preview lever to ensure you don't share the concern.

 

Jeff

[cbretteville]

I like the 75 Summarit. On the M8 I find the corners that are the frame lines hard to use, they're much better on the analogue Ms where they're longer and unlike Lars I actually like a 75 on full format. The Summarit makes a great companion for a 35 in a two lens kit when traveling.

Carl

Edited November 15, 2011 by cbretteville

[Jeff S]

The Summarit makes a great companion for a 35 in a two lens kit when traveling.

 

My 28 Summicron asph and 50 Summilux asph serve a very similar purpose (FOV) on the M8.2, while allowing me to avoid the 75 frame lines. Plus I like these lenses better than my 35 and 75 Summicrons, so I sold the latter when I gave up my film Ms. Different strokes, but similar intents.

 

Jeff

[Siiimonn]

Thanks greatly for all your help and suggestions. I will let you know how I get on.

[inzite]

I got and first used my summarit a month ago on my honeymoon, it is quite a nice lens given that you have room and light to work with. i found the sharpness at f2.5 in the center great and contrast/bokeh is decent, the focusing ring is just right interms of friction and size is reasonable for a long lens. Focusing takes a bit to get used to but the decent focusing ring helps quite a bit. I use mine without a hood. I think this lens is very under rated. You will enjoy yours alot.

 

L1004272 by inzite, on Flickr

 

L1004562 by inzite, on Flickr

[drdannn]

Love the summarit 75 on my m9.

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