Help! Which would you prefer if...

[andalus]

I recently bought a silver MP, but I can only afford ONE lens right now, and I want essentially a "standard" lens, or something close to it.

Which would you prefer, ignoring slight cost diferences, if you had only one lens choice:

the 50mm Summilux ASPH or the 75mm Summicron ASPH APO? Which lens in your opinion is likely to hold its value the most?

Thanks for any opinions, views and reasons.

[imported_peter_m]

You should buy the lens to use not as an investment

Peter

[rob_x2004]

If you have only one lens to use in a verity of situations then 35 will cover more bases.
That 75Cron asph is a pretty specific lens, and maybe even a bad choice to learn a rangefinder with.

[j. white]

Between the two, 50 is a far more useful focal length than 75. Given the nature of recent pricing fluctuations and my interest in Leica's products as a user rather than collector, I can't really comment on their respective value retention.

[andalus]

Well, it's really not about value retention. I wonder if anyone can comment on performance of the 75 vs the 50? Yes, I figure the 50 would offer more latitude of use, but does the APO aspect of the 75 make the imagery that much better? I shoot mostly slides, Velvia the film of choice, and mostly landscapes.

I am just coming back to Leica M after some time away with SLR's. In the 60s and 70s and 80s I had a number of Leicas.... At 60, I'm looking for a simple, easily totable outfit, working as an editor mostly in Vietnam.

[j. white]

I see... Apochromatic correction, that is the ability to resolve all color frequencies equally on the film/sensor plane, generally becomes important only with longer focal lengths. In fact, I cannot think of a single 50mm lens from any manufacturer with an APO designation. In this regard, there should be no dispute between the capabilities of the two lenses.

From what I've read, the 75 APO Summicron is derived from the design of the current 50 Summilux and both are reported to draw in a similar, highly corrected fashion at all apertures and focusing distances. I can speak from experience with the 50 - it is a terrific lens.

Enjoy your time with the system. It is both challenging and rewarding.


-J.

[usefeet]

I have both lenses, and if to choose only one, then it's very easy, ..the current 50 Summilux.

BTW, image quality is about the same.

[stunsworth]

Both are outstanding, recent lenses. You'll be more than happy with the optical performance of either.

Of the two lenses I'd go for the 50mm if I were to have only one lens. The 75mm is just that little too long for a one lens system IMHO. Another lens to consider would be a 35mm Summicron/Summilux, personally that's what I'd chose.

[Naos]

Ditto on the 50 ASPH. It's the best lens for "all around usage". It will retain it's value until Leica introduces a new version and it will be much easier to sell than the 75.

[imported_peter_m]

For a one lens kit I would go for the 50 but like Steve suggested the 35 cron is a excellent lens.

Peter

[rob_x2004]

Originally Posted by Naos

Ditto on the 50 ASPH. It's the best lens for "all around usage".

You will probably have to cut it some slack in Vietnam though.

[andalus]

Thanks for the replies. Looks like I will try to sell the 75 APO ASPH. I bought the 50 yesterday and really cannot keep both due to financial constraints. This 75 is mint, in original box with manual. It is three years old, went largely unused. Black. It is not, however, coded. Anyone interested please contact martinxlove@gmail.com.

[darkstar2004]

IMHO, get the 50/1.4 ASPH. It will have a much more broad spectrum of usefulness than the 75/2.

I wuold get the 50/1.4 first, and then a 35/2 (or 28/2) and then either the 75/2 or the 90/2 as funds allow. With that lens set, you will have the bases covered for 90% of everything you would ever want to shoot.

I wouldn't even think in terms of which lens is the best "investment" - Leica cameras and lenses are about imagemaking, not moneymaking.

[rontr6]

Hi
I've a 35, a 50 and a 90 plus a couple of CV very wideangle lenses, my main interest is landscape and I find the lens I use by far the most is the 35 f2.
Ron

[steed]

Forget investment with relatively everyday stuff like this. The odds are you won't lose money if you buy well, and you may come out a little ahead, but this is not the kind of return that enters the realm of investment.

I think the 50 is by far the best lens to start with, though many (maybe most like the 35). The 50 is wonderful for portraits; step back and it is wide enough. It is unwise to start with anything longer unless your use of the camera is going to be highly specialized. Good luck.
John W