75mm Summicron owners.

[bpalme]

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How do you folks like your 75?

The photos on Flickr are blowing me away with the sharpness and color like 50 Summilux ASPH.

I was a 37 / 67(28-50) focal length shooter with the M8 and kinda find myself wanting to go back to that. I love 50mm but find myself wanting a bit longer.

[akiralx]

A very good lens, similar in look to the 50 Summilux-ASPH - but I got rid of my 75 Summicron after shooting it alongside the 75 Summarit for a while: smaller, lighter, cheaper, better focus action, and performance frankly indistinguishable.

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[CalArts 99]

I recently sold mine but primarily because I found it to be a focal length I never ended up using. I originally purchased it for a project in mind. But I found it kind of big and heavy and ended up preferring just using a 50mm and my own two feet instead.

 

It's a very nice lens and I'd highly recommend it if you want that focal length. I personally didn't like using those small frame lines and it can be a bit difficult to focus precisely wide open. But it's definitely sharp. Although it can be somewhat clinical looking with digital, imho. The OOF is nice but not super, super smooth and perhaps a bit artificial looking sometimes.

 

If you're primarily doing people (portraits) with it, it will certainly do quite well with its sharpness, depth of field and compression.

 

So it was somewhat of a mixed bag for me personally. Probably doesn't help much, but there it is.

[01af]

I like the 75 mm focal length so much I ended up owning all three—Summilux, Apo-Summicron Asph, and Summarit. Originally I didn't want a 75 mm but got one as a stop-gap because I wasn't able to locate a decent 90 mm lens at the time (which was what I actually wanted). But then I quickly fell in love with this focal length on the M9.

 

However I hate the Apo-Summicron, even though it technically has the best image quality of the three. But the focusing throw is ludicrously short, the built-in hood is ridiculously short, and the lens tends to flare. So mine is for sale ... no-one needs three 75 mm lenses anyway. I very much prefer the Summarit as well as the gorgeous Summilux.

[wattsy]

and the lens tends to flare.

 

It's a phenomenally sharp lens but I too have found the 75mm Summicron quite prone to flare – so much so that I assumed my lens was faulty.

[Rick]

75 Summicron - Had it (2007), loved it, never used it, sold it.

 

75 Summilux - Have it, love it, still have it, still love it.

[digbyhp]

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Another 75 cron AA fan over here. As above, very sharp but for travel I am increasingly leaving it at home in favour of the more compact 50s. Never had an issue with nailing focus wide-open, but then I'm a film M user. Agree with the comment on frame-lines (at least on a 0.72) as at 75 they are starting to get a bit small IMO. But would never sell it - is just a gem to have in the arsenal.

Edited July 31, 2012 by digbyhp

[algrove]

That DNG B&W picture of the fisherman that Jono Slck posted from using the Monochrome M in China was taken with a 75 Summicron. Download it and blow it up and you see how scary sharp his handheld shot was.

[bpalme]

People say the Noctilux is hard to focus. And it is if course harder but I learned what it wants and have a good hit rate. Can someone say how the 75 compares with regard to "hard to focus"?

 

Also the comment above about being indistinguishable from the summarit ...anyone concur with that?

[lct]

It is my only 75 so i cannot compare it to others but i find it a superb lens on my M8.2 when i need sharp and contrasty results. Matches perfectly modern Leica lenses like 24/3.8, 28/2, 28/2.8 asph, 35/2 asph or 50/1.4 asph IMHO. Its main flaw is its more or less useless hood but same critics can be made to other M lenses with sliding built-in hoods to be honest. I haven't got flare problems with the 75/2 so far and its short focus throw is an advantage for me but YMMV.

[01af]

People say the Noctilux is hard to focus.

Yeah

 

People who never used a Noctilux keep saying so—but they stop saying it as soon as they actually tried it.

 

 

Can someone say how the Apo-Summicron-M 75 mm Asph compares with regard to "hard to focus"?

Much harder to focus. In fact, next to impossible at portrait distance. So with this lens, I quickly developed the habit to focus only coarsely and then fine-adjust the focus by swaying the body back or forth.

 

 

Also the comment above about being indistinguishable from the Summarit ... anyone concur with that?

Definitely not. Both are very good so in terms of image quality you can safely replace one with the other—but they clearly are not indistinguishable.

[algrove]

I have read people say they do not like the rubber-like focus knob on the Summarit versus non-summarit lenses. These comments come from users not used to the Summarit focus knob. I tried one at a dealer and must say I concur that the focus felt a bit strange to my grip versus my familiarity with Summicrons/Summiluxes grips. In fact my fingers slipped a bit on it at first. Once I gripped harder then no slipping.

[johnbuckley]

I don't recognize the criticism of the 75 Summicron. I do not find it hard to focus (and I don't particularly find my Noctilux 0.95 hard to focus, though I did find the 1.0 tricky.). What I find compelling about it is that it is both sharp and renders color in a manner I believe is different from, for example, the 50 Summilux. In fact, its rendering of color in landscape photography in bright light is, to me, as special a look as the bokeh of the Nocti. I'm not kidding.

 

It is true I don't use the focal length that often -- I have to remind myself to take it instead of another lens. But as for whether it is one of great Leica lenses, I put it right up there with the 50 Summilux Asph and the 35 Summilux FLE.

[erl]

The 75mm Cron is probably my first 'goto' lens! I find it's angle of view to be superior compared to a 50mm for achieving 'normal' vision. When your eye perceives a motif, you are usually concentrating on the central part of your vision. That is what a 75mm sees.

 

Yes, the frame lines are crappy, pragmatically just get used to it because that's how it is.

 

Focussing is a short throw and if you are impatient, you will 'over' throw. Try discipline to control it. It is different from the Noctilux to focus because the Noct has a long throw, therefore is slower to focus. Neither is difficult to focus, just requiring a disciplined understanding of how the mechanics of each lens functions.

 

All Leica built in lens shades are crappy, pandering to compact design rather than optical design. This is possibly the source of some complaints about flare.

 

Learning to 'drive' it properly is very rewarding.

[Jeff S]

I learned how to "drive it," but still hated the 75 frame lines, so I sold it and happily use the 50 Summilux instead on my M8.2 for an equivalent 67mm FOV.

 

But while I had it, I didn't have flare or focus problems. The aperture ring did once loosen too much, but Leica NJ adjusted it suitably. Fine lens.

 

Jeff

[hoppyman]

Mine is my favourite M lens of all. I find the focus action precise and accurate. Some personal preference comes into that aspect of handling no doubt. I've only had a very limited play with the Summilux but I much prefer the APO Summicron ASPH in that respect. Actually in every respect.

I have never observed any focus shift with it either. That is a quality I value in the modern designs. Mine is superbly accurate in focus in more critical conditions.

 

It's possible to make any lens at all flare with, for example, a strong light source directly into the front element. However I cannot recall ever inducing that with my APO Summicron 75 ASPH. I just checked and I have shot about 2000 frames or so with it.

Dr Ted Grant, Canadian Master photographer photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com

Lluis Ripoll, Catalan photographer photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com

 

Mine is typically used for portraits (head and shoulders distance) but you can go right in close for more drama effect.

http://www.pbase.com/hoppyman/image/138448964

Bec eyes photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com

Isabelle (Izzy) Faith photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com

Make Up Artist at work photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com

 

but also for close ups (e.g. flowers because the close focus distance gives a useful magnification.

Wild Iris photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com

Wide open, minimum focus distance.

L1015620.jpg photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com

Edited August 1, 2012 by hoppyman

[bpalme]

Thanks Geoff.. and nice samples.

[Paul J]

Owning both the Noctilux .95 and Summilux 75 I would say the 75 has more difficult achieving critical focus. The summicron is apparently harder due to the small throw on the focus barrel. It is harder to focus mostly for the crazy thin depth of field but also in part, due to the extra magnification and you notice out of focus and movement a lot more. I don't go under 250th if I want critically sharp on the 75. Blur from movement is simply more magnified and appears larger with longer focal lengths. Hand holding is certainly fine though.

 

That said the Summillux is one of my favourite lenses. Second favourite next to the 50. But it is a demanding lens that keeps you on your toes. The Noctilux rarely comes off my M9 but the Summilux offers closer portraits and it's the real reason I bought it but find my self using it for much more. It has a look very similar to the Noctilux albeit with classic colour rendering. Mine has a cyan cast which while easy to remove does bug me a little. There is something to be said for the colour of the modern asph lenses you speak of. Clean, fresh and clear.

 

The Summilux is ridiculously sharp stopped down. Wide open it is sharp but I do find myself wanting of more sharpness and contrast for certain things and will most definitely buy the Summicron at some point in the near future. I would never sell the Summilux though and would probably use it more as it suits my tastes but there really are times that I want the critical sharpness that the APO has on offer.

 

I investigated Summarits recently and never found an image that compared in colour and contrast to the summicron which is far more important to me than sharpness and for which it is not that much sharper.

 

If I were to chose it would be the summilux but preferably to own both. If ultimately you want biting sharpness and the modern rendering you speak of go for the Summicron.

 

edited to add - I really don't find the Noctilux hard to focus at all. The 75mm Summilux is certainly more demanding to achieve critical focus. Not hard, but demanding. It's not a lazy lens you need to constantly find and refind focus. A 1.4 magnifier helped me greatly and got my hit rate up by quite a bit.

Edited August 1, 2012 by Paul J

[Paul J]

Mine is my favourite M lens of all. I find the focus action precise and accurate. Some personal preference comes into that aspect of handling no doubt. I've only had a very limited play with the Summilux but I much prefer the APO Summicron ASPH in that respect. Actually in every respect.

I have never observed any focus shift with it either. That is a quality I value in the modern designs. Mine is superbly accurate in focus in more critical conditions.

 

It's possible to make any lens at all flare with, for example, a strong light source directly into the front element. However I cannot recall ever inducing that with my APO Summicron 75 ASPH. I just checked and I have shot about 2000 frames or so with it.

Dr Ted Grant, Canadian Master photographer photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com

Lluis Ripoll, Catalan photographer photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com

 

Mine is typically used for portraits (head and shoulders distance) but you can go right in close for more drama effect.

Bec's close up photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com

Bec eyes photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com

Isabelle (Izzy) Faith photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com

Make Up Artist at work photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com

 

but also for close ups (e.g. flowers because the close focus distance gives a useful magnification.

Wild Iris photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com

Wide open, minimum focus distance.

L1015620.jpg photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com

 

Nice samples Geoff. That flower photo is incredible and a great example of what the summicron has on offer. Super sharp, super smooth and tres luscious colour.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[sarav]

I own APO and Summarit ones, they are both wonderful lenses. The first is not so big, not so heavy, super fast to focus and precise, quality is probably on the highest side of all Leica lenses. The second is lighter and so cheaper you don't mind using it in dirty location, very near to oil, smokes, waterfall...Image quality is very high, with very very good oof rendition but the overall sensation watching the photos is that they are a little clinical and not palpable. I'm talking about personal thinking, my opinion is that both lenses are winner, the first is an overall winner, the second is...a second one.

 

Sara