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Summilux 75 m or Summilux r 80???


cabe

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Hi, I recently purchased a Leica M typ 240 with a Summicron 50 mm (latest version) and a Summicron 90mm (second version). I was amazed by the quality of these lenses and now I was thinking of adding to the kit one of the following lenses: Summilux M 75mm f1.4 or Summilux R 80mm f1.4 (with adapter ring).

Both lenses I have found are in very good condition but 80 R has a considerably lower cost.

What do you recommend? of course I have the EVF2 ...

Thanks in advance

Carlo

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Optically they are very similar, M lens is advantageous on current M camera as it can be focused optically through RF but as you said you can get R for significantly less, i am guessing probably half the cost.  Using R lenses on current M camera (M240/246) with current outdated EVF requires a bit of perseverance so unless you already have R lens my recommendation would be to go for M variant providing you can stomach the cost difference.  

 

This advice is valid for situation today, now, let's have another look at R lenses and future...  

 

Trend is to have cameras with improved EVF whether RF or mirrorless, purely RF cameras like M262 or M-D are just offshoots of fully specified M240 catering for die hard crowd.  I think R lenses will come into more prominence in the future as most probably future M cameras will have either built in or optional improved EVF similar to Leica Q or SL or even better.  So, using R lens would become easier than it is today.  Have a look at SL section of LUF, manually focused R lenses are all the rage.

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Thank you both for your answers!!!

@mmradman: you guess the price! 80 R I could to buy it for half...
 

The EVF2 of M is not the best (I also have a Leica Q with an electronic viewfinder that's another story ...).
I realize that I must consider well what choice do...

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The EVF of the M240 is indeed "not the best". However, I recently travelled with the M240, a few M lenses and the 28-90 Vario-Elmarit-R.

I actually managed surprisingly well with the EVF-2 and the R zoom and used this combination far more than I anticipated.

Edited by MarkP
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M-75mm is about 700g with both caps while R-80mm with R-M adapter and both caps is roux 900g, weighted without filters.

 

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Thank you all for the advice!

 

I am very undecided about which way to go.

 

On the current Leica M the ideal would be 75 lux, with 80 R should always use EVF and it scares me a little... Both are excellent lenses!

 

These days I used the 90mm Summicron preasph and I fell in love the surrender of these lenses designed by the great Mandler

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Thank you all for the advice!

 

I am very undecided about which way to go.

 

On the current Leica M the ideal would be 75 lux, with 80 R should always use EVF and it scares me a little... Both are excellent lenses!

 

These days I used the 90mm Summicron preasph and I fell in love the surrender of these lenses designed by the great Mandler

I tried lux-m before and lux-r recently, on my Sony A7ii, not leica, Lux-m was definitely awkward and front heavy, much expensive of course. As a result, I ordered lux-r. It is in the post :-)

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Optically I have a slight preference for the 75, practically too, apart from the extra adapter the 80 is a bit more bulky. The two 80's I owned had a more stiff focusing ring than 2 of my 3 owned 75's

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Native lenses are my preference.  In this case the 75mm will be usable with the rangefinder and EVF.  When using the 80mm/EVF you will need to be cognizant of the aperture set on the lens when focusing, of course this is the same as using M lenses/EVF but the 75mm gives you choices (with an M body) you don't have with the R.     

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The 75 Lux is pretty easy to sell if you need to. Why shoot a R version of the same lens which is heavier and harder to focus?

 

No contest, in my view. 

 

That said, be sure you have the right of return for the 75 lux. Check the calibration right away when you get it. Buy a clean lens, as it is not easy to CLA. 

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That said, be sure you have the right of return for the 75 lux. Check the calibration right away when you get it. Buy a clean lens, as it is not easy to CLA. 

 

I've had both and much prefer the 75. I bought one which was so far out of adjustment that it wouldn't focus  properly at all needed a full overhaul which was included in the price. It went to Leica and was serviced and coded and is now absolutely spot-on in terms of focus. So its probably not as difficult to CLA as all that, but I would certainly get Leica to carry out work as they will include a guarantee on it. The downside is that this will increase the cost of course and the 80 is easier to check and even use if slightly out of adjustment.

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You mean easier than 75/1.4 with a rangefinder i guess. No problem  with an EVF.

 

Yes - but a lens you can't use with a rangefinder is a much harder sell in the future because it is so obviously in need of a CLA.

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Thanks everyone for the advice!

 

At this point I think I'm going 75 lux! I contacted the seller, a German dealer, to see if the lens is properly calibrated (I would absolutely find a 75lux with no problems).

 

Now I see what he answers me...

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Good choice getting the 75 Summilux-M.  Although more expensive, it is smaller, lighter, more versatile (M-mount and EVF cameras) and will hold it's price if you need to sell it.

 

Irrespective of what the dealer states you will only know it's calibration accuracy when you start using it.

 

You will love this lens. It's like a better corrected 1.0/50 Noctilux with slightly more intimate framing.  

Edited by MarkP
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Focus accuracy of this lens can be checked easily by your dealer or yourself with an EVF. Less so with an RF, not to mention that your body and that of the dealer are not necessarily calibrated the same way. The best advice i can offer is to check the lens on your own camera if you can or to make sure that you can return the lens to the dealer for free.  

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