Summicron 90 preASPH or Voightländer Heliar 75 F/1.8

[Twilight]

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Hi everybody

 

I started with a summicron 90 preASPH, adored the look of it but lusted for a summilux 75 because of the shorter focal length and ultimate bokeh/look. I got the summilux 3 years ago and liked/like it a lot. Portraits of my wife sitting very still were great, but in the mean time I have moving children too...

Last week I have sold my Summilux. I had too much trouble nailing focus on the moving subjects (especially children) at F/1.4 and maybe also at F/2 (maybe some focus shift) and therefore too much missed "decisive" moments.

 

Now I am looking into following options:

 

- Summicron 75 APO F/2.0 - pin sharp, great color, great all rouder, maybe harsher on portraits (but for children maybe less important?), short focus throw but maybe not so an issue to me (tried it in a store)

 

- Voightländer 75 heliar F/1.8 - sharp enough for portraits? (when is it is so at F/2 I am all right with that)

 

- Summicron 90 preASH F/2 ... again, liked it a lot but longer focal length and color can be less vibrant in comparison to the APO's

 

I was especially wondering how the Voighländer performs on portraits. Is it sharp enough, are CA an issue?

Also, the summicron 75, is flare a real issue or is it more a rare phenomenon?

 

Thank you very much for every input.

Edited December 18, 2016 by Twilight

[otto.f]

You don't consider the CV 75/2.5? Color Heliar it's called I think. It is Voigtlander's first 75 and perhaps a bit hard to get I recently discovered but a beauty in portrait, a sort of soft sharpness so to speak. It's not that heavy, I don't know what your context is where you want to use the portrait lens in.

Personally I never liked the Summicron 90, because of it's weight, I always preferred the 90APO if I would have to carry, and it is not that harsh as the 75cron.

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[otho]

I have APO 75 & APO 90. Like results very much. Both are magnificent portrait lenses, but maybe too razor sharp in some circumstances.

Heliar 1.8 have also very good reputation, but is soft from 1.8 to 2.0:

http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2014/04/29/the-voigtlander-75mm-f1-8-heliar-classic-lens-review-by-johnny-ciotti/

 

http://maciejgalas.fotoblogia.pl/9288,voigtl-nder-heliar-75mm-f-1-8-classic-test

 

Summarit 75 or 90 are also very useful for portraits works (it doesn't matter which version: 2.5 or 2.4 - new have bit shorter minimal focus distance). Not only in M system, but additionally in Sony A7 they works without issues.

Edited December 18, 2016 by otho

[lct]

No experience with the CV 75/1.8 sorry.

As far as my f/2 lenses are concerned:

- Summicron 75/2 apo: As you said except that i don't feel it as an harsh lens on young portraits. Short focus throw is not a problem on EVF. On RF it requires concentration because the lens is so sharp that the least focus inaccuracy in visible on digital. Flare is not a serious issue in my experience.

- Summicron 90/2 apo: Same as 75/2 apo more or less with even more concentration required on the M240 at f/2. On the M8.2 better shoot at f/2.8 at least for good hit rates due to the crop factor. No serious flare issue.

- Summicron 90/2 v3: As you said. A bit soft at f/2 and plenty sharp above. One of my favorite lenses for portrait. Only problem is CA with this lens. No serious flare issue.

- Summicron 90/2 v2: My favorite 90 ever. Same as 90/2 v3 with a bit more sharpness at f/2 and no CA problem at all. But it is a bulky lens, significantly more so than 90/2 apo and v3. No serious flare problem either.

Otherwise i would not rule out the Summarits 75/2.5 (no experience with 75/2.4) & 90/2.4 which are my best compact 75 & 90 ever at the only exception of the Macro-Elmar 90/4.

[NB23]

You've got your theory and concepts all wrong.

[michaelwj]

You've got your theory and concepts all wrong.

Another wonderful contribution to the forum. Thank you for your well thought out response. Now we will all eagerly await your supporting information.

 

Why do you bother with us mere mortals?

[NB23]

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Another wonderful contribution to the forum. Thank you for your well thought out response. Now we will all eagerly await your supporting information.

 

Why do you bother with us mere mortals?

Do I really come across this way? And there I was, believing that the OP was running a joke on us.

You know, different cultures and point of views is a real phenomena.

 

As to the op's question, my answer is simple: why the bouzouki did you sell your 75 if you're looking to purchase another 75?

[michaelwj]

Do I really come across this way? And there I was, believing that the OP was running a joke on us.

You know, different cultures and point of views is a real phenomena.

 

As to the op's question, my answer is simple: why the bouzouki did you sell your 75 if you're looking to purchase another 75?

 

Honestly?

Not always, sometimes, and here, yes.

 

Now, the OP did say why they sold their 75/1.4. Of course, we don't have to agree with that reasoning. 

My thought process when I read the original question was:

1. Had pre-asph 90 summicron. Too big.

2. Had 75 summilux. Too hard to nail focus wider than f/2.

3. Wants to try something else in the range for portraiture.

Therefore, my answer is:

 

If it was too hard to focus the 1.4/74 wide open, then you don't need/want a fast lens.

The 1.8/75 is about the same size as the pre-asph 2.0/90 (the 75 is 3mm shorter, 4mm thinner, and 50g lighter).

The 2/75 is very sharp, too sharp is a matter of taste(?).

Therefore, in Leica the 2.4(2.5)/75 summarits should be considered, along with the 90mm summarits, and the 2.8/90 (Elmarit-M and tele-elmarit).

In Voigtlander, how about the 2.5/75? 

[Universalb50]

I've never noticed flare with the Summicron 75; it's just a very demanding-to-use lens to get it's full potential? I'd fear your experience will be same as with your equally spectacular Summilux?

 

Although others will disagree, VC lens in my experience (very limited: only one Ultron 35/1.7!) have suboptimal mounts.

 

Have you considered the very distinctly unsexy but inexpensive Elmarit 90/2.8?

[otto.f]

I thought about the latest Elmarit 90/2.8 too. I don't find this latest version unsexy at all. It has a bit more bite than the 75lux, but harsh... no

Edited December 19, 2016 by otto.f

[lct]

Re latest Elmarit 90/2.8. Excellent lens indeed, no significant flaw, solid as a tank but somewhat bulky and a bit soft at f/2.8 compared to the Summarit 90/2.4. Its built-in hood is more handy than the screw-in one of the Summarit which is more compact w/o hood than the Elmarit though.

[spydrxx]

I've been experimenting in the last few weeks with the VC 75/2.4, having owned two Summicron 90s in the past. While I really liked the Crons' rendering, I have to say that the VC 75 suits my needs much better, and its size, weight, and relatively fast focusing are real benefits.

[Twilight]

I Will look also into VC 75 but anyone experience with the Voightlander 75/1.8?

 

Thanks lct for the comments on the Summicron 90 preAsph. I did not know about the less CA of the version II, but it seems a very bulky lens.

 

 

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[lct]

[...] Thanks lct for the comments on the Summicron 90 preAsph. I did not know about the less CA of the version II, but it seems a very bulky lens. [...]

 

Indeed but what a lens!

 

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[sblutter]

+1 for the Voight 75 2.5 as a portrait lens

[Dan Bachmann]

+1 for the Voight 75 2.5 as a portrait lens

My top choice as well for portraits unless it is an environmental shot which I'd reach for a wider focal length.

 

 

 

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