skimmel Posted January 17, 2008 Share #1 Posted January 17, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am on the verge of picking up a used 75mm summicron. I have the 90mm APO 2.0 but am finding that I have a lot of trouble focusing this lens (even with the 1.25 magnifier). My plan is to sell the 90mm to help fund the 75mm purchase but am still a bit on the fence about the whole 75mm vs. 90mm thing. I also have a 50mm already. I realize this is another one of those "it's up to you" questions, but I'd like to hear about peoples' experience who have had both lenses with the M8. I'm really just trying to pick your brains a bit in my "just about to buy something jitters." So: - How often do you feel you're able to accurately focus the 75mm vs. the 90. - If you have the 50mm, how often do you find that you need/prefer the 75mm field of view? - Similarly, how often do you find that the 90mm is needed/preferred to the 75mm? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 17, 2008 Posted January 17, 2008 Hi skimmel, Take a look here 75mm vs. 90mm - how do you use them?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
DonWeston Posted January 17, 2008 Share #2 Posted January 17, 2008 Some users will tell you that you need both lenses. I feel the 75 and 90 are very close FLs, I have a 90mm 'Rit' and have no trouble using it. That does not answer your question. I used to own a 75 Lux on film and had no issues using that, but I was 20 yrs younger then. As far as focusing the 75 'cron will be easier for most people then the 90' cron, that means it should be easier for you, but there is no way for you to know for sure without trying it. Can you borrow it? Or buy it with return privileges? That is the only way to know for sure. Focal length wise, they are close, and having both seems a little redundant. But, YMMV.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Sprow Posted January 17, 2008 Share #3 Posted January 17, 2008 I find the 75mm to be a great portrait lens. The apparent perspective is similar to the 100 - 105 mm lenses for 35mm that produce very flattering images of the face and shoulders. Also, very easy to focus with the 1.25x magnifier. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustafasoleiman Posted January 17, 2008 Share #4 Posted January 17, 2008 don't walk... run to the shop to get the 75 summicron! Much easier to focus, much better for portraits, much smaller and lighter. Oh and I forgot to say that it's a great lens. If you don't need the f2 you may want to consider the Summarit 75 too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbretteville Posted January 17, 2008 Share #5 Posted January 17, 2008 I ended up with a current 90/2.8 and a CV75/2.5. At the price of the CV I can afford to let it spend some some on the shelf wo. getting a bad conscience. - Carl Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted January 17, 2008 Share #6 Posted January 17, 2008 90 was one of my favourites on film... and I started to use it a lot on M8... but really something is not as before... and I ended with the new Summarit : no doubt, focusing and framing are definitely better: about the FL in itself, really not so different, but my mood is that 75 is the right tele focal. Important is that I have also the excellent TE 135 : so THIS is now the TELE for me, in the sense that it requires calm focusing and framing, stable handling and so... 75 is a quick and light shooting. I do not discuss the superiority of Cron 75 vs. Summarit (never tried the Cron) but given your idea of funding the acquisition selling the Apo 90... why not thinking of Summarit 75 + Tele Elmar 135 instead of Cron 75 ? Probably less money (I do not think a used Cron 75 is cheap... a very recent lens) and give 1 - take 2 is a nice operation... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eoin Posted January 17, 2008 Share #7 Posted January 17, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Stephen, The only advice I can give is based on my own personal experience of these lenses. I originally had the 75 Summicron, I never warmed to the perfection in rendition this lens produced, I always found it too sharp and unforgiving (unflattering) for portrait work. I added a 50 Summilux Asph for the focal length and a 90 Summicron last Pre Asph for slightly softer tighter portraits. After using the 50 Summilux for a while I began to favor the slightly wider and more accurate framelines for composition over the 75 frames. I also found the lenses some what similar on terms of fingerprint. So the 75 was sold in favor of the 50. The 90 Summicron remains as a portrait lens, I have no problems in focusing it compared to the 75, infact I would consider the 90 with it's longer focus throw slightly more accurate in picking a given point. I have never once missed the 75 given the fact I have the 50 and can crop or change position if needed, the 75 and 50 frame lines are so close there is very little difference. Where as the 50 / 90 frame lines offers a vast difference in composition. I would check your focus of the 90 to make sure it is focusing correctly, perhaps the problem is with the lens and not you!. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted January 17, 2008 Share #8 Posted January 17, 2008 Stephen, I use the 75 'lux -- and find the STEER accessory required for easy focusing. Not expensive (and recommended by Guy!). Check it out at: www.leicagoodies.com Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack MacDonough Posted January 17, 2008 Share #9 Posted January 17, 2008 When I shot film, the 90 was my choice for a portrait lens. With the M8 I got a 75 2.5. I am keeping the 90 for the eventual M9. I don't use a 50 on the M8, I use a 35. The jump from 35 to 75 is what I needed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon_hughes Posted January 17, 2008 Share #10 Posted January 17, 2008 Like Carl, I also have the CV 75 f2.5 and a Leica 90 f2.8. I find that I use the 75 more often than the 90. I have two bodies, one with a 1.35X (Megaperls) and the other with a 1.15X which I find helps immensely for focusing. Generally, I'll have the 75 on one body and either a 21 or a 28 on the other. Overall, I'd say that I definitely use the 75 more than my 50's also. I'll use the 90 if I need to get that extra bit closer than the 75, but with the framelines, it's difficult to compose accurately and usually I'll chimp and re-shoot if necessary. FWIW, I used to use the 90 on my R-D1's but with a Leica 135mm VF and that worked quite well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pascal_meheut Posted January 17, 2008 Share #11 Posted January 17, 2008 - How often do you feel you're able to accurately focus the 75mm vs. the 90. I'm accurate most of the time with the 75mm, just like I was with the 90mm on a film M. With the 90, even the 2.8 one, I need the 1.25 magnifier and I'm spot on only 60% or 70% of the time. - If you have the 50mm, how often do you find that you need/prefer the 75mm field of view? I have the Summicron and I use it more often for portraits indoor or when I'm close to the subject. Outdoors, I prefer the 75mm. - Similarly, how often do you find that the 90mm is needed/preferred to the 75mm? Never. I stopped using the 90mm with the M8, I keep it to use with the M7. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted January 17, 2008 Share #12 Posted January 17, 2008 When I want a certain look the 75 lux and everything else the 90mm Summarit Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted January 17, 2008 Share #13 Posted January 17, 2008 75 lux goes with me always, with 135 Apo Telyt for shots where I need longer reach. I don't carry the 90 these days. Compared with working with the Canon 85 1.2 (I have the series 1 version) the 75 is demanding, but it gives lovely results when you get it right. I attach a couple of shots taken yesterday as part of a documentation of a meeting at the Houses of Parliament - 1. is with the lux, 2. is with the 85 f1.2 - first pair are at 320/400, second at 640/800 - VERY pleased with how well the M8 holds up. The great thing about the M8 and the 75 is that it weighs a third of a 1 series Canon + this behemoth of a lens. Best Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/42955-75mm-vs-90mm-how-do-you-use-them/?do=findComment&comment=454518'>More sharing options...
tbarker13 Posted January 17, 2008 Share #14 Posted January 17, 2008 I don't tend to spend a lot of time with a telephoto lens on my M8. But I find there are times when there's just no substitute for the extended reach and compression. My 75 lux is one of my favorite lenses, because of its rendering and incredibly narrow depth of field. I never say never, but it is hard to imagine selling that lens. However, it's too heavy to carry around when I want to travel light - on hikes or treks through a city. So basically, whenever I take an extended vacation and feel like I'll need a lightweight travel lens, I'll pick up a used 90 tele-elmarit or a 75 heliar. I think of it as a short-term rental. Buying used stuff, I find you can generally break even. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
skimmel Posted January 17, 2008 Author Share #15 Posted January 17, 2008 Thanks everyone. This is a great thread so far. Lots of very useful insights! A few thoughts: 1) The possibility of selling the 50mm and keeping the 75 and 90 is an interesting one. But the 50 is a 1.4 and I really like the option for speed. (For example, just took a trip with a 28 cron and 35 summilux, and, along with the different focal length, there were times when simply that extra stop made difference.) 2) Summarit: seems like a great lens. Looked at one at my local camera store and seemed pretty nice in hand. But, just that bit of extra speed may help and, for me, I like the look of the cron from the few comparisons I've seen. 3) The person selling the lens is very particular about his equipment (one of the reasons to buy from him!) so unlikely that I can borrow th 75. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
innerimager Posted January 17, 2008 Share #16 Posted January 17, 2008 The good news, as you know, is that whatever you decide you'll have great lenses! I have a 75 lux and cron, and 90 elmarit. I love the look of the lux especially wide open. I use it either for portraits, (for that look), or dim light/concert shooting when I need the reach and speed. I got the lux (used) first. I also got a used 90 elmarit, and purchased the 75 cron with my leica 30% rebate thinking I'd probably sell one of the three. For walking around, I have used the 90 a lot and it is superb. Extremely fast and accurate to focus, light, excellent image quality. I definitely take this on the road rather than the 75 lux. I have only just started to use the 75 cron this way, kind of hoping to decide that I can let it go. So far though, the amazing sharpness at 2.0 is just too wonderful to give up. It's close focusing is another advantage. I have the 50 lux asph as well, and find I don't go for it on the M8. The 66mm equivalent FL doesn't appeal to me. If I didn't have an M7, I'd sell the 50/1.4, but it lives on the M7! Did this help? I doubt it! ;>) best....Peter Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
skimmel Posted January 17, 2008 Author Share #17 Posted January 17, 2008 The good news, as you know, is that whatever you decide you'll have great lenses! I have a 75 lux and cron, and 90 elmarit. I love the look of the lux especially wide open. I use it either for portraits, (for that look), or dim light/concert shooting when I need the reach and speed. I got the lux (used) first. I also got a used 90 elmarit, and purchased the 75 cron with my leica 30% rebate thinking I'd probably sell one of the three. For walking around, I have used the 90 a lot and it is superb. Extremely fast and accurate to focus, light, excellent image quality. I definitely take this on the road rather than the 75 lux. I have only just started to use the 75 cron this way, kind of hoping to decide that I can let it go. So far though, the amazing sharpness at 2.0 is just too wonderful to give up. It's close focusing is another advantage. I have the 50 lux asph as well, and find I don't go for it on the M8. The 66mm equivalent FL doesn't appeal to me. If I didn't have an M7, I'd sell the 50/1.4, but it lives on the M7! Did this help? I doubt it! ;>) best....Peter Thanks Peter. That helps immensely! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kent10D Posted January 17, 2008 Share #18 Posted January 17, 2008 Like many others I own and love the 75 'lux, but find it too much of a brick (i.e. big and heavy!) to take everywhere. I do find the 75-mm focal length very useful on the M8 though, so I added a lightweight, inexpensive CV 75/2.5 to my collection and that goes along for "casual" shooting. The 'lux comes out for special shots, and in those cases it's definitely worth it. I have a 90 (Tele-Elmarit) which gets some time on my M6, but rarely on my M8. My usual 2-lens walk-around kit for the M8 is the Zeiss 25/2.8 and one of the 75s. That spread covers just about everything nicely. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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