Which 75/1.4 Lux - Germany or Canada

[M8China]

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I have lusted over the 75/1.4 Lux a long time and recently just found a shop with two copies - a late Germany made lens s/n. 3866xxx and a Canadian one with s/n. 3223xxx. Externally both lenses look the same.

 

The German copy has a bluish coating but with a faint white ring on the inner surface of the last lens element, presumably an early fungus growth, but which I think could be cleaned by an expert. This lens focused spot on when tested with an object at about 2 meters, wide open at 1.4. The white ring does not seems to affect the quality of the pictures.The price is about US$1.5k more than the Canadian copy.

 

The Canadian copy is spotless with no growth on the glass elements, but back focus about 2cm, at every F-stop including 1.4. The coating on the glass is yellowish.

 

Question -

 

1. Though many do not think so, but is Germany copy really better than the Canadian copy in picture quality and build?

 

2. What explains the difference in color of the coatings? Does it affect color rendition?

 

3. Can the back focus to cured by adding a shim to the back plate or any tweaking of the back focus mechanism? If this could be achieved I will definitely go for the Canadian copy.

 

I would appreciate any input that can help me make a decision.

 

Thanks,

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[rami G]

I have a Canadian for 6-7 years already... at a certain point the lens' focus went totally off, and I had a few rounds of calibration... in my RD-1 days I didn't use the lens at all and then, with the M8.2 I decided to sent to to Leica again... this time I got a perfect calibration and the lens matches the M8.2 perfectly. So I guess perfect calibration is feasible. I don't tend to touch fungus lenses, I guess it is much more risky than getting a focus problem. And this lens originally was manufactured in Canada and there was no design change when it moved to germany (some hood changes? coating changes?), but the regardless of any changes, the great reputation the lens gained over the years was when it still being manufactured in Canada.

 

 

I have lusted over the 75/1.4 Lux a long time and recently just found a shop with two copies - a late Germany made lens s/n. 3866xxx and a Canadian one with s/n. 3223xxx. Externally both lenses look the same.

 

The German copy has a bluish coating but with a faint white ring on the inner surface of the last lens element, presumably an early fungus growth, but which I think could be cleaned by an expert. This lens focused spot on when tested with an object at about 2 meters, wide open at 1.4. The white ring does not seems to affect the quality of the pictures.The price is about US$1.5k more than the Canadian copy.

 

The Canadian copy is spotless with no growth on the glass elements, but back focus about 2cm, at every F-stop including 1.4. The coating on the glass is yellowish.

 

Question -

 

1. Though many do not think so, but is Germany copy really better than the Canadian copy in picture quality and build?

 

2. What explains the difference in color of the coatings? Does it affect color rendition?

 

3. Can the back focus to cured by adding a shim to the back plate or any tweaking of the back focus mechanism? If this could be achieved I will definitely go for the Canadian copy.

 

I would appreciate any input that can help me make a decision.

 

Thanks,

[Gerard]

I recently aquired a late V1 (Canadian with detachable hood and 60mm filter) and, while it has taken me a while to get used to its focusing quirks; I absolutely love it.

 

Personally; I'd avoid a lens that has any form of damage to the glass or coatings.

 

Don't dismiss the V1 just because it wasn't made in Germany. I actually prefer its look over the German made item with slide out lens.

[Guest Chris M]

IMHO, NONE I don't like the inherent issues associated with either lens. You can do a search here in the forum and find out quite a bit on both of these lens, also try DPreview. Go for the 90 APO ASPH CRON you won't regret it;) it does it all with a beautiful Draw to boot.

 

IMHO,

 

chris m.

[k-hawinkler]

Here http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m9-forum/122598-advice-needed-75-mm-lens.html you find additional opinions about this lens.

 

K-H.

[ho_co]

M8C--My 2¢ worth: I have a Canadian 75/1.4, 3224xxx. Built-in hood, blue coatings.

 

... Can the back focus to cured by adding a shim to the back plate or any tweaking of the back focus mechanism?...

Don't tell the repairman his job. My suggestion is not to tell a lens technician to "add a shim" and certainly don't use a term like "tweaking the back focus mechanism." That's like asking an auto mechanic to "adjust the losing-control-at-high-speed mechanism."

 

Can the back focus be cured? Yes, definitely, but I don't know what they do. Whatever the focus difficulties of the Canadian lens you've looked at, Solms can rectify them.

 

The color of the coatings doesn't influence image color. Those are anti-reflection coatings to reduce internal reflections. Sometimes Leica changes them.

 

I was very happy with my 75 on film. On the M8 it was excellent at infinity but exhibited really horrid back focus at middle distances. It went twice to Solms for adjustment; it's fine now.

 

If there's an incipient fungus problem on one of the lenses, I would avoid it.

 

My only dissatisfaction with the lens is that it's big and heavy--but how else would one build a high-speed long-normal design? Although I don't carry as much stuff as I did thirty years ago, the 75 Summilux is almost always in my bag.

 

From what you've said, I'd go with the Canadian in this case.

 

An aside: The dealer may be setting a high price on the German lens just to differentiate it from his other sample. Maybe six weeks after the Canadian lens is sold, the German lens' price will drop a bit. Conversely, after the German lens is sold, the Canadian version's price may rise a bit.

 

Now don't quote me on the following, because I'm the lousiest bargainer around, and a salesman can see me coming. But some people might try a gambit like, "Well, I think your price is too high for the Canadian lens. That's the older coating. I'd buy it for $300 (name your own number) less."

 

Good luck, and let us know!

[Gerard]

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IMHO, NONE I don't like the inherent issues associated with either lens. You can do a search here in the forum and find out quite a bit on both of these lens, also try DPreview. Go for the 90 APO ASPH CRON you won't regret it;) it does it all with a beautiful Draw to boot.

 

IMHO,

 

chris m.

 

Searching here is a great idea; you'll find plenty of support for the Lux! It's luminocity and creamy bokeh are superb, and by F8 it is razor sharp. That said, if a 90 works for you... go for it - they sure are cheap right now. Best to trial both and go with your heart.

 

Here's a couple of recent shots taken with my V1 Lux. The more I use it, the more I love it.

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[jaapv]

Iirc the german version is relatively rare and for some obscure reason deemed more desirable. That makes them overpriced for anybody but collectors imo.

[M8China]

I have finally decided against buying it from this shop, so I am looking for the legendary lens again, but this time I figured that I should personally visit any shop and try it on the spot with my M8.2 before buying. I think even buying from eBay or other web-based shop is risky re focus shift problem. Any one has good experience buying from the net and which is a good shop?

 

My 90/F2 AA has good rendition and bokeh but a bit too long for M8.2, it will be good for my future M9!

 

I searched the forum and gained quite a bit of insight on this lens, thanks for all the input and valuable advice from members.

 

Rgds,

[Ecar]

Bought my 75 Lux on eBay a while ago. The lens was mint, but I sent it to Solms for CLA and coding (although the latter wasn't absolutely necessary).

Have been very happy with it ever since...

[jaapv]

I have finally decided against buying it from this shop, so I am looking for the legendary lens again, but this time I figured that I should personally visit any shop and try it on the spot with my M8.2 before buying. I think even buying from eBay or other web-based shop is risky re focus shift problem. Any one has good experience buying from the net and which is a good shop?

 

My 90/F2 AA has good rendition and bokeh but a bit too long for M8.2, it will be good for my future M9!

 

I searched the forum and gained quite a bit of insight on this lens, thanks for all the input and valuable advice from members.

 

Rgds,

Focus shift is always present... Any misfocus is easily corrected by any competent technician