here is why i am keeping 50/1.4 pre-asph and selling 75/2 as my m8 portrait lens

[misha]

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75 'cron - rather different. More subdued and smoother - technically "better" by the definition (no bright rings), but not as sparkly and interesting if used the way you used your 50 f/1.4.

 

IMHO

 

The 75 Summilux (on an M9 or film body to keep the generally short tele framing and subject/background relationship the same) is probably the closest match to what you captured in your shot. Not surprising, since the 75 Summilux optics are based on the 50 Summilux pre-ASPH design (at least according to Leica lens designer Peter Karbe, Erwin Puts, and LFI).

 

Two samples below with both 75's at full aperture (labelled) and as close to your subject/background distances as I can find in my M9 files. If the background in the 'cron shot had been busier, it might have closed the gap a little, but I think the 'lux would still be the closer match.

 

I'm coming to find that in some ways I prefer "bad" bokeh - at least the way Leica did it 20 years ago. It adds an edginess and vibrancy and a little extra background separation in the right kind of light.

 

yep, at the end of the day (in some situations) its about the 'wow' factor and for my taste, pre-asph 50/1.4 gives me more of it than 75/2

 

misha

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MISHA FRIEDMAN