gromit Posted July 18, 2006 Share #1 Â Posted July 18, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) Does anybody have (seen or made by himself) a comparison test (with pictures) between the Voigtlander Color Heliar 75/2.5 and the Summicron-M ASPH 75/2.0? I really would like to complete my set with a 75mm lens, and I know the Leica is perfect, but the price difference is completely outrageous (at least US$ 2000,- versus US$ 300,-). Â Although I prefer to have the Leica (my budget is limited to second hand Leica lenses) I don't know how long I have to wait, because the market for second hand 75mm summicrons does not exist, at least I haven't seen one. Â So how does the Voigtlander stand up against the Leica, or does anybody have another suggestion? Â Thanks for your help. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 18, 2006 Posted July 18, 2006 Hi gromit, Take a look here Color Heliar 75/2.5 versus Summicron-M ASPH 75/2.0. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
leicameter Posted July 18, 2006 Share #2 Â Posted July 18, 2006 I made a comparison test Color Heliar 75/2.5 versus Elmarit-M 2,8/90 wide open on slide-film. I did not see any noticeable differences, but I did no flare tests. On testing I realized, that the Color Heliar 75/2.5 is not 2,5. It is very close to 2.8, so it's nearly one stop slower than the Summicron-M ASPH 75/2.0 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grober Posted July 18, 2006 Share #3 Â Posted July 18, 2006 Unless your mortgage payment next month depends on its output, I would say that you'll probably be happy with the less pricey Heliar. I use two other Cosina 50's, the new collapsible Heliar and the older but fast Nokton, and have yet to be disappointed in either's performance. Â I've never shot with the 75 Heliar but I do have the 75 'Cron and previously also owned the 75 'Lux. (I didn't like the Summilux due to its considerable weight plus I rarely needed its f1.4 aperture.) Â The 75 is a focal length I like quite a lot; great for taking portraits of couples or small groups. Add a 28mm or 35mm lens and I have a complete yet still compact travel kit! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adan Posted July 18, 2006 Share #4 Â Posted July 18, 2006 See this: Â http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00CCDV Â Big difference in minimum focus abd tightest framing. Â The aperture progression is f/2, f/2.2, f/2.5, f/2.8 - so even if the Heliar is a true f/2.5, it's still 2/3rds of a stop slower. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisweeks Posted July 18, 2006 Share #5 Â Posted July 18, 2006 one of my friends lets me test -- my own kind, not the puts kind -- the voigt's ... Â they seem to lack the contrast i'm used to with my leica glass. Â that said ... i still love their 15mm! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adan Posted July 20, 2006 Share #6  Posted July 20, 2006 Gromit: Local store happens to have a used 75 Heliar, so I shot this test just for you!  Fuji Acros 100 scanned at 4000 dpi. Samples show both lenses @ f/2.5 and f/8 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! 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/1750-color-heliar-7525-versus-summicron-m-asph-7520/?do=findComment&comment=16400'>More sharing options...
wbesz Posted July 20, 2006 Share #7 Â Posted July 20, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) Andy, good of you to do the comparison so quickly for Gromit, and what it really points to (in image making, -- not build quality, cost etc.) is that Leica lens is extremely good for wide-aperture use, whether for low light or for creative effects, ...if you need that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted July 20, 2006 Share #8 Â Posted July 20, 2006 Great comparison Andy. Any thoughts about bokeh? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cardinal Posted July 20, 2006 Share #9  Posted July 20, 2006 Walter, here is a shot with the 75 Summicron asph. I have the VC 75 too and it doesn't measure up to Leica's standards. Get the 75 cron. Reala film. 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! 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/1750-color-heliar-7525-versus-summicron-m-asph-7520/?do=findComment&comment=16412'>More sharing options...
wizard Posted July 20, 2006 Share #10 Â Posted July 20, 2006 Andy, Â thanks for your comparison. While I own a couple of Voigtlaender lenses myself (15mm, 21mm and 25mm) and do like them for their compactness, your comparison shows that optically there is quite a difference. What surprised me is that the difference even shows at f8! Where the Leica lens renders deep black, the CV 75mm is greyish, not to mention the overall crisper rendition of the Leica lens. It seems that you DO get what you pay for. Â Cheers, Â Andreas Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gromit Posted July 20, 2006 Author Share #11 Â Posted July 20, 2006 Andy, many thanks for your comparison test! The results are clear, and what I already read somewhere else is that the VC starts to become sharp from f5.6. If money wasn't an issue I would already had the summicron, but as said, the price difference is outrageous and second hand is not available. My aim is to get a two lens-kit (I already own the 35mm ASPH with a M6-TTL), so I think, shall I wait or shall I go for lesser quality. With the 35mm I took the decision to invest in the 'best', because I am convinced that Leica is all about low light shooting, and the second hand market for 35mm does exist (but still expensive), but with the 75mm I am in a doubt...(luxury problem, I know...) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
christoph_d Posted July 20, 2006 Share #12 Â Posted July 20, 2006 Hi Walter, Â The UK Black&White Photography Magazine tested the Summicron in issue 51 Oct. 2005 and was rather enthusiastic. They described the VC as obvious competitor that, while slower is also optically inferior, "...excellent though it might seem if you did not have a Summicron to compare it with". Â I do not own a 2/75AA but have handled them on various occasions. They really balance very nicely with the M, and I wonder whether, no matter what decision you take now, you won't ultimately end up with a Summicron, and, if this is true, whether it wouldn't be cheaper to save a bit more now for the Summicron, rather than ending up buying a VC (now) AND a Summicron (later anyway). Â Kind regards, C. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gromit Posted July 20, 2006 Author Share #13 Â Posted July 20, 2006 Hi Cristoph, I think you are right, but I definitely have to wait for second hand lenses, because I cannot afford (and I think there are other priorities) US$ 2000 for a lens, taking into account I already spent around US$ 1800,- for my (baby) M6TTL + 35mm ASPH....;-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
christoph_d Posted July 20, 2006 Share #14 Â Posted July 20, 2006 Hi Walter, Â No doubt the decision you make will be the right one, and, to make good pictures, the way you wield these lenses is much more important than ... Â Best regards, C. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adan Posted July 20, 2006 Share #15 Â Posted July 20, 2006 IMHO my test shows more how truly amazing the Summicron is. Most of my other Leica lenses would not hold up this well wide-open scanned at 4000 ppi (equivalent to 18.5 megapixels) Â The Heliar is still a quite decent lens - on a par with a Canon or Nikon medium-speed medium-tele - in a very small package. Â As to 'bokeh' - LCT - see my previous link to my mini-review on photo.net - good sample of portrait bokeh there. IMHO both lenses are well on the 'good' side (some variation with subject/background distances, but rarely 'bad' in either case). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gromit Posted July 20, 2006 Author Share #16  Posted July 20, 2006 Hi Andy,  Could you give some comment on the difference between the VC Color Heliar and lets say a Nikkor 85mm/2.0 SLR lens. I am asking, because I have experience with a Nikon FE2 SLR camera and the above mentioned lens, and although the summicron is superior (and probably the best lens there is), maybe the VC is still worth while considering...  Thanks again  and BTW, what was this local store asking for the second hand Heliar you used in your test? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adan Posted July 21, 2006 Share #17 Â Posted July 21, 2006 It's been so long since I used the 85 f/2 Nikkor AIS. I guess the Heliar is similar in that both are quite good stopped down and a bit weak at full aperture. Based purely on memory, I think the Heliar is a bit sharper at f/2.5 than the Nikkor was at f/2 - but they are so separated in time that I wasn't even using the same films with each. Â I have not had a chance to stop by the store again to check the Heliar price. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hektor Posted July 22, 2006 Share #18  Posted July 22, 2006 Dear Gromit,  I have owned the Voigtländer Color-Heliar 75mm F2.5 MC for three years and been delighted with it. When projecting I can intersperse slides taken with Leica lenses and the difference is not noticeable. In character it reminds me of the Tele-Elmarit (I). It is a good lens.  Recently I bought the Leica Apo-Summicron-M ASPH 1:2 / 75 ASPH, and to be fair have only shot one roll of slide film with it so far, however initial observations are that it is definitely superior to the Voigtländer lens.  The difference is hard to describe, and impossible to show with a jpeg image on a monitor, however there is a certain luminosity, colour purity and sharpness without being harsh that is immediately apparent with the 75mm Apo-Summicron-M.  If you are cautious with your money, the Voigtländer will not disappoint you, however if you can throw financial caution to the wind, the Apo-Summicron-M is worth it.  Have fun.  Justin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hektor Posted July 22, 2006 Share #19  Posted July 22, 2006 PS With the arrival of the Apo-Summicron-M ASPH 1:2 / 75 ASPH, my Voigtländer Color-Heliar 75mm F2.5 MC will be sold, if anyone is interested. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rvaubel Posted July 22, 2006 Share #20 Â Posted July 22, 2006 Hektor How much? Is your Heliar the black or silver version? Â Rex Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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