Paul J Posted June 13, 2012 Share #1 Posted June 13, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi all, I'm wondering how people who have or have used these lenses extensively feel about the difference between them. I have a Summilux, I'm very happy with it though I tried out the Summicron in the Mayfair store recently and was quite blown away by the detail it can record. Makes me wonder about the grass on the other side... I didn't bother trying out the Summarit as I had wrongly assumed, knowing nothing, that the Summarit wasn't that good but from what I understand it is is even slightly sharper? It may even be better compliment as the size is quite attractive. It's a focal length I use often and would consider owning both but having not tested it extensively along side the summilux I can't decide. I would use this additional lens when I need max resolution and resolving, when I'm shooting at f8 or so. And for when I want the smaller size I would rather just own the Summilux by it's self though. So my question to you is do you think I will see much more sharpness with a Summarit or Summicron at f5.6-11? I'm guessing not? Any other experiences or comparisons with the lenses? Much obliged. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 13, 2012 Posted June 13, 2012 Hi Paul J, Take a look here 75mm Summilux, Summarit and Summicrons. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Paul J Posted June 13, 2012 Author Share #2 Posted June 13, 2012 Sorry for posting this in the wrong section! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
larsv Posted June 13, 2012 Share #3 Posted June 13, 2012 Paul, This link gets you to Mr Puts' view on the Summarits: Summarit range Best Lars Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted June 13, 2012 Author Share #4 Posted June 13, 2012 Paul, This link gets you to Mr Puts' view on the Summarits: Summarit range Best Lars Thanks Lars, much appreciated. Yes I'd read that one and was one of the reasons I hadn't really given the summarit range much consideration as he recommends the summicrons for high quality images. Although I've read some things else where which challenge the findings and say the difference is negligible. A comparison on getdpi lead to the conclusion that the author was considering selling his Summilux and buying the Summarit. Don't want to get rid of the Summilux as it brings something else to the table. I've researched a fair bit over the varying sites and find mostly mixed reviews and feelings about all the lenses! Would be great to hear from anyone who owns or has owned the lenses and can give some personal experiences with them so I can balance it all up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brett Cambern Posted June 13, 2012 Share #5 Posted June 13, 2012 Guy Mancuso did a comparison on GetDPI. Here is the link: Leica 75mm Summarit Vs Leica 75m, Summilux - The GetDPI Photography Forums Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted June 13, 2012 Share #6 Posted June 13, 2012 I can only comment on the Summarit because I have little use for that f.o.v. on a 24x36 camera. I was interested in this focal length only when I owned a M8 (2007–2009) and then I did use a 75mm Summarit as my prime longer lens. I can only say that this is an excellent optic which I learned to trust in all situations. Its definition at all apertures is very good indeed, in fact all that this photographer is capable of extracting under realistic conditions, and I was especially impressed by its insensitivity to flare and reflections. It is all you need if you can make do with f/2.5 – and I am at present making do with a 90mm Elmarit-M at f/2.8 and feel no need for anything faster. A more expensive lens will not make you a better photographer (Mahatma Duffel's Collected Wisdom). The old man from the Kodachrome Age Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted June 13, 2012 Author Share #7 Posted June 13, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I can only comment on the Summarit because I have little use for that f.o.v. on a 24x36 camera. I was interested in this focal length only when I owned a M8 (2007–2009) and then I did use a 75mm Summarit as my prime longer lens. I can only say that this is an excellent optic which I learned to trust in all situations. Its definition at all apertures is very good indeed, in fact all that this photographer is capable of extracting under realistic conditions, and I was especially impressed by its insensitivity to flare and reflections. It is all you need if you can make do with f/2.5 – and I am at present making do with a 90mm Elmarit-M at f/2.8 and feel no need for anything faster. A more expensive lens will not make you a better photographer (Mahatma Duffel's Collected Wisdom). The old man from the Kodachrome Age Thanks Lars, Yes this is what I've come to understand also. And I would like to try the Summarit properly at apertures of 5.6-11. I would love to compare them to the summilux and summicron at those apertures too. My goal is absolute max IQ for 5.6-11 and this is when I'd use this additional lens. You're right, lenses don't take photos. But sharper lenses take sharper photos than softer lenses and sometimes that is what is needed/desired. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fgcm Posted June 13, 2012 Share #8 Posted June 13, 2012 HI Paul, If you try a Summarit 75, you realize how good it is. Have a look at two pics I posted in the past days in the pepole section of photo forum. Look for "italians love vespa" and "portrait" treads Summarit 75 is small, light, great performer. Try it. Franco Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblitz Posted June 13, 2012 Share #9 Posted June 13, 2012 i have the 90mm summarit and think it is a great lens. in fact, if you look at the previous edition of the LFI where they did a run through of all current leica lenses, the photo and story for the 90mm summarit is mine. when i look at these tests comparing the summarit to the lux to the cron my honest answer is that aside from the ultimate speed of the lens the differences don't seem that great as to get in the way of the photograph. in other words, a banal photo will look banal regardless of the lens. based on need for speed and need for cash and the size you want to carry around should be the determining factor because the differences are not, imho, distinctive enough to make a difference in the enjoyment of your photo. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knorp Posted June 13, 2012 Share #10 Posted June 13, 2012 Which of the two is more to your liking is definitely a personal taste, they are both excellent. But I do know I like the Summicron's short focus distance of 0,7 mtr as opposed to the Summarit's 0,9 mtr. Kind regards. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fgcm Posted June 13, 2012 Share #11 Posted June 13, 2012 HI Steve, very good photo on LFI. I agree with you. The balance of size, weight, speed and sharpness of the Summarit range is perfect for real photography. Of course, to shoot newspapers in the dark one needs a lens f 1 with a 400 LP with 80% contrast. When I realized that the only summilux I was using at least once a month was the 50 asph and that I was using most of the time the summarits and the tiny Elmarit 28 asph, I traded many lenses, including a summilux 35 asph. I kept 50 asph for low light and great performance wide open and I whant to try new Summicron. But summarits are my most loved lenses for real photography. Franco Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fgcm Posted June 13, 2012 Share #12 Posted June 13, 2012 HI Bart, I know, it's a metter of taste. I use 75 as a long 50. I rarely go as close as less then one meter because perspective is to close: big nose and small ears. For portraits, I think, a reflex with a 135 or longer at a couple of meters is more appropriate if only I could afford a S2 with a 180 for portraits...... I'm waiting for 6 Lucky numbers at lottery Franco Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
darylgo Posted June 13, 2012 Share #13 Posted June 13, 2012 A quick comparison of all lenses doing a landscape shot and tripod mounted: Sharpness: Summarit sharpest overall, including corners, Summicron next, Summilux last. The Summarit really surprised me here as it was the cheapest but sharpest. Contrast: Summicron has beautiful contrast, spectacular. Summilux next, and the Summarit is overly contrasty with a bite that when compared to the other lenses was not particularly pretty. The Summicron has very little chromatic aberrations, the others have a healthy dose, otoh it flares easily. The Summicron has been sent to Leica to see if the lens is underperforming. This was a one picture comparison but it was clear the Summarit is sharp, all 3 are very good and unless directly compared I am not sure it matters much. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubes Posted June 13, 2012 Share #14 Posted June 13, 2012 I started with the Summicron. Fantastic lens, very usable focus throw, terrific contrast, decent size. Got a deal on a late, Made in Germany Summilux and was really amazed how comparable it is to the 'cron stopped down. Now I'm not using this focal length for landscapes, so I don't care abut corners (nor, I must admit, have I compared them across lenses), but in the end I kept the Summilux--which is something special at f/1.4 and to my eyes only maybe a little behind the 'cron at f/2--and sold the Summicron. Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
akiralx Posted June 14, 2012 Share #15 Posted June 14, 2012 Never used the Summilux, which you should probably keep, but I have shot the Summicron and Summarit alongside each other on the M9 - which resulted in my selling the Summicron. The MFD never really bothered me but the Summarit is pretty much the equal of the Summicron, and a lot lighter and smaller, though the screw-on hood (costs extra) adds quite a bit of length. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted June 14, 2012 Share #16 Posted June 14, 2012 Too bad there is not a 75/2.8 Elmarit-M with built-in hood.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rramesh Posted June 14, 2012 Share #17 Posted June 14, 2012 I currently use a 21, 35 and 90. I might also consider a 35, 50, 90 if I can only make up my mind as to which 50 to get, and Leica just made it harder with the 50AA. Between the 75 and 90, I see the 90 as a more practical option. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted June 14, 2012 Share #18 Posted June 14, 2012 I use both the Summilux (there is no substitute for its rendering wide open or thereabouts) and the Summarit. Tried the Summicron alongside the Summarit and could not justify the price difference (to be honest, I even thought the Summarit had slightly better IQ and ergonomics). That being said, beyond f/5.6, you'd be very hard pressed to tell the difference between these three lenses. Well, OK, if you are after absolute IQ under stringent pixel-peeping conditions, the Summarit and the Summicron have a slight edge in the corners. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
01af Posted June 14, 2012 Share #19 Posted June 14, 2012 Too bad there is not a Elmarit-M 75/2.8 with built-in hood. Huh!? No-one needs an Elmarit when there is an excellent Summarit, and built-in hoods are crap. Convenient but ineffective. In fact, the screw-on hoods of the Summarit-M lenses are the best hoods Leica made for M lenses in the last ten years. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted June 14, 2012 Share #20 Posted June 14, 2012 I would not call the built-in hoods "crap" although I can understand why they could be better on the older versions especially on the Noctilux 1.0 latest version which just seems ever so short. The locking hood on the Summicron 75 is flawless for me and my Elmarit-M hood is fine as is the Summicron 90 APO. Must admit that the new 50AA screw out sounds like the best idea in years, but then again for $7k+ it ought to be the best . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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