75mm

[fursan]

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Paul, I have both the lenses. Different uses.

However, if had to let go of one, it would be the lux 75.

 

In my opinion, the cron 75 apo is one of the best from the Leica stable.

 

Regards.

[IWC Doppel]

I personally preferred the rendering and bokeh of the 90 Elmarit-M over the 75 Summarit and sold my copy some time ago.

 

It was very 'etched' and very sharp, but a little too modern for me and somehow it seemed more 'sharp pencil' and seemed somehow more clinical than the 90 Elmarit-M and very, very different to the Lux. With the Summarit you will notice a difference in the darker tones I suspect, I really noticed how wonderful the dark tones were with the Lux, with the Summarit somehow images seemed to have less weight to them. I am probably making no sense at all !

 

I also noticed how gradual the transition from in focus to out of focus was with my 90 Elmarit-M in comparison. It was however very obviously remarkably sharp.

[Paul J]

Paul,

Have you considered the 75 Summarit as a companion for your Summilux? A much underrated lens in my opinion. I chose it over the Summicron having tested both.

Carl

 

I have, but I've looked into quite a bit and never found a shot, albiet only on flickr etc. that I liked in terms of contrast and colour. The rendering just does'nt grab me. of course I could be swayed as it would be a great compliment, especially on price!

[Paul J]

Paul, I have both the lenses. Different uses.

However, if had to let go of one, it would be the lux 75.

 

In my opinion, the cron 75 apo is one of the best from the Leica stable.

 

Regards.

 

Thanks very much fursan, I saw a test of the two, although the jpgs were tiny so it was hard to judge by. The difference I saw in bokeh between 1.4 on the Summilux and f2 on the APO-Summicron was mostly indistinguishable, which was a surprise to me. With your experience of the two would you agree? I'm sure different subjects will show different results however.

 

The Summilux is a brilliant lens and for small images the sharpness is just fine but I don't feel confident enough to rely on the lens, wide open, double page in a magazine. I just haven't found the sharpness in that regard, without sharpening the hell out of the image and breaking it up.

 

Also can you please comment between the two in terms of sharpness when shot at f2? From what I have seen the Cron looks like it's in another league entirely with it's contrast, colour and sharpness.

 

As I said, I intend to keep both though, for what the Summilux offers and for when the image isn't about sharpness.

[Paul J]

I personally preferred the rendering and bokeh of the 90 Elmarit-M over the 75 Summarit and sold my copy some time ago.

 

It was very 'etched' and very sharp, but a little too modern for me and somehow it seemed more 'sharp pencil' and seemed somehow more clinical than the 90 Elmarit-M and very, very different to the Lux. With the Summarit you will notice a difference in the darker tones I suspect, I really noticed how wonderful the dark tones were with the Lux, with the Summarit somehow images seemed to have less weight to them. I am probably making no sense at all !

 

I also noticed how gradual the transition from in focus to out of focus was with my 90 Elmarit-M in comparison. It was however very obviously remarkably sharp.

 

Me too, I just haven't warmed to the rendering of the summarits, personally. There's something about the contrast, particularly in the out of focus areas that I'm not so keen on. Yes that Summilux has incredible tonality which is why I want to keep it. Though it goes hand in hand with the lower contrast and softness so it doesn't suit all of my needs all of the time.

[IWC Doppel]

Paul, I think a trip to Mayfair with your Summilux, if you took a friend to shoot prortraits and the street for longer distance shots then the three 75's together for an hour would be quite useful I suspect

 

Oh and while your there you can take a couple of shots with the 50 APO

[Paul J]

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Paul, I think a trip to Mayfair with your Summilux, if you took a friend to shoot prortraits and the street for longer distance shots then the three 75's together for an hour would be quite useful I suspect

 

Oh and while your there you can take a couple of shots with the 50 APO

 

Thanks, yeah, that is inevitable. I went in to try it out and was really impressed but didn't take in my own Summilux. The problem is the chance of me just buying it is also inevitable! But I'm close to that decision now so yes, will do.

 

Please for the love of god, don't get me started on the 50 APO. This is part of my dilemma. I've loved what I've seen from that lens and can see it in my near future too. God, that shop (Leica Store) is all my vices piled into one small, well formed, luxury crack den.

 

[Ecar]

In normal use, I could not find any major difference between the Summicron and the Summarit, so went for the latter. Despite an initial issue (loose aperture ring fixed by Solms under warranty), I have been very happy with the Summarit in those situations where a higher-contrast, clinical rendering is required.

For that dreamy look, however, nothing beats the Summilux and, if I ever have to part my lenses, it will be one of the very last to go.

[ivohula]

Beware of lateral chromatic aberations (purple fringing) which are common on the 75 and 90 Summarits. This is most often seen in areas of sharp black and white contrast, such as pictures of winter trees covered in snow. This problem can be fixed in Photoshop in post processing, but would you really want to? Flare has not been an issue for me.

 

This problem is much less pronounced in the APO lenses like the 90/2, 75/2 or even the 90/4 macro.

 

I use the Summarit 75mm for indoor portraits, as long as there is no backlighting and it works fine. Outdoors, is a gamble. I believe that in the end, you get what you pay for. I like the 75 Cron for all purpose use. The 75 Lux is a a great lens for a dreamy palate look, if that is your intention.

 

The Summarits also have a rather cool clinical rendering which puts off many people.

 

If your photos are critiqued by other photographers, or you sell your images, like me, the aberations are an issue.

[egrossman]

Paul

 

Sorry that I was late to this thread but I have to disagree with your findings with the 75mm Summilux. If the lens is properly adjusted to factory specs then I know of no better portrait lens. Tack sharp around the eyes and mouth and very flattering on the skin. I also adore it's "impressionistic-style" bokeh!

 

Erik

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[IWC Doppel]

If you haven't seen this, its worth a look through Leica 75mm Summarit Vs Leica 75m, Summilux - The GetDPI Photography Forums

 

I read this before buying a 75 Summarit, somehow it didnt match my experience at all the 90 Elmarit was very different in rendering and the 75 Lux even more so. Somehow the pictures suggest very little difference to my eyes

[Paul J]

Hi Erik. That's a really nice shot.

 

Please don't get me wrong. I own the lens and love it for it's unique look. I will never sell it. However mine is not tack sharp wide open. Not even close. It needs a lot of sharpening which breaks up the tones. Mine looks as sharp as yours here in a small jpg but as a large print, double page in a magazine, or viewed at 100% it does not have the sharpness I need most of the time. It depends on the light and the subject but the contrast is low and there is a softness there that is not suited to all work. It does not have the same sharpness as the 75mm Summicron. Stopped down to 2.8 it's good. by f4 it's really good and 5.6 and beyond is crazy sharp. Shooting at f8 it's probably one of the sharpest lenses I own.

 

I will never let go of it. It's a magical lens that produces a unique look that is good to have in the tool box but there times I need more and the Summicron is the answer here to compliment it. Also the colour of the Summicron is close to perfection. I can't say the same for my much older Summilux. It is very good but not in the same league as the Summicron.

 

Here is a sample at 2.8 which represents OK sharpness for me. I would prefer it was this sharp at 1.4 (or even 1.8 - 2) though! Click the link to see it large.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/87255429@N06/8189609903/in/photostream/lightbox/

 

[Paul J]

If you haven't seen this, its worth a look through Leica 75mm Summarit Vs Leica 75m, Summilux - The GetDPI Photography Forums

 

I read this before buying a 75 Summarit, somehow it didnt match my experience at all the 90 Elmarit was very different in rendering and the 75 Lux even more so. Somehow the pictures suggest very little difference to my eyes

 

There is another review there with the Summilux, Summicron and Summarit:

Leica 75mm Trio Comparision Lux,Cron,Summarit - The GetDPI Photography Forums

 

It's reasonable for a reference but those small jpgs are next to useless for a proper evaluation. Many of the shots aren't focussed properly and they should have been shot with a manual white balance rather than post adjustment for a proper comparison. Hats off for effort though.

 

The most solid and most reliable way I know of lens review is by testing them thoroughly yourself in the situations and conditions your normally shoot.

[efreed2754]

Have both but.just got Summicron so no time to test.

 

Can say my Lux does focus well but only after two trips to Leica NJ. Close ups seem easier but distance in concerts works well now too.

 

May do some comparisons soon as just back from holiday. Can say Summicron shots are very crisp and sharp as has been reported and is easier to focus than Lux. Also much lighter for travel

 

I may or may not keep the Lux although a favorite lens for my concert work and great for portraits as others have demonstrated.

[IWC Doppel]

Very happy so far, shame about the weather at the weekend.

 

I do love the way it renders and has the ability to have very little in focus but still look lovely wide open. I like the tonality, I only took about 3 shots before it rained.

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[Paul J]

That's a beautiful image. The gradation from sharp to soft down the dogs side is stunning and the tonality is perfect.

[esquire53]

as a nice and lower cost is the Summilux Leitz 75 1.4, which I bought some years back for $700.

 

Due to the weight, I bought the 75 Summicron ASPH, smaller and lighter than the Leitz.

On the M9 the Summicron produces a slightly sharper and higher contrast than the Lux.

 

On the MMonochrom I currently prefer the Lux, but that's a very subjective point of view, since I'm not yet fully used to the MM sharpness.

 

Uwe

[insomnia]

as a nice and lower cost is the Summilux Leitz 75 1.4, which I bought some years back for $700.

 

I'll give you $750

 

Seriously: 75 Summilux isn't really a solution if you're on a budget these days

[IWC Doppel]

Yes $3,000 and up. The last two lenses sold were about £2k, I have seen them sell for £2.8k in the UK. As its winter prices have softened a little but don't expect to find a nice one for much under $3k or £2k. Plenty of people asking considerably more.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[algrove]

I have one, nearly mint, selling for about USD1k less than the new one. PM me if interested.