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New Summarit-M 75 mm f/2.4


chris_tribble

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I uploaded some pictures to my Flickr account in full resolution.

There is always the original untouched file (maybe some cropping and exposure control, but no other settings) developed from LR5.7

at standard settings, and one processed (my style) version of every picture.

 

Some indoor shots almost at minimum distance (the flower and the watch) and some other shots testing the focus point, detail and the bokeh.

 

All pictures were taken with the Leica M-E at ISO 640 with the Summarit-M 1:2,4/75 at f2.4 (no filters were used and the outdoor shots were taken without the hood attached).

Unfortunately, the weather was very bad.

 

These pictures are not art, but maybe some of you will find them useful to make a decision.

 

By the way... I love the handling and the mechanics of the lens. It feels great, and I think this focal length will get its use.

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I'd love to see a head-to-head comparison of the 2.4 and the 2.5. I'm just trying to determine if the difference is enough to justify the $600 price difference.

 

Doubtful one will see any difference between the two in web sized JPGs.

 

They do differ in practical features:

 

- closer focussing on the newer model

- included lens hood (this was an extra purchase in the past)

- availability of silver chrome finish

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  • 3 months later...

I accidentally walked past the Leica Store in Munich and I took the opportunity to do a casual comparison between the 75mm Summicron and the new version of the 75mm Summarit. I had many years ago a 75mm Summilux and I liked a lot that lens except for the weight and replaced it with a MEM 90mm f/4.0 which is a great lens but I would prefer 75mm for urban traveling but I want also a good close range performance. 

I did some freehand shots at the closest distance ) 0.7m of some flowers at f8.0. The Summarit I tested at 0.7m first was back focusing by more than 10cm (i.e. nothing in focus) but a second sample and the Summicron was spot on. I guess Leica's quality control is not what it used to be! I actually preferred the Summarit with better rendering of colors and shade details and slightly better resolution. Even the sales person agreed with that.  

The only thing I did not like at all on the Summarit is the lens hood/cap. One needs to unscrew the hood from its reversed position and screw it on in the forward position. The supplied lens cap can only be attached in the reversed position. That process takes far to long and one will miss many photo opportunities. I had a similar problem with the hood design of my MEM 90mm (at least not screw on) and replaced that hood with a short Heliopan metal lens hood which I leave on the lens permanently. That works with the MEM because it quite resistant to stray light. I could use a similar small hood on the Summarit but how sensitive is that lens to stray light? Does that lens need a large hood?

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  • 4 months later...

I am wondering about the image quality at close (0.7 -1m). I had the Summilux 75mm (still regretting that I sold it) and it was quite o.k. in that range if stopped down to 5.6 - of course not like MEM 90mm.

I've wondered the same thing now that the Summarit focuses to 0.7m.  So I got my hands on a new Summarit 75mm f/2.4 lens and ran a few informal tests vs. the Apo Summicron f/2.  I tried to keep the sensor and subject parallel when possible.  Camera locked to a tripod, all I did was switch lenses.  I focused with the rangefinder and confirmed with Live View.  When I found a discrepancy, I went with the Live View.  I used a cable release.  I shot at f/2.8, f/4 and f/5.6. (Ignore LR aperture notation - not accurate).

 

For Jeff S, I also made several prints all of which confirmed my impressions based on the computer screen.

 

Overall, the files and prints were very similar, and was somewhat aperture dependent.  Summicron was much sharper in the corners at f/2.8 and I still saw a difference at f/5.6, but less.  Contrast seemed similar between the two lenses.  

 

Not discussing bokeh or color since that is subjective, but bokeh did seem smoother with Summicron.  Also subjective is the lens hood of which I've seen strong opinions both ways on both hoods.

 

For my type of M photography, which is hand held usually, I don't think there is any practical difference in performance.  The Summarit is, of course, lighter and smaller, and the FLE of the Summicron has been reported in this forum as prone to go out of alignment.  So if your camera body shows a lot of patina, the Summarit might be a better choice.  If you use a tripod and cable release, the Summicron would be better for optimum image quality.  I do not find the difference in weight significant.  Focus throw is smooth on both, but is a littler shorter with the Summarit - I can go from infinity to 0.7m without having to re-grip, which I like.

 

 

First two at f/2.8, center then corner.  Flowers at f/4.

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I did some more comparison testing this afternoon and really both lenses are very fine.  I have to rely more on the LV with the Apo Summicron, even moderately stopped down, than I do with the Summarit.  Also photographed the dogs playing and in general was able to focus more quickly on their movement with the Summarit.  

 

Interestingly, the 3-color histograms in LR were different between the two lenses.  I could not detect the difference, however (disclaimer:  I am slightly red/green color blind).

 

Both great lenses.  Can't recommend one over the other.

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Very nice comparison, thank you.  The Summarit's contrast / colors look a bit snappier to me in the flower pictures. But that might be explained by the focus being very slightly off in the Summicron picture.

 

I have both the Summicron and the Summarit 2.5.  I haven't come around to selling the Summarit yet but it is the Summicron that I will keep mostly because I like the extra stop for portraits.

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