75mm?

[ktmrider2]

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I am thinking about modifying my travel kit from 35/90 to 35/75.  However, I own both 50 and 90 and wonder if I would gain anything from a 75 (I doubt it).  Talk to me about the Cosina 75f1.8 vs Leica Summarit 75.   I just acquired a MP240 which would be my primary travel camera.  Neither of my film Leica's have a 75mm frame line (M2 and M5) and I honestly think the M2 finder is the best of any Leica camera.

 

Thanks!

[DwF]

Unless you shoot with 50mm mainly in which case the M3 is without question the best....myself I liked the M2 as well.

 

David

Edited January 23, 2018 by DwF

[a.noctilux]

See colonel's thread, here :

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/280942-75mm-voigtlander-75mm-18-or-25-leica-summarit-24-or-25-etc/

 

When Summilux-M 75mm came out in 80's, I used it with my M4/M5 and it's easy to imagine the 75mm field.

In doubt, I push the field selection lever and the 90 frame shows up to be "calculated 50/90" and after a while it was not necessary.

[lct]

Depends how many lenses you intend to carry. If you take 2 lenses only, 50/90 won't do it for lack of wide so 35/75 is rather unbeatable there. But if you take 3 lenses, 35/50/90 typically, i see no reason for a 75 unless you need f/1.4.

[ktmrider2]

Agree, about the three lenses as 35, 50 and 90 are the CLASSIC photojournalist focal lengths to use with Leica.  I have the latest version of the 50 Summicron and carry it when I am not too lazy.  If I am really lazy, then one body and one lens, either the 35 or 50 depending on the direction of the wind.

[Jared]

I am thinking about modifying my travel kit from 35/90 to 35/75.  However, I own both 50 and 90 and wonder if I would gain anything from a 75 (I doubt it).  Talk to me about the Cosina 75f1.8 vs Leica Summarit 75.   I just acquired a MP240 which would be my primary travel camera.  Neither of my film Leica's have a 75mm frame line (M2 and M5) and I honestly think the M2 finder is the best of any Leica camera.

 

Thanks!

 

 

Gosh, there's a lot to balance here.  For the film cameras, I would probably not get the 75mm due to the lack of frame lines.  Is it absolutely critical to have frame lines?  No.  But your uncertainty as to this acquisition, I'd probably skip it.

 

However, your recent purchase of the MP-240 changes things.  Personally, my favorite two lens kit for Leica is 35/75.  I find it much more flexible than a 50/90 combination for most use.  This would be particularly true for travel.  It's not so much that I prefer 75mm to 90mm, but because I much prefer 35mm to 50mm and find a 75mm can cover most of my uses for either a 50mm or a 90mm.  It works fine for head and shoulder shots without too much perspective distortion.  It works fine as a normal lens for most situations where you want a bit of "environment".  

 

As far as the Summarit vs. the Cosina... I've never used the Cosina so couldn't give you any feedback there.  I can say that the Summarit is very good indeed--very, very nearly the equal of the much more expensive Summicron APO at a much lower price point.  It is easy to focus accurately even at f/2.5 as long as it is well calibrated to the rangefinder.  I found I got much more accurate focus with a 75mm at f/2.8 and above than with a 90mm at the same f/2.8; it's just enough extra depth of field (assuming the same physical distance rather than the same framing) that my percentage of keepers went up.  I can't focus a 90mm reliably with a rangefinder until about f/4.  Everyone is a little different, though.  There are lots of people who swear up and down they can focus their 90mm APO's perfectly at f/2.  I never could at typical subject distances.

 

For the MP-240 I think a 35/75 combo is a great idea.  For the film cameras, I'd pass.  If you are planning on a 3 lens combo rather than a 2 lens combo, stick with 35/50/90 and bypass the 75mm.

[Gregm61]

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As more of a wide shooter my three lens outfit, be it for travel or every day carry, is the 35-75 and 21mm Super Elmar.

 

I have three 75's, the CV Heliar Classic, Summicron and f2.4 Summarit. If I were in a position where I would have to sell two and keep only one, I would hold on to the f2.4 Summarit.

Edited January 23, 2018 by Gregm61

[pico]

Gosh, there's a lot to balance here.  [... so very true ...]

For the MP-240 I think a 35/75 combo is a great idea.  For the film cameras, I'd pass.  If you are planning on a 3 lens combo rather than a 2 lens combo, stick with 35/50/90 and bypass the 75mm.

 

Well, if one can tolerate the clutter, the 75mm frame lines are available in late model M film cameras, including M4-P, M7 (and maybe others but I don't own them.)

[a.noctilux]

Well, if one can tolerate the clutter, the 75mm frame lines are available in late model M film cameras, including M4-P, M7 (and maybe others but I don't own them.)

 

All Ms after M4-P have 75mm framelines (sort of... guides not really "lines") : (as film M only) M6, M7, MP, M-A (this one has the tiniest "75 lines" as four brackets as M4-P).

[pico]

All Ms after M4-P have 75mm framelines (sort of... guides not really "lines") : (as film M only) M6, M7, MP, M-A (this one has the tiniest "75 lines" as four brackets as M4-P).

 

One feature might move me to get another Leica - one set of frame lines for the mounted lens. No more! I just hate the clutter, and I started with an M2 and suffered the lines all the way to the M9. Gads, I hate 'em. Today I use the RF for focusing and good external finders for framing. CV finders are best.

Edited January 23, 2018 by pico

[ktmrider2]

GAS cured.  I will be sticking with the classic trio of 35/50/90.  As I stated earlier, if two lenses then 35/90.  If I am feeling really, really lazy then either 35 or 50 depending on which way the wind is blowing or reading of entrails.  Thanks for the advice.

[chris_tribble]

Glad to hear you’re cured. If ever you come off the wagon I can’t recommend the 75 Summarit too highly. My only gripe is that it doesn’t have a built in lens hood. Otherwise it’s stellar - and affordable too

Edited January 25, 2018 by chris_tribble

[Dennis]

On 1/23/2018 at 3:13 PM, a.noctilux said:

 

All Ms after M4-P have 75mm framelines (sort of... guides not really "lines") : (as film M only) M6, M7, MP, M-A (this one has the tiniest "75 lines" as four brackets as M4-P).

Glad you wrote this. Very Interesting.

This is an M4-P ...  50/75 + 35/135, right?

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The M-A and the M4-P just earned a better score 🙂 I don't appreciate at all the 135 and 75 frame lines (FL), I feel like they are on my way when I want to just shoot 35 and 50. So, small FL likes these are definitely a plus for me. I'll investigate more to know which Leica film cameras has less intrusive 135 and 75 frame lines.

. 

Today I was looking for some film threads. And this is a great discovery.

 

 

[ktmrider2]

All M cameras since the M4-P with the .72 magnification finder bring up frame lines in pairs:  28/90, 35/135, and 50/75 unless the finder has been modified by a Leica technician at its owner's request.  If you want only want one frame line when shooting, you can have a frame line eliminated for $$ by a Leica repair person.  If you want 35 only, the choice is M2.  If you want 50, the choice is M2 or M3 or M4 or M4-2 or M5 (which also brings up metering area).  The .58 magnification finder shows the 35 frame line solo.  The MA and MP finders show the frame lines in pairs just like all M's since the M4P.

Some complain that the meter indicators in the M6 and subsequent has caused Leica to change the frame lines making them smaller to allow room for the LED's.  Now if you need 100% framing accuracy, I suggest a Nikon F which shows 100% of what will be recorded on the film no matter which lens is mounted (except superwide fisheyes which require the mirror to be locked up).

I find the viewfinder in the M2 to be as good as it gets.  The .72 magnification allows the whole viewfinder to be used fairly accurately with the 28 and you can use the 135f2.8 with goggles for the 135. And I have never felt the need for a 75mm.  I am quite happy with the 35/90 combo for travel.  I am a left eye shooter so I could never master shooting with the M3 with both eyes open.  The M4 and M5 are almost as good as the 135 which comes up with the 35 frame lines is very small and easy to be ignored.

If you need thru the lens metering or autoexposure, you have to live with the slightly smaller frame lines that come in pairs unless you get a camera which has been modified or you are willing to pay to get it modified since the Leica customs purchase program is no longer available.  Remember the old saying "You pays your money and makes your choice!".  Well that applies in spades if the word "Leica" is anywhere on the camera or lens.

Edited August 31, 2021 by ktmrider2

[lct]

5 hours ago, ktmrider2 said:

All M cameras since the M4-P with the .72 magnification finder bring up frame lines in pairs:  28/90, 35/135, and 50/75 unless the finder has been modified by a Leica technician [...]

The M6J from 1994 had only 35/50/90/135 frame lines in a 0.85x finder. Was a limited series though. 

[ktmrider2]

There are probably other limited series film M cameras which may just bring up one frame line.  I was talking primarily about the general production series cameras.  And as I said if a single frame line is important a visit to DAG or Sherry or YeYe can cure the itch if you don't want an M2.  And the FujiX100 also brings up only one frame line in the optical viewfinder.

Edited August 31, 2021 by ktmrider2