Which 75? Noct or Cron?

[Herr Barnack]

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IMHO:

75/2 for all around use, travel, street, documentary, landscape, etc.

75/1.25 if you do a lot of portrait, wedding or very low light work, and/or if your neck and shoulders are impervious to carrying heavy loads for hours on end.

I have recently come to see the virtues of the 75mm focal length for certain situations; the 75/2 or 75/2.4 may well be my next lens purchase (I hope to find a minty used version of either to avoid the stupid and pointless lens tariff).

 

Edited December 28, 2019 by Herr Barnack

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[pedaes]

If you need to ask, definitely not the 'Noct'. Unless you are confident you can hit focus at f2, I would go with Summarit and be very happy (and contented).

[rsolomon]

No idea what you should get but I have the 75 cron, great lens. The combination of weight, size performance is each a 10/10.  For portraits it can be a bit clinical. I would also recommend the EVF which will increase your focus hit ratio on any of the 75’s .

[james.liam]

1 hour ago, rsolomon said:

No idea what you should get but I have the 75 cron, great lens. The combination of weight, size performance is each a 10/10.  For portraits it can be a bit clinical. I would also recommend the EVF which will increase your focus hit ratio on any of the 75’s .

Funny though, I own the 75 APO and have a 75 Summilux on loan. My hit rate with the latter is far higher just using the RF. 

[otto.f]

12 hours ago, james.liam said:

Hate shorthand.

Me too. But I thought the question was about 75 Noctilux or Summicron, so 75 Summilux remains

[Guest]

6 hours ago, james.liam said:

Funny though, I own the 75 APO and have a 75 Summilux on loan. My hit rate with the latter is far higher just using the RF. 

I have these 2 lenses and find the 1.25 viewfinder magnifier very useful with the M9.I have seen an adjustable version but can not remember who made it.

[a.noctilux]

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8 hours ago, james.liam said:

Funny though, I own the 75 APO and have a 75 Summilux on loan. My hit rate with the latter is far higher just using the RF. 

Just using the RF, I have some suggestions/explanations :

- long travel focus ring about double the travel of Summilux 75mm comparing to Apo-Summicron

for sure, I've just had a look at the distance markings where the Apo is at 5m (from infinity mark) the Summilux mark is 10m and the dof scale is more usable on this big 75mm if required

- the focus ring "travel" is not uniform on my Apo and much less smooth than the Summilux with the help of larger ring

- the micro-contrast difference on pictures or some curve field in the Summilux which can "compensate a bit" focussing error

Apo 75mm from Wiki

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Summilux-M 75mm from Wiki

Edited December 29, 2019 by a.noctilux

[Scheid]

I have the 75 Noct and not too much trouble hitting focus with Range finder for my M10P and M10 mono.  I have the 90 APO and find that much more challenge.  Both are great but go for the Noct if you like that dreamy look of 0.95 and low light.  It is a beast though... but the images are worth it when you slap it on.

[sarav]

I had all the four 75s (1.25, 1.4, 2.0, 2.5) and now I only have the Noct. I could focus with all four, the easiest was the Summarit and the worst the 'cron. Image render is different as different are the lenses. I did barely use the summarit, I've used many many times the summicron and the summilux (different character). At the moment I can obtain all I want with one lens, the Noctilux. Wonderful bokeh, sharpness, colour is very smooth...and it's easy to focus. I'm very happy with it.

P.S. I shoot MP with BW and color film, and rarely with M240

[epand56]

Noct if you are a billionaire, Cron if you are normal people.

[insideline]

On 2/23/2020 at 11:40 AM, sarav said:

I had all the four 75s (1.25, 1.4, 2.0, 2.5) and now I only have the Noct. I could focus with all four, the easiest was the Summarit and the worst the 'cron. Image render is different as different are the lenses. I did barely use the summarit, I've used many many times the summicron and the summilux (different character). At the moment I can obtain all I want with one lens, the Noctilux. Wonderful bokeh, sharpness, colour is very smooth...and it's easy to focus. I'm very happy with it.

P.S. I shoot MP with BW and color film, and rarely with M240

I too have the 75 f1.25 Noctilux and it is by a measure my most used and favorite Leica lens L or M. It is far sharper than my old 50 f.95 Noctilux, does not purple fringe like that lens, and the subject separation is second to none. To me it is an M 50 APO on steroids yet the out of focus rendering is far more artistic, plus open it up and this lens provides incredibly sharp images across the photograph. I have no trouble focussing it on my M9M with the adjustable diopter made by Thumbs Up, and on my SL2 it is a cake walk to quickly focus. It is much shorter than the SL APO lenses and even if it is heavier I find with the weight in closer to the body that the weight is not objectionable and I am not a big person. I also own the original f1.2 Noctilux, F1 in the E58 and E60, sold the .95 when I got the 75 f1.25. I struggle when people say if you are a billionaire then buy the 75 Noctilux yet they own 4-5 lenses which all together cost far more than this stunning 75 Noctilux, so why not own any of the wonderful 28mm or 35mm Summicron or Summilux lenses paired along with the 75 Noctilux, and for the most part (yes not always) you will have most bases covered, and when you want to capture a truly amazing image the 75 f1.25 Noctilux provides a look that is not attainable with any other lens.

The new SL APO lenses are very very nice but they do not come close to the 75 Noctilux in the magical combination of sharpness, subject isolation along with a fabulous out of focus rendering. I believe the new 75 Noctilux will go down as one of Leica's finest lenses and I wish more photographers would buy one and give it a try. Yes you will loose some money "if" you choose to sell it but the images are priceless in my opinion. I have rarely sold any of the lenses I purchased new beginning in the early 1970's and the images I have captured over the decades are worth far far more than I spent on these expensive lenses. I do not mean to sound judgmental, but I do not understand why so many of todays Leica owners buy and sell so many of their lenses vs. just keeping them and capturing wonderful images and memories over their lifetimes. 

Edited February 25, 2020 by insideline
SP mistake

[Donzo98]

8 hours ago, insideline said:

I too have the 75 f1.25 Noctilux and it is by a measure my most used and favorite Leica lens L or M. It is far sharper than my old 50 f.95 Noctilux, does not purple fringe like that lens, and the subject separation is second to none. To me it is an M 50 APO on steroids yet the out of focus rendering is far more artistic, plus open it up and this lens provides incredibly sharp images across the photograph. I have no trouble focussing it on my M9M with the adjustable diopter made by Thumbs Up, and on my SL2 it is a cake walk to quickly focus. It is much shorter than the SL APO lenses and even if it is heavier I find with the weight in closer to the body that the weight is not objectionable and I am not a big person. I also own the original f1.2 Noctilux, F1 in the E58 and E60, sold the .95 when I got the 75 f1.25. I struggle when people say if you are a billionaire then buy the 75 Noctilux yet they own 4-5 lenses which all together cost far more than this stunning 75 Noctilux, so why not own any of the wonderful 28mm or 35mm Summicron or Summilux lenses paired along with the 75 Noctilux, and for the most part (yes not always) you will have most bases covered, and when you want to capture a truly amazing image the 75 f1.25 Noctilux provides a look that is not attainable with any other lens.

The new SL APO lenses are very very nice but they do not come close to the 75 Noctilux in the magical combination of sharpness, subject isolation along with a fabulous out of focus rendering. I believe the new 75 Noctilux will go down as one of Leica's finest lenses and I wish more photographers would buy one and give it a try. Yes you will loose some money "if" you choose to sell it but the images are priceless in my opinion. I have rarely sold any of the lenses I purchased new beginning in the early 1970's and the images I have captured over the decades are worth far far more than I spent on these expensive lenses. I do not mean to sound judgmental, but I do not understand why so many of todays Leica owners buy and sell so many of their lenses vs. just keeping them and capturing wonderful images and memories over their lifetimes. 

Really... you have bought and sold as many lenses as most of us have  

[insideline]

14 hours ago, Donzo98 said:

Really... you have bought and sold as many lenses as most of us have  

Actually I still own most all of my 31 original lenses which I purchased brand new beginning in the early 1970's which I have never sold with the exception of an extra 1981 F1 Noct, a 75 1.4 Summilux which I never did bond with, my 50 Rigid and V4 German 35 Summicron, but yes in the past few years I have experimented with many of the new Leica lenses, the .95 Noctilux which I did not like much, but including the new SL APO lenses but have sold them as I discovered that I prefer the manual focus M lenses for the way they are built, the manner with which they render and for the colors, plus the glass in the new 75 1.25 Noctilux is noticeably more realistic and true to color whereas when compared back to back with the 50 SL APO I found the 50 SL APO to be colder and blue in tone whereas the 75 Noct to my eyes simply looks more realistic all in all. I am thankful I was able to try these new and wonderful lenses Don, as it confirmed to me that for my personal tastes I prefer all of my older lenses starting with my 50 f1.2 Noct, F1 Noct, 35 AA Summilux etc., yet to also include a few of the modern lenses like the beautiful M 50 APO and what I consider my finest lens the 75 f1.25 Noctilux. 

[Donzo98]

1 hour ago, insideline said:

Actually I still own most all of my 31 original lenses which I purchased brand new beginning in the early 1970's which I have never sold with the exception of an extra 1981 F1 Noct, a 75 1.4 Summilux which I never did bond with, my 50 Rigid and V4 German 35 Summicron, but yes in the past few years I have experimented with many of the new Leica lenses, the .95 Noctilux which I did not like much, but including the new SL APO lenses but have sold them as I discovered that I prefer the manual focus M lenses for the way they are built, the manner with which they render and for the colors, plus the glass in the new 75 1.25 Noctilux is noticeably more realistic and true to color whereas when compared back to back with the 50 SL APO I found the 50 SL APO to be colder and blue in tone whereas the 75 Noct to my eyes simply looks more realistic all in all. I am thankful I was able to try these new and wonderful lenses Don, as it confirmed to me that for my personal tastes I prefer all of my older lenses starting with my 50 f1.2 Noct, F1 Noct, 35 AA Summilux etc., yet to also include a few of the modern lenses like the beautiful M 50 APO and what I consider my finest lens the 75 f1.25 Noctilux. 

Now I'm tempted to try the 75 Noct

[james.liam]

7 hours ago, Donzo98 said:

Now I'm tempted to try the 75 Noct

Do some biceps training first.

[insideline]

On 2/26/2020 at 9:04 PM, james.liam said:

Do some biceps training first.

Used on an SL/SL2 body its not a problem to hold in the least even all day and for shorter periods its Fien on an M body. It is however not a point and shoot AF lens and takes much more skill to obtain the results this lens is capable of producing vs the SL APO lenses. Get the light right along with strong back ground imaging and the results are breathtaking. Second issue is getting the distance to focal point far enough away to allow for more depth of field in focus yet still obtain a very dreamy out of focus rendering. You have to work at getting the most of out the 75 Noctilux so if speed and ease are more important pick the SL APO lenses, but if you want the ultimate in portraiture imaging and are willing to take the time needed the 75 1.25 Noctilux delivers. 

[james.liam]

I have no doubt that it’s the pinnacle of lens design at the moment. Setting aside focus accuracy at f/1,25, a 1 kg lens makes the point of the M’s size fade away. 

[NRKstudio]

On 12/27/2019 at 5:18 AM, Schittra said:

I tried Noct 75/1.25 today and kinda like it. The color rendering and bokeh are superb. However, the lens is giantic! Nearly block focusing area. The weight is also another concern. 

I am thinking about 75/2 now. The size and weight are plus. Cron should deliver good color. How about other quality? 

Any input and thought please. Thank you so much. 

Go with the 75 Lux if you haven’t tried it, it’s not better but different.  Great for me on an m10, an SL2,  and an xpro3.  

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[NRKstudio]

@Schittra  also, if you haven’t tried the CV 75/1.5, it’s a mix of the 75 Lux’s smooth bokeh and the 75APO’s high resolving ability and contrast.  Really, Cosina optics engineer’s claimed it was one of their 3 most prized lenses they’ve designed, saying: the path the light takes through the lens is “beautiful” (Whatever that means).  
check out the 75/1.5CV thread here, lots of good info.  Also, it’s about $700 used.  

[james.liam]

2 hours ago, NRKstudio said:

Cosina optics engineer’s claimed it was one of their 3 most prized lenses they’ve designed,...

What are the other two?

Edited February 29, 2020 by james.liam