Summilux 75mm vs Elmarit 90mm @ f4

[tedd]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hi gang,

I've been looking at shots from the 75mm 'Lux lately (always a mistake to look at anything Leica you don't already own!) and, like everyone else, getting a case of the wants. I already own a 90mm Elmarit-M which I absolutely adore and I tend to shoot portraits around the f4 mark as I like the majority of my subject to be in focus. My question is, at this f stop, does the 'Lux still have enough of it's magic to justify owning both lenses?

My main portrait rig is a Pentax 645 (film) with a 105mm f2.4, so I'm used to that short-telephoto thing for headshots, though I would need to sell this set to justify the Leica glass. This would also mean my leaving film behind almost completely until I get a case of wanting a film M again.

Thoughts appreciated!

Cheers.

 

[adan]

My answer would have to be a qualified "yes."

Partly because some of the 'Lux magic comes from the big blur circles of f/1.4. And those simply won't exist at f/4.0 (and the blurs may show geometric-blade shapes at f/4.0).

And some comes from a lower overall contrast, which may vary with the coatings Leica used at different points over the lens's 27-year production life, under 3 designers (Mandler, Kölsch, Karbe) and in two different factories.

The picture below was made with a mid-1980s Canadian 75 Summilux, supposedly at f/3.4 according to the notoriously-approximate digital-M estimation of aperture. Mixed window and man-made light. M10.

I would say it retains certain 75 'Lux characteristics: cooler, slightly-cyan color overall; lower macro-contrast than the 90 Elmarit-M (or a 75 'Rit/'Cron); smooth transitions from "pretty sharp" to blurry; and not as absolutely needle-sharp even in the focus plane. But far less long. CA than it would show at f/1.4 (not that one could see that at this scale anyway.)

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[Musotographer]

To be practical, the Summilux 75 is now a very expensive lens and I wouldn't see the point of spending all that money if you're not going to use it at f1.4-f2, where IMHO the beauty and magic of it lie. Especially as you are so happy with your Elmarit. I have a cheap old 90 Cron which I also love, esp for portraits, and which I could happily manage with if I were to sell my 75 - but I do use it either at f2 or half a stop smaller. (The R sibling of the 75/1.4, the R 80/1.4, is also magical and would cost  about half as much, or less,  but obviously is not RF coupled - EVF/LiveView necessary.) 

[lct]

5 hours ago, Musotographer said:

To be practical, the Summilux 75 is now a very expensive lens and I wouldn't see the point of spending all that money if you're not going to use it at f1.4-f2

+1 but it is indeed a bit softer at f/4, especially on edges and corners. I'm no expert though as i dont use my 75/1.4 as much as it would deserve. 

[wda]

My advice is to keep what you have. You would be trading well-proven and valuable kit to you,  for a marginal improvement in portraiture capability. You would not be using the expensive part of your yearned-for lens.

[Dr No]

6 hours ago, Musotographer said:

To be practical, the Summilux 75 is now a very expensive lens and I wouldn't see the point of spending all that money if you're not going to use it at f1.4-f2, where IMHO the beauty and magic of it lie. Especially as you are so happy with your Elmarit. I have a cheap old 90 Cron which I also love, esp for portraits, and which I could happily manage with if I were to sell my 75 - but I do use it either at f2 or half a stop smaller. (The R sibling of the 75/1.4, the R 80/1.4, is also magical and would cost  about half as much, or less,  but obviously is not RF coupled - EVF/LiveView necessary.) 

At f4 or any aperture it's an exceptional lens, excepting diffraction at f16. Why wouldn't you use a lens at all apertures? Use what the shot requires.

If the OP loves the open aperture then my advice is to get it, it's adding something you wouldn't normally have and it's really quite magical.

If in a year they decide they don't want it you will quite possibly sell it for a profit.