Summilux or Summicron 75mm on M8?

[Ivar B]

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This topic may have been discussed earlier, but perhaps there are new users with more experience.

 

I have a Summilux-M 75mm (mint) which I consider selling and instead buying the Apo-Summicron-M 2.0/75mm, which is considerably more compact.

 

At present, prices are higher for the 2/75, although new the 1.4/75 was a lot more expensive. I feel a bit bad about selling the 1.4 and then at the same time have to come up with even more cash to get the 2.0 (if I can find it).

 

Optical quality is of course important as well, and I wonder if anyone has compared these lenses on the M8? I heard someone mention that from f2 the 1.4 is for all practical purposes as good as the f2.

 

Can anyone provide some more info on this?

[Paul_S]

I have both, although both in Solms for correcting back focussing, but that is not relevant now. The Slux has the softer touch in general and especially with open aperture. The Scron is sharp from f/2 on and has a higher contrast.

I read here once (and don't know who to give credit) that the Slux 75 is for brides and the the Scron 75 for making pictures of a miner. They are totally different (having only the focal length in common) and none replaces the other.

I like the size and weight of the Scron 75 more of course, but prefer the image of the Slux.

This does not help you, does it?

[pelikan1931]

with the back focus uncorrected, the summicron 75 can be used for wedding too. -

[innerimager]

with the back focus uncorrected, the summicron 75 can be used for wedding too. -

well, for the groom anyway, especially if he is a miner. ;>)

[carstenw]

The 75 Cron is perhaps Leica's sharpest M lens, and the 75 Lux is not as sharp as it, even wide open. The 75 Lux has a portrait ability which the 75 Cron cannot reach. It really depends what you want to use it for. The 75 Cron is smaller, but the 75 Lux is also not really that large, we M owners just tend to forget that.

[marknorton]

It's a mystery to me why the 75/1.4 depreciates so heavily. I have both 75's and much prefer the Summilux - it delivers where, for me, the Noctilux fails.

[Guest guy_mancuso]

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The real difference between the two image wise to F4 and above also but from f4 down they really do equally each other in terms of sharpness. i like to call the Lux a 2 for one lens. Very nice charactor and look to f4 than a different clinical look from F4 down. really there both just great lenses but just go about what they do a little differently

[carstenw]

Having tested the 75 Lux and Noctilux side-by-side for a few weeks, I am not sure why you prefer the 75 Lux so much. Is it just the focal length, because in my tests, the two lenses had very similar characteristics, but the f/1 at the near limit is just a little more ethereal.

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/28454-nocti-75mm-lux-image-look-compare.html

[Tony C.]

It's a mystery to me why the 75/1.4 depreciates so heavily. I have both 75's and much prefer the Summilux - it delivers where, for me, the Noctilux fails.

 

I wouldn't say that the Summilux has depreciated heavily. Those examples in excellent (or better) condition tend to sell in the $2,500–2,750 range.

 

I've had both, but recently sold the Summicron. The 'cron is a superb lens, and, as others have mentioned, it is exceptionally sharp, compact, and easy to carry while traveling.

 

I do love the signature of the 'lux, which is quite similar to that of the Noctilux. While generally not as sharp as the 'cron, the 'lux can also, under the right conditions, be plenty sharp. For example, I captured this series of three images yesterday in NYC:

 

one

 

two

 

three

 

Regards,

 

Tony C.

[kidigital]

One possibility to consider is keeping the 75lux and picking up one of the new summarit 75s when they become available. Maybe you don't want two 75s, but, instead of selling the lux and adding extra funds to buy the cron, you could keep the lux and purchase the summarit for just a bit more as an excellent companion lens.

 

Kurt

[usccharles]

i have both and i don't know if its because i just happened to have a really good copy of the lux, but my 75lux is the sharpest lens i own wide open. and the subject isolation you get the the 75lux is second to none. I love my 75cron too, because its small and i can be very discreet taking pictures of people in the street without being too in their face.

 

but i have to admit, when the time came to take either the cron or lux out, i've taken the lux out 9 out of 10 times.

 

i am seriously considering trading in the cron for the summarit. that will make it even more discreet.

 

only minus about 75lux.. i just got it calibrated, and the focus is tack sharp from min focus to about 10 meters, but after that i have front-focus for any thing farther than that until infinity. i think this is pretty much the limitation of the lens/RF technology on a digital sensor.

[chris_tribble]

I captured this series of three images yesterday in NYC:.

 

Lovely images Tony - I too have the lux and am now torn between this and the Canon 85 1.2 as favourite portrait lens. It certainly wins if I'm trying to cut down weight on a trip - Leica owners may think the lux is a large, heavy lens, but try toting the 85 1.2 + a 1 series body...

[Ivar B]

Thank you all for your comments. I am in no hurry and maybe it is a good idea to wait a bit and see how the Summarit will perform. If a compact lens is needed, the CV may also be a good supplement to the 1.4 I guess. I believe Sean Reid has tested the CV and found it to be very good.

[blakley]

The 75 Cron is perhaps Leica's sharpest M lens, and the 75 Lux is not as sharp as it, even wide open. The 75 Lux has a portrait ability which the 75 Cron cannot reach.

 

I disagree. Here are two 75 Cron portraits. I do not believe using the 75 Lux could have improved either one in any way.

 

 

[jonoslack]

Hi There

I don't have the 'lux, so I can't do a comparison, but my 75 'cron is one of my favorite lenses, the close focusing and crystal sharpness (yeah, some call it clinical) make it wonderful for photographing flowers and other close ups.

I also love using it for portraits, it may not always be kind, but then, one can always add a little kindness after the event!

[rosuna]

You can read/see a comparison at te (free) magazine Leicapassion 4/2005:

 

Leicapassion - magazine on-line

 

It is written in Italian.

 

They say the two lenses are a bit different at f/2 and f2.8 (but very similar in practical terms).

 

LFI compared the two lenses, but the article isn't good. Sean Reid compared 75mm M lenses, but he was unable to include the Summilux 75mm on the test ( http://www.reidreviews.com ).

 

Erwin Puts has some comparative comments about the two lenses when he analyzed the Summicron:

 

Leica Apo-Summicron-M 1:2/75mm ASPH | Photography and image capture: the Leica technique and philosophy by Erwin Puts | Erwin Puts

 

He was more possitive about the Summilux 75mm in his "Leica M-Lenses. Their soul and secrets", september 2002.

 

Chasseur d'Images also has published a comparative review of all M lenses:

 

Leica and Rangefinders Forum: Leica and Zeiss lens tests - photo.net

 

The 75mm also was reviewed by Popular Photography and Chasseur d'Images. Leicapages.com has two PDF documents with a summary of Leica lenses' reviews in magazines:

 

news & tests

 

You have this small review:

 

Jean-Claude Berger, Formation, conseil et développement - Summilux 75 mini review

 

And these comments by Paul Butzi:

 

Paul Butzi Photography

 

This thread also can be interesting for you:

 

Leica and Rangefinders Forum: 75mm Summilux first impressions - photo.net

 

To sum up, the Summilux 75mm isn't a lens that has attracted much attention lately... there aren't modern good reviews of it on the M8.

[innerimager]

I disagree. Here are two 75 Cron portraits. I do not believe using the 75 Lux could have improved either one in any way.

best looking miners ever. Wonderful portraits both.....Peter

[Ivar B]

I have now agreed to swap the lens for a 75/2 (with some side payment) with another forum member. Nice to have such a forum, is it not?