which 75mm would be better for SL2 ?

[Osirix]

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Hi all,

I’m pretty new to the forum, so accept my apologies if this topic has been already discussed in the forum.

Just asking your expertise about picking up a 75mm for my SL2. I’m debating between 75mm APO Summicron SL / 75mm APO Summicron M but I’ve had a try with the Noctilux 75 f1.2 on a Leica Store and ….gosh…. it has been very impressive….

Thanks in advance for your advice

M

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[Jeff S]

Depends on your definition of “better.”  Long, long answer perhaps contained here..

 

Jeff

[stray cat]

Whatever's more expensive.

[Osirix]

9 hours ago, stray cat said:

Whatever's more expensive.

That’s the issue…. My gut feeling is going EXACTLY on that way….. 😂

[robb]

75 SL apo is much sharper than the m 75 apo and not much larger once you add the m to SL adapter.  
 

I can’t speak to the 1.2 but the SL apo is so stellar, I doubt you would feel like you were limited in any way with it.  
 

75 apo SL is my favorite lens made from any system ever…
 

Robb

[Photoworks]

75mm APO Summicron SL is my most used lens for portraits. Excellent!

[Osirix]

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13 hours ago, Jeff S said:

Depends on your definition of “better.”  Long, long answer perhaps contained here..

 

Jeff

Thank Jeff, this is what getting me in trouble.. they are ALL good

M

[John Smith]

Robb is right about the 75APO-M. I have it to sell. The Noctilux 1.25 is a little shorter, but heavier than the SL-APO. The APO is sharper and its colors pop more. But it is not a Noctilux. If you don't plan to photograph at 1.25, I'd say you should opt for the APO.

Edited March 26, 2023 by John Smith

[Guest]

All three lenses are good choices ... The way I use 75mm, it has to be the Noctilux at f/1.25 ... I tend to either prioritize subject isolation (Noctilux, Summilux, ...) or not care (in that case, the 24-90 zoom is good enough not to be tempted by the SL APOs ...).

[Osirix]

I understand, so it seems to be a non sense having both 75 APO SL and 75 Noctilux, better a 24-90 and Noctilux at this point....

[Hanno]

Hi @Osirix

A tough question to answer and so much would depend on how you would intend to use the lens, etc.

If you are happy with manual focus, you can't go wrong with either the Noctilux or the SL APO. They are very different lenses though.

If you want or need to use AF, then it would have to be the SL APO obviously. It has as well the advantage of lighter weight and water proof.

If these are not relevant factors, then I would break the buck and go with the Noctilux. It is truly magic if you want that special creamy rendering wide open.

As always best is to see if you can try both and see how you feel.

Good luck - you can't go wrong anyway.

Edited March 26, 2023 by Hanno

[Jeff S]

1 hour ago, Osirix said:

Thank Jeff, this is what getting me in trouble.. they are ALL good

M

More important to know thyself, in all aspects of photography. Gear has long been fully capable in the right hands. I generally try to demo or rent if possible to assess things like handling, controls, ergonomics, etc, which specs don’t convey.  The rest comes down to one’s own shooting  workflow/style and print requirements, which again demand personal experience. Gear surveys are irrelevant for me.
 

Jeff

[Osirix]

5 minutes ago, Hanno said:

Hi @Osirix

A tough question to answer and so much would depend on how you would intend to use the lens, etc.

If you are happy with manual focus, you can't go wrong with either the Noctilux or the SL APO. They are very different lenses though.

If you want or need to use AF, then it would have to be the SL APO obviously. It has as well the advantage of lighter weight and water proof.

If these are not relevant factors, then I would break the buck and go with the Noctilux. It is truly magic if you want that special creamy rendering wide open.

As always best is to see if you can try both and see how you feel.

Good luck - you can't go wrong anyway.

Hi Hanno,

really appreciated your advise. AF is not mandatory, I would say. My only "issue" is that having already an SL APO 75 , I feel "guilty" thinking to go for a Noctilux, but the beauty of the pictures in terms of warmth and bokeh are outstanding, it seems the picture is almost talking to the viewer ... I have to sell back the SL APO 75, but the quotations I've given are really low.... Maybe I can make a good deal for an used M Summilux 35 ASPH  1.4 

[Photoworks]

well is puzzling why you ask the question. 

Are you using it for general use? portraits, landscape, bookcase at home?

Asking what is the best lens, will most likely result in a "depend" answer or something that helps your GAS

[Osirix]

2 hours ago, Photoworks said:

well is puzzling why you ask the question. 

Are you using it for general use? portraits, landscape, bookcase at home?

Asking what is the best lens, will most likely result in a "depend" answer or something that helps your GAS

Hi Photoworks, totally agree with your thoughts. Mostly portraits

 

[Virob]

I only have experience with the 75 SL.  It is a versatile short telephoto prime, suitable for diverse applications and a great portrait lens.  If you are wavering, another option is to keep your 75SL, and add the voigtlander 75/1.5 or TTArtisan 75/1.2. See if that really is the direction you want to go, before fully committing to the Noctilux.

[Osirix]

27 minutes ago, Virob said:

I only have experience with the 75 SL.  It is a versatile short telephoto prime, suitable for diverse applications and a great portrait lens.  If you are wavering, another option is to keep your 75SL, and add the voigtlander 75/1.5 or TTArtisan 75/1.2. See if that really is the direction you want to go, before fully committing to the Noctilux.

Thanks, wise thought I would say

 

[Virob]

Another option if you are willing to try a slightly different focal length is the Sigma 85/1.4 dg dn. Depth of field is even shallower for an 85/1.4 vs 75/1.25.

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[LeicaR10]

Osirix,  First, welcome to the forum.  As you can see, there are a lot of experienced and well meaning photographers that offer sage advice to include myself.  Just remember, at the end of the day, its solely your choice, decision and bank account that matters.  Second, I understand your angst with the 75mm focal length.  Several members have mentioned excellent points to consider.  IMO, it gets down to how the lens draws or renders the scene and how you wish to create the photograph.  Each lens draws in their designed way and its up to you to choose which lens or lenses are right for your genre of photography.  All said, I thought you might want to look at some photographs taken with the different Leica 75mm M and SL lenses.  This might help you decide what is best for you and your wallet.    r/ Mark

Try:  M 75 Apo Summicron:    https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=382&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32

Try:  M 75 Noctilux:    https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=1382&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32

Try:  SL Apo Summicron:   https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=1387&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32

PS.. Nick Rains a Leica Camera instructor here in Australia made a very good video about shooting with the 75 Noctilux.  

 

Edited March 27, 2023 by LeicaR10

[hansvons]

The SL primes follow the cine lenses mantra of a matching primes set. Regardless of which focal length you use colour, contrast, and overall rendition match. They are the most modern interpretation of the Leica look (whatever that is) and in technical terms the best AF primes on the market. 

All other Leica lenses are somewhat individual designs, trying to match special use cases and budgets. For most photographers, this is the more appealing approach. But the danger in this is that your photography will be determined by the lens’ use case and thus could become arbitrary.

A typical example is the Noctilux. It’s designed to be insanely fast, which comes with razor-thin DOF. Using it at f 4 makes hardly sense, as any Summicron for half the price will do that better. So you shoot it at f 0.9 and your images will be Nocti-lised. I don't want that stamp on my images.

Summiluxes are the compromise. But they rarely get as sharp as the Summicrons, as super fast is anathema to super sharp, even for Leica. If modern, high MP landscape photography were my thing l, I’d go the Summicron route. If I’d shoot portraits which should be sharp from ear to nose, I chose a Summicron. 

For me, the only reason to buy a Summilux would be a 35mm because having that extra more shallow DOF can add to the story of wide environmental portraits and medium-long shots showing two people. 

If I were to buy a 75mm for the SL I’d choose the APO SL. But all of that doesn't take into account that haptics, mythos and all that play a role too, especially in Leicaland.