Help with 75mm lens selection

[doyleacres]

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I had my Leica kit stolen from my car in Austin, Tx a few years back. Now, I’m retired, wanting to shoot strictly portraits and want to replace my favorite lens: the summicron 75mm apo. My quandary is when I owned my summicron 75mm apo there wasn’t a APO-Summicron-SL 75mm f/2 ASPH. Also, if I wasn’t so hung up on buying new equipment at the time I probably would have bought the summilux 75mm 1.4. If you could only own one 75mm lens, which of the three would you choose? Thanks in advance! 

[tom0511]

If you use it on the SL-body then  I would go for the SL AF lens. AF is a real advantage for shooting such focal length wide open.

Another interesting lens (which I use on my M more often than the 75 APO M) is the CV 75/1.4

[Stuart Richardson]

I have both the 75mm Summilux M and the 75mm APO Summicron M. On the SL I have the 50mm APO Summicron SL. Based on that lens, I plan to eventually sell the 75mm Summicron M and pick up the SL version. The SL lenses are spectacular, and I think that the addition of AF and auto stop down is very very useful for portraits, leaving aside the higher image quality. If you prefer a softer look, I think the 75mm Summilux is a great lens because it is kind of dual purpose. It is very glow-y and softer wide open, but stopped down it gets as sharp as a good modern lens. It also balances well on an SL. One thing I find more annoying with it, however, is there is a lot more chromatic aberration and bokeh fringing than there is with the APO lenses.

On balance overall, I think given the more moderate pricing of the SL lenses compared to most modern M lenses, I think a good used copy of the 75mm APO Summicron SL will give the best value, performance and utility on the SL body. I would say this is all the more so if you say your favorite lens is the 75mm APO M. The SL version is a bit bigger, but it is also even sharper and easier to use (the contrast detect focus in the SL series is very accurate).

Edited June 1, 2023 by Stuart Richardson

[John Smith]

I have both the 75mm Apo-M and SL. I am selling the 75mm Apo-M because, while it is a bit smaller than the SL, the SL trounces it in IQ and everything else. The SL is so much easier to use for portraits than futzing around with manual focus. 

[jplomley]

Had the 75 APO M, was super happy with it until I tried the 75 APO SL. Have owned the SL 75 since launch and it is a workhorse. Been to Romania three times with this optic and shot in all sorts of weather conditions including a week of solid downpour. That would never happen with the M version. Few examples from the 75 APO SL posted for interest.

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Edited June 1, 2023 by jplomley

[jplomley]

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[jplomley]

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[tangosix]

APO--SL 75mm f/2 ASPH is my favorite lens.  The software updates for tack sharp auto eye focus works beautifully and that has made a huge difference in my portraits, especially candid unexpected opportunities at events. 

 It renders in a way that pleasantly surprises me often as it is wonderfully artsy sharp without giving a clinically sharp impression.  

[Coral Palm]

I have shot with an assortment of M lenses but never did use the 75mm. I can tell you the SL 75mm as all the others have said is a wonderful lens, the more I have used it the more I seem to love it. With my aging eyes I really appreciate the auto focus. Here is a pic from Mongolia a few months ago. 

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[robb]

SL apo 75 is my favorite lens ever made by any manufacturer…  owned the m apo version and the 1.4 lux m version.  Both also very nice.  But the SL apo will let you just focus on the image making without grass is greener thoughts on any other lenses… it’s simply the greatest and also best bang for the buck.  I’d pick it over the 1.25 even if they were the same cost.

Robb

[Ivar B]

I own the APO SL 2/75 as well and I fully agree with others who claim that this is really a superlative lens. If money is no object, there is no better choice. None. I upgraded from the Sigma DG DN 1.4/85, not because I was unhappy with the Sigma, but a slightly used APO 75mm showed up at a good price. I don`t think you will see any difference in technical quality, but 1.4 is nice at times also when shooting portraits. But the APO 75 is stellar, and I have no intention of selling mine.  

[LocalHero1953]

I have the Summilux, and both 75 and 90 SL lenses, I have previously owned both M equivalents.

Note that the Apo-Summicron-M 75 has the benefit of a near close focus. It also has the benefit or defect of a short focus throw, while the Summilux-M 75 has a much longer throw.

For portraits on the SL for me it would be a close call between the Summilux-M and the Summicron-SL. If push came to shove, I would lose the Summicron-SL 75, keeping the 90SL and the Summilux 75 (is that cheating?). If I had to lose another, it would be tough. As an amateur, I think I would keep the Summilux. If I was shooting portraits for a living, I might keep the Summicron-SL 90 for its workhorse capabilities and perfect imaging. Choosing just between the Summilux-M 75 and Summicron-SL 75, it would be the same rationale.

There. Pick that apart!

[Jeff S]

On 6/2/2023 at 3:20 AM, robb said:

I’d pick it over the 1.25 even if they were the same cost.

 

https://www.streetsilhouettes.com/home/2018/3/24/leica-75mm-f125-noctilux-m-asph-part-ii
 

Jeff

[IkarusJohn]

I've had the 75 APO Summicron-M, APO Summicron-SL and Summilux-M.  I didn't gel so well with the APO Summicron-M, and sold it for the Summilux-M, and when I last rationalised my gear, I sold the APO Summicron-SL (reluctantly).

I'd suggest that the rational choice would be the 75 Summilux-M if you prefer manual focus (longer throw) and the vintage look wide open.  It is a superb lens, and tack sharp stopped down.  If you want a modern AF lens, state of the art, the 75 APO Summicron-SL is one of the best SL lenses, in my view (better than the 50 Summilulx-SL only because it is smaller and lighter) - it really is a fantastic lens as others have said.

I wouldn't go back to the 75 APO Summicron-M as it isn't as good as the SL version and doesn't have the character of the 75 Summilux-M.

Good luck!