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First Impressions of 75mm Summarit


c6gowin

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I forgot to mention that all photos were taken with Leica UV/IR filter mounted and lens detection set to "On+UV/IR". By the way, the push-on lens cap fits nicely over the filter. The cap is deep enough to accomodate the filter and it bottoms out against the aperature ring even with the filter mounted. There is no difference in lens cap fit with or without the filter.

 

I choose to make most of the photos thus far at the minimum focus distance and wide open just to see what I would consider the worst case scenario. Shooting up close, wide open, and hand held introduces more user error (at least that is my experience) so it probably isn't fair to judge the lens' absolute resolution on the photos I have posted above. I plan to do some controlled tests (tripod mounted camera and stationary subjects) to assess resolution, focus shift, etc. over the next few days. I do not have any other 75mm lenses so I cannot make direct comparisons against the others. Regardless, I am impressed with what I have seen so far.

 

More photos follow.

 

Daughter: iso 160, 1/125 sec, f 2.5, distance about 0.7 meters (maybe a smidge more)

Fountain: iso 160, 1/2000 sec, f 2.5, distance about 1.5 - 2 meters. I noticed there was some purple in highlights of the water in the crop processed in Lightroom (1st crop) so I have also included a crop processed in C1 (2nd crop). I tried to get the white balance, exposure, and size the same in both crops but that proved difficult. Regardless, I don't see the purple highlights as much in the C1 process crop.

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Luigi, sorry I don't have any other 75mm lenses. The closest I have is a 50mm Summilux ASPH and 90mm Summicron APO/ASPH. I have been lusting after a 75mm and was very happy to get this one to try out. I am sure Sean Reid or some of the other reviewers will be able to do a side-by-side comparision soon.

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I just finished testing for focus shift on the 75mm Summarit. I am happy to report I didn't see any focus shift great enough to move the original point-of-focus to an out-of-focus area through the full range of aperatures. I chose these words carefully because I don't want to get into a debate on the definition of focus shift. The in-focus area grows toward the rear more so than toward the front as the lens as it is stopped down. However, the original point of focus remains in focus as the aperature is stopped down.

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Guest guy_mancuso

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Leica is sending me a whole set to try out , should have them Friday as well as Sean getting them the same time. So we should have more to talk about after that. I will post on both forums as per leica's request.

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Leica is sending me a whole set to try out , should have them Friday as well as Sean getting them the same time. So we should have more to talk about after that. I will post on both forums as per leica's request.

 

Excellent Guy!

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Leica is sending me a whole set to try out , should have them Friday as well as Sean getting them the same time. So we should have more to talk about after that. I will post on both forums as per leica's request.

 

Exactly, so we'll have several perspectives on the lenses - which is great.

 

Mark Gowin, the samples look good. Thanks for the thread and the testing.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

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Robert, the colors are muted in my daughters photo because of the conditions at the time of the photo - late day in the shade made for a very low contrast photo. The lens did a good job of accurately representing the scene. I am sure I could enhance the photo with some post-processing, but wanted to limit my processing to white balance and exposure adjustment for this post.

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Sean and Guy,

 

I look forward to your reviews and impressions of the Summarits - not just the 75mm. I agree that more perspectives is great thing.

 

So far, my use of the lens has been limited to casual shooting with no formal tests other than for focus shift. I think I have already seen enough to make this lens my next purchase. I love the size/handling and image characteristics.

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Exactly, so we'll have several perspectives on the lenses - which is great.

 

Mark Gowin, the samples look good. Thanks for the thread and the testing.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

 

Maybe a comparison Summarit-Summilux 75mm would be possible now ...

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Robert, the colors are muted in my daughters photo because of the conditions at the time of the photo - late day in the shade made for a very low contrast photo. The lens did a good job of accurately representing the scene. I am sure I could enhance the photo with some post-processing, but wanted to limit my processing to white balance and exposure adjustment for this post.

 

I noticed it in the pictures of the leaves as well. It may just be the processing.

 

The lens looks plenty sharp and the out of focus areas look good.

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Guest guy_mancuso
Maybe a comparison Summarit-Summilux 75mm would be possible now ...

 

I have the Lux and was planning that one. Lenses that i have that are the same would be the 35 cron Version IV, 50 lux Asph, 75 lux and 90 apo . I would expect by the time we get to 5.6 things would pretty much be the same . Have to see though

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Some follow-up info.

 

Elvis, yes the 75 Summarit has 10 aperature blades which are slightly rounded.

Mark, I have included a crop of the small card which comes with the lens. Hopefully, there is enough resolution to read it. Basically, it is a thank you for buying a "Made in Germany" product.

I am growing to like the push-on metal lens cap more and more - it doesn't seem as fiddly as the pinch-on style. Also, to my eye the lens appears sharp without being harsh.

 

I have included another photo and crop taken with the lens stopped down to about 5.6.

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The images seem fine, but, but, dare I say, just a bit dull

 

not rushing to send my comparable FL to ebay.

 

Remember, these are 'price point' lenses

 

However, do NOT expect that paying twice the price will get you twice the qualituy. I think these lenses will be winners, but there will be room for the more traditional series when you want that extra edge..

 

victor

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I must admit that I am puzzled by the comments saying the photos appear dull. To my eye the images are a very close representation of the actual scenes - at least comparing my memory to the images on my computer. When Robert first mentioned the dull colors, I went back and tweaked the processing (e.g. levels) and had no trouble getting more pop out of the photos, but I didn't think they were as realistic. If there is a problem with the images, then it is my processing or monitor calibration, not the lens. Images taken with the Summarit compare favorably (on my computer) to my other Leica lenses in terms of color and rendition. Do others think the images are dull?

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