75mm lens.

[Danner]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

9 hours ago, pgk said:

I've owned the 75 Summilux and Summicron. I now own the Summarit. The Summilux is beautiful and whilst soft wide open, it has the smooth detail characteristic of an exceptional non-aspheric element lens. Fabulous but heavy and I found thet I simply didn't use it much at all. The Summicron is extraordinarliy precise but I had two copies of which only one was good. I think this is because the optics are complex interms of their mechanics and this needs precise adjustment. Great lens but again I didn't use it as much as I expected. It did deliver though. Now I own a (2.5) Summarit which gets more use than the other two and is an excellent performer if not as fast as the others, nor as biting as the Summicron. Summarits can currently be bought surprisingly cheaply. This won't last IMO.

Thanks.  I think you're right about the value heading north.  Looks like they're going in the US$1000-1200 range recently.  IIRC, they were under 1k not so long ago.

[pgk]

10 hours ago, Al Brown said:

75mm is the Leica "prodigy" focal length nobody knows they really hiddenly need as it is the peak focal length still sensible in M system.

I have a 90mm Summarit as well as a rather tatty 90mm Elmarit-M both of which produce excellent images. But that extra 15mm is significant and I'm aware that it is easier to focus a 75mm and the slightly wider view now seems to suit my photography better. I think that the 75/90 preference is both personal and dependant on what you are doing. Preferences can change too.

[Danner]

4 hours ago, pgk said:

I have a 90mm Summarit as well as a rather tatty 90mm Elmarit-M both of which produce excellent images. But that extra 15mm is significant and I'm aware that it is easier to focus a 75mm and the slightly wider view now seems to suit my photography better. I think that the 75/90 preference is both personal and dependant on what you are doing. Preferences can change too.

Agree about the 15mm difference.  But when pairing lenses, it does make a difference.  Doubling or halving of focal length is a significant lens change, where 'zooming with your feet' becomes somewhat impracticable.  More than doubling/halving starts to leave a gap, where a third lens in the kit becomes prudent.  For example, 35/75 is about 2x, whereas 35/90 stretched the focal length difference.  With 28mm at the wide end, 28/75 is OK, but 28/90 is too large a gap.  Also, the more precise focusing with 75mm over 90mm is a significant factor, not to mention the viewfinder frame lines sizes.  The more I read this thread, the more I want to find a 75mm lens for 35/75 or 28/75 pairing (over 35/90 or 28/90).

Edited January 25, 2024 by Danner

[NaAn]

16 hours ago, hepcat said:

I am from the times when the "classical trio" was the do-all setup.  I still subscribe to that;  however, being relatively brand-agnostic and having a great love of Canon Barnacks (and more especially the Canon lenses from that era,)  MY "classical trio" consists of the 1952 Canon 35mm f/2.8, a 1956 Canon 50mm f/1.5 Sonnar*, and the amazing 1954 Canon 85mm f/1.9.   I use them all on my M10-P as my regular "carry" kit.  They have never disappointed me, and the 85mm is just an excellent, all-round performer for portraits or when you need that little bit of extra "reach."

I've had a couple of 75mm lenses over the years, and just couldn't get them to work for me.  They're too wide for trying to frame a 50mm and not quite enough when the 85mm-90mm is the right tool.   BTW, like you, the 50mm is my go-to lens.  I carry the 35mm and 85mm for those few times when their use is appropriate. 

* I have temporarily swapped out the 50mm f/1.5 for my 1957 DR Summicron as the 50mm f/1.5 is in the shop for a lube and tune-up.  😉

What a collection! Brilliant.

[overexposed]

the 75cron has become one of my favorite lenses in a short time.

apart from portrait its also a great lens for landscape stopped down, to either to detail shots or for stitching work.

sharp from corner to corner.

but also wide open it still separates and object well from the background at lets say 50m distance

a must have lens in the M universe

[MaticB]

With Nikon, I had lens range from 16mm to 300mm, all primes, all top of the line. Then I put everything in for Leica M in 2015, combined with 50 summilux and 28 elmarit. In between, I change 28 elmarit for 28 summilux, got and sell 35 summicron, and finally finish where I'm today - with M10R BP and M11 Monochrom combined with 28 summilux, 35APO summicron, 50 summiluc CF and .... 75 summarit/2,4! My first wish was APO 75 summicron, but then I watched debate on Red Dot forum about 75mm lens. Direct comparison of summarit and summicron was not so obvious in favour of second one, and because my dealer had a new silver summarit for very affordable price, I took it. I knew even at purchasing date, I wouldn't use it extensively (50 summilux is perfect lens for many occasions), but when I do use it, it's perfect. It is easy for focusing(!), light, very sharp when stopped down a little bit and no-doubt, price-performant winner. Mine cost 1590 euros.

[rcusick]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I am finding myself using my 75mm summarit more than my 90mm macro Elmar recently for all the reasons mentioned above. 

[Topsy]

I much prefer my 75mm Summarit f2.5 to my 90mm Elmarit I think it is the sweet spot for a longer FL on an M camera, here's one from a walk I did on Dartmoor this Wednesday with my M9s.

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!

[NaAn]

Let’s continue the topic  🙂

I had a chance to try 75mm summicron apo, it was generously offered to me by one person on a workshop. Everything was out of focus but that time my understanding of m system camera was low. However, thinking to hire the lens for weekend and then I’ll have to decide what I really need.

 

 

[T25UFO]

Noticed on post #11 you mentioned owning the SL with 24-70.  Maybe just stick with the 50mm on M and buy SL 75mm APO.  You really can't go wrong with that lens, unless of course you want to use it on the M . . . then it gets difficult 😂

By the way, I really like your Monochrom photos . . .

[NaAn]

54 minutes ago, T25UFO said:

Noticed on post #11 you mentioned owning the SL with 24-70.  Maybe just stick with the 50mm on M and buy SL 75mm APO.  You really can't go wrong with that lens, unless of course you want to use it on the M . . . then it gets difficult 😂

By the way, I really like your Monochrom photos . . .

Thank you very much! It’s a whole new world in monochrome for me, I’m over the moon with our forum, where I can observe and learn from all members who shoot in black and white.

The idea is to use m lenses for m camera, I’m very simple user 😄 

[rpsawin]

I rarely shoot portraits and when I do its with a 75mm lens. When shooting landscape I always have a 75mm lens with me. It is one of my favorites.

[Jeff S]

6 hours ago, NaAn said:

The idea is to use m lenses for m camera, I’m very simple user 😄 

Guess I’ve been a simple user since the 80’s, using RF only, predominantly B&W, and typically Leica 28/35/50 M lenses.  Never bonded with the 75 frame lines.

Jeff

[IkarusJohn]

The space between a “normal” focal length (43mm in 135 format) and telephoto lenses has always been an interesting place - at 75mm, the lens is telecentric (ie, the light hits the sensor/film relatively parallel resulting in less distortion off centre) and there is less compression than when using something of 90mm or longer.  That makes the 75-85mm lens perfect for portraits, or for stitching landscapes.

In terms of choice, I tried the 90 APO Summicron, and for me it was too tight and focusing too hit and miss (the frame lines for a 90 are very small on an M camera, and the patch takes up too much of the frame).  So, for me it came down to character and usability of the 75mm lenses.

I started with the APO Summicron - while it was lovely and compact, I couldn’t get reliably sharp images.  It may have been my copy, but it was an unhappy relationship.  Then I came upon a 75 Summilux.  Now, logic would suggest that this beast of a lens (in Leica M terms) would be hard to nail focus wide open (it has a depth of field shallower than the Noctilux 0.95, from the same distance).  That was not the case.  I came to the conclusion that the difference for me was the length of the focus throw - it’s very short on the APO, where the Summilux (like the 50 Noctilux 0.95) has a longer rotation, making precise focus easier.  That made all the difference for me.

In terms of image character, the APO is a modern, Karbe era lens - something I like a lot.  The Summilux is a classic Mandler lens (his favourite, apparently), with that lovely dreamy look wide open, and very sharp stopped down.  It’s a keeper, for me.’I haven’t tried the Summarit, so can’t comment on that.

That does leave a conundrum - what to take?  I like wides, so the choice is typically whether to take an ultra-wide (the 21), a normal wide (28 or 35) and either a 50 or 75.  I tend to favour either 28-50 or 35-75 and the 21 if I think it will get used.

Edited January 27, 2024 by IkarusJohn

[IkarusJohn]

Duplicated

Edited January 27, 2024 by IkarusJohn

[evikne]

I've had several 50mm Summiluxes and one 75mm Summilux. With it, it was a little easier to isolate the subject from the background. The size and weight didn't bother me much. Unfortunately, I don't have it anymore. What I miss most from it is actually being able to shoot close-ups of small objects, almost like a macro lens. A 50mm can do most of the other things, I just need to get a little closer.

[stephan54]

As I wrote in an earlier reply I think the Summicron 75 is a very versatile lens and different from the 50mm (close ups are easier with the 75). As 90mm did not work for me, I added a Telyt 135. Mine is pretty well calibrated and I often leave it on my camera and make do. So my combination is 28 - 50 - 75 - 135

[pgk]

19 minutes ago, Al Brown said:

Having owned all three Leica M 75mm lenses (Summilux, Summarit and Summicron) I can attest the following with confidence (and tests):
While Summilux 75 stopped down to f/2.4 beats the Summarit wide open at f/2.5 in sharpness by a narrow margin, nothing beats the render (and sharpness) of APO-Summicron-M 75 f/2 ASPH wide open.

I think that these three lenses all have their place depending on th subject matter you shoot. The Summilux is soft and dreamy wide open and if this is the look you want and yu shoot at full aperture then it is a superb lens to use. Stopped down it exhibits high levels of detail but with that characteristic sperical design look which is never harsh. The Summicron is suited to man amde subject matter where punchy fine detail needs to be resolved with precision. It needs to be well adjusted though and not all are. When one is it can be a revelation producing extraordinarily detailed images. The Summarit is slower of course but is still a highly capable lens which is an allrounder and very capable if not exciting like the others. But such a dependable lens always has its place. You pays your money ad takes your choice. I liked both the Summilux and Summicron but didn't really use either to fulladvantage of its attibutes sufficiently to want to keep them The Summarit on the other hand is an easy lens to get on with so much of the time.

[IkarusJohn]

Monochrom, 75 Summilux-M (stopped down).

Sadly, in the process of re-organising my photo library, the DNG file got lost.  I only have this thumbnail, but blown up to a metre across, sharp across the frame.

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!

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[rsolomon]

You will likely struggle with it as I did, mostly on focus.  my original kit was 35 & 75 cron .... later to add a 21 and recently a 50. 

The 75 cron is awesome, I learned to use it properly when my 35 went in for adjustment leaving me with ONLY the 75. I have since learned this is the best method for learning a new lens .... I did not take it off my camera for months ... by the time my 35 came back I had pretty much completely understood this lens . it not just about reach, its POV (point of view) perspective , seeing the street, landscapes differently .  For me it was a lens that pushed me forward with my photography. Here's a few random samples  

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!

Edited January 28, 2024 by rsolomon