2nd lens for newbie -- 75 or 90mm?

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I currently have a .72x MP with a 'cron 35 f/2 ASPH, and would like to add a telephoto for my second lens. I've read most of the previous threads on lenses, and happily realize that I can't make a wrong decision! Instead of focusing on a particular lens, I welcome input on the pros & cons of 75mm versus 90mm.

 

I'm a real amateur, barely shooting one roll (alternating between b&w and color) of film every month, mostly typical travel shots, family and street scenes. My eyes are a bit better than 20:20, but my image composition still needs a lot of work . . .

 

There are times when I would like to take portraits (but not in a studio) or zoom in on an object in the distance, so I would like to get a telephoto as my next lens. (It'll probably be many years before I get a 3rd lens.) I've played with a 75mm (Summicron f/2 ASPH) and a 90mm (Summarit f/2.5), and have been happy with both. For the type of shooting I do, the extra f-stop is not as big an issue as the focal length.

 

So, would a 75mm or 90mm telephoto be more suitable? Thanks in advance!

[Guest Austerby]

A lot of it may depend on your budget and if buying new or used -

 

- if new then 75 cron is less expensive than a 90 cron, though the new Summarits seem to be the same

- if used then there are plenty of 90mm out there but very few 75mms around.

 

Putting cost to one side for a moment, I would suggest the major difference may lie in your preference about the handling of the lenses - the 75 is smaller physically but arguably not significant in magnification.

 

Neither will be a bad choice - I have the 75 crom and the 90 tele-elmarit - both of which I use but I could have bought about five of the 90's for the price of the 75...

[sepiareverb]

I'd suggest the 75, as the learning curve would likely be shorter. The 90 seems a lot longer than the 75 in use, and especially in the M VF the 75 might be easier to settle into.

[JBA]

Play with the frameline lever and practice composing with the different framelines to see which lens would suit you better. This is one great advantage of the Leica rangefinders; you can check to see exactly how a shot would look with a different lens.

[Kent10D]

That is such a difficult question, and the "correct" answer will be more personal than scientific.

 

Since you have a 35 I'd be tempted to go with a 75. If you already had a 50, on the other hand, I'd suggest a 90. If you do go with a 90, I'd suggest getting a viewfinder magnifier as well, which will make the tiny 90 framelines a tad bigger as well as making focusing a bit easier (might even be a good idea with a 75). In general I think you'll find a 75 to be easier to use.

[lct]

...There are times when I would ... zoom in on an object in the distance...

90 is the way to if you're not too keen to zoom with your feet but you'll miss a 50 soon or late as there is a gap between 35 and 90. Otherwise you cannot go wrong with 35/75.

[rob_x2004]

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Depends what you are going to do with it. A 50 will still satisfy portraiture, specially in familiy and travel. I have 35 & 75 and out of several hundred rolls in my last three trips I have shot about five to ten frames with the 75, I find it a very specific lens. I use the 75cron regularly at home just for the sake of using it, and like all leica glass it is stunning.

 

Being new to rangefinders there would be plenty of good argument for not playing the theoretical numbers game and having a good hard look at the fifty. And note the fifties framelines...best of the lot. Lens selection is very personal, and maybe you need to come to terms with what you want to shoot and how you wish to shoot it.

 

Probably the best advice is use the 35 more till things are a little more familiar and clear to you.

[ndjambrose]

Since your current lens is a 35, I'd suggest you get a 75.

 

You'll find that the transition between the two lengths is quite smooth - a lot of middle ground, in other words. If you had the 90 you'd probably find you were rather restricted - everything would have to be moderately wide or rather long. It's not a very versatile combination.

 

However, if you had the 50 then I'd recommend the 90 for the same reasoning. You don't really want too big a gap in your line-up.

[wizard]

Check if you are comfortable with the close spacing of the 50/75 brightlines in your finder. I didn't like it and had the 75 brightlines removed, as I tended to mix them up especially when shooting quickly and with glasses, which is when I have difficulties in seeing the entire frame at a glance.

 

35/75 and 35/90 are both good combos, it is I believe a matter of personal preference which one to pick. I am definitely a 35/90 guy!

 

Andy

[Ivar B]

It may also be relevant that if you at one point of time should buy an M8, the 75mm will be the better choice. With 0.75 sensor size, the 75mm will be the equivalent of 75/0.75 = 100mm and the 90 will be 90/0.75 = 120mm. which may be a bit too much.

[wizard]

It may also be relevant that if you at one point of time should buy an M8, the 75mm will be the better choice.

 

Ivar,

 

by that point in time it may well be the M9, and that one will be full frame (which makes the 90mm the better choice).

 

Best regards,

 

Andreas

[rafael_macia]

George,

 

Yours is a difficult choice.

Logic would dictate doubling your focal length when adding a second lens.

I bought a 75 new, and ended selling it because I used it so little. The design of the 75 is fantastic. A short focus throw, and wonderfully (for my taste),balanced to an M body. But for me I hated having to use the stupid picture corner frame lines (not even lines) the M gives to the 75. Often I would forget, and compose with the 50 lines.

 

The 90 choice is for you is less interesting, because of the .72 magnification. the frame lines for the 90 are better used in an .85 body. You could use a magnifier, but they are also awkward to use. (for me).

 

If the use of the 90 is occasional then I would suggest the new 90 Macro f4 (which are at a good price right now in like new condition.), ....or an older Tele Elmarit 90 2.8 which you can get for not much money and it is just slightly larger than a 50mm lens

Research, and patience is (I think ) the key

Good luck!

 

Rafael

[frc]

Trying a 90 on an M for the first time, it looks odd, small frame lines!

A 75 looks better for starters. But!

Having a whole range from 21 up to 90, the standard is still 35.

The tele is always 90.

The Summilux 75 is my one trick pony for concert and theatre photography.

Never use it for anything else.

The 90, love it for portraits.

But it still a personal thing.

A film per month or five per day it doesn't matter.

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[john_newell]

I had a 75mm Summilux and never really could get the framelines to work for me. Ultimately I sold it. I use 50s and 90s (with 21 and 35 below those focal lengths).

[JBA]

I'm also a relative M newbie, and over the past few weeks have shot ten rolls with my M6 and 35 'Cron. After checking many potential compositions with the alternate framelines and having actually had several different lenses on my camera at various shops, I've decided to go with the 50 and 90 as my next lenses.

 

Though I'm basically settled on aspherical glass, it would be nice to see a series of shots comparing the asphericals with the new Summarits.

[fefe]

If 75 is too short and 90 too long, there are also quite a few 85mm f/2 available from Zeiss (M), Canon, Nikon (LTM) all sonnar derivates. If you cannot decide between the 2 focal lengths it is kind of inbetween , and 90 framelines are ususally good enough for these. The used versions of the old Canon and Nikon also go on auctions for reasonable amounts (200-400$).

 

There is also the 75 voightlander which seems to be a good and cheap alternative to the Summarit.

 

I was in the same situation as you and I ended up going for the old Nikon 85, and am happy with everything about it besides its weight/size.

[Michael-IIIf]

Play with the frameline lever and practice composing with the different framelines to see which lens would suit you better. This is one great advantage of the Leica rangefinders; you can check to see exactly how a shot would look with a different lens.

 

This would be my advice too. There is no point in anyone telling you what the "correct" lens for your requirement is because the answer is totally personal. Play with the framelines and see which take your fancy.

 

For what it's worth, I use a 35 as my standard lens and I bought a 75 which I hardly use. I think it is too long for me. I also have an old 90 (Elmar) which I never use. But it's a personal choice thing, others here make great use of 90s.

[SteveYork]

You received some good advice here. I'm not sure there is a wrong answer to your question -- they are both very good lenses. I have the classic outfit of 35-50-90 and it works very well for me. I've never used the 75mm focal length, but from viewing the frame lines, I've always felt it was more of a standard then telephoto -- in practical terms.

 

Do you ever plan to add a 50mm lens? If so, then I would opt for the 90mm, because the 75 and 50 are too close.

 

What are your most important subjects? People, things, ect. Which focal length will you use most to capture those subjects?

 

The 75mm Summicron ASPH is an outstanding lens. I would have one if I did not already have a 50mm Summilux ASPH.

 

One of the principals I've learned from my adventures in Leica Land is that there is no substitute for trial and error. Yes, it may be expensive, and you want to make informed choices, but there's rarely a bad choice. Go ahead and get one; use for six months or so; and if at the end of that time you feel you would use the other more, then get rid of the one you have, ect.

[Photoskeptic]

George, I had a 90 Cron. Very sharp lens w/super bokeh. OTOH, it is big and heavy. I would go with the 75 if it were me. As someone else said, the 75 is difficult to find used, while there are all sorts of 90's about. Good luck, either one will complement your arsenal.

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[peter_n]

The 75 makes for a great pair with the 35 so I would either go with the Leica Summicron 75 or the Cosina Voigtlander 75. There is also the new Leica Summarit 75/2,5 which you might want to take a look at. I was sceptical of the 75mm focal length until I actually used it - it is like having a standard 50mm on the cam but you are 2-3 steps back. The Leica Summicron is a stunning lens...