Help Deciding Between 75 or 90 APO

[JTLeica]

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Hi guys,

I am looking for a sounding board and any opinions please 😀

As of last week I am now an SL shooter, I never actually thought I would be until I held an SL 35mm APO and realised how superbly made it was, and the journey began. I am replacing a Nikon Z system which I have used for the last 4.5 years.I have a zoom trio on the 14-24, 24-70 and 100-400 - I need these for the landscape work I do as I dont always want to change lenses in certain locations. I bought the SL though, mainly to use APO Summicrons, to get the most out of the sensor.

I have the following lenses:

35mm APO Summicron SL

50mm APO Lanthar M

90mm APO Summicron M

What would you guys do?

I always think a 90 is very slightly restrictive, although I love it for landscapes...

I am leaning towards a 75, have not owned one since the 75 Lux a long while ago and I feel it might be a little more flexible, and maybe pairs better with the 35? Plus I am concerned that if I buy the 90, I will inevitably want to fill the gap with a 50mm APO 😂

Thanks in advance

Edited June 10, 2024 by JTLeica

[Essummi]

It depends on where and what you want to shoot. Indoors you often have smaller distances for portraits. Then the 75 mm fits better. I have supplemented the 35mm with 75mm and am very satisfied. You already have a 90mm APO and probably an adapter. The 90mm M is for landscapes (where you often stop down a little) certainly almost as good as the 90 SL.

[spydrxx]

Ahhh...just buy both, then you won't fret about not having the right lens for the shot.😁 In all seriousness though, only you can decide which, if either lens fits your needs. It sounds like you have a bit of GAS presently, which should pass as you become more familiar with your new gear...it is easy to slip into becoming a collector rather than a user.

[Stuart Richardson]

The 90mm APO M works very well on the SL. The 90 SL will be easier to use and a bit better overall, particularly up close.  But the 90mm APO M is already better than the 90-280mm (I have both), so I think you are pretty well catered to at 90mm if you already have the 100-400 and the 90mm APO M. The 75mm APO on the other hand pairs perfectly with your 35mm, and will give you the same kind of experience with a very versatile focal length. I have the 50mm and it is my most used lens, but I think 75mm and 50mm are not quite as close as they appear. 75mm is a notable step closer, and that is particularly noticeable in landscape work. I use around that focal length a lot in landscape work (a 150mm on 6x7 is close to 70mm, and a 210 or 450 on 4x5 or 8x10 is around 65 or so). It brings in distant features nicely without compressing them too severely. It is pretty natural to how we view a distant landscape. It also is a brilliant focal length for portraits. If you have an SL2 or SL3, the extra resolution means that you can crop in quite a bit and still have really good results. I think you should go with your gut here and get the 75mm.

Edited June 10, 2024 by Stuart Richardson

[LocalHero1953]

I use those focal lengths more for portraits than landscapes, so my experience may not be relevant. I have recently had the Apo-Summicron-SL 75 and 90, the Summilux-M 75 and the Sigma DG DN 85/1.4, as well as the 24-90SL and 90-280SL. I sold the Apo-Summicron-SL 90 as it was covered too much by other lenses with both modern and 'classic' rendering, not because I didn't want a lens in that length. All the others have their places, depending on what (or rather who) I am shooting (portraits, actors, dancers), and the circumstances (leisurely vs fast, planned shoot vs unpredictable).

[Sohail]

I used to own the 75 SL, but sold it and got the 90 SL. Beautiful lens, but I sold it primarily for four reasons. (1) It was too close to the 50 Summilux SL, which I own; (2) I missed the additional compression you get for headshots with the 90; (3) the 90 does detail shots very well; and (4) the 90 is great for street shots in which you want to isolate a subject in a crowd. Some examples of the 90 SL:

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The 90 (for my needs) is more versatile.

Edited June 10, 2024 by Sohail

[01af]

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When it comes to 75 vs 90 mm (on 35-mm full-frame format) then I prefer 75 mm on Leica M and 90–105 mm on SLR, DSLR, and DSLM cameras.

[Dr. G]

I had the 75 APO and the 90 APO.  I can use the 75 for pretty much everything I would with the 90 and it's a little more versatile.  I actually think the 75 is sharper than the 90, but it could have just been copy variance.  I sold the 90.  I am, however, thinking of getting another one - but it's more for reach than rendering as I do more candid types of photography and portraiture.  

[mokona]

5 hours ago, Sohail said:

  (4) the 90 is great for street shots in which you want to isolate a subject in a crowd. 

I was surprised to find out the 90 is indeed useful for street shots

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[JTLeica]

17 hours ago, Essummi said:

It depends on where and what you want to shoot. Indoors you often have smaller distances for portraits. Then the 75 mm fits better. I have supplemented the 35mm with 75mm and am very satisfied. You already have a 90mm APO and probably an adapter. The 90mm M is for landscapes (where you often stop down a little) certainly almost as good as the 90 SL.

I think it makes sense not to double up on two 90’s yes and as you say I have a 100mm too on the zoom. That said I won’t be taking the lot with me ever, mostly the three zooms will go together or the two primes and a Leica Q.

I have been extremely impressed by the 90 M for landscapes so I think I’ll stick with this.

 

[JTLeica]

17 hours ago, spydrxx said:

Ahhh...just buy both, then you won't fret about not having the right lens for the shot.😁 In all seriousness though, only you can decide which, if either lens fits your needs. It sounds like you have a bit of GAS presently, which should pass as you become more familiar with your new gear...it is easy to slip into becoming a collector rather than a user.

Yeah I think I have it permanently, but I do use my equipment an awful lot and I’m no collector. Nobody would want my collection of well used, sand blasted lenses that I still occasionally wipe clean with my t shirt.

[JTLeica]

17 hours ago, Stuart Richardson said:

The 90mm APO M works very well on the SL. The 90 SL will be easier to use and a bit better overall, particularly up close.  But the 90mm APO M is already better than the 90-280mm (I have both), so I think you are pretty well catered to at 90mm if you already have the 100-400 and the 90mm APO M. The 75mm APO on the other hand pairs perfectly with your 35mm, and will give you the same kind of experience with a very versatile focal length. I have the 50mm and it is my most used lens, but I think 75mm and 50mm are not quite as close as they appear. 75mm is a notable step closer, and that is particularly noticeable in landscape work. I use around that focal length a lot in landscape work (a 150mm on 6x7 is close to 70mm, and a 210 or 450 on 4x5 or 8x10 is around 65 or so). It brings in distant features nicely without compressing them too severely. It is pretty natural to how we view a distant landscape. It also is a brilliant focal length for portraits. If you have an SL2 or SL3, the extra resolution means that you can crop in quite a bit and still have really good results. I think you should go with your gut here and get the 75mm.

Cheers Stuart I think this is what I am going to do. It makes sense to me. I do have an SL3 so I am rather lucky to say the least. 

I’ll buy the 75, I am done after that.

I have heard Leica prices will rise this month so maybe it’s not a bad time to buy.

 

[JTLeica]

10 hours ago, Dr. G said:

I had the 75 APO and the 90 APO.  I can use the 75 for pretty much everything I would with the 90 and it's a little more versatile.  I actually think the 75 is sharper than the 90, but it could have just been copy variance.  I sold the 90.  I am, however, thinking of getting another one - but it's more for reach than rendering as I do more candid types of photography and portraiture.  

Thanks Dr G,

I will do this. I still have longer lenses on the M so I am not struggling really. 

I think 35 and 75 will be just right.

Thanks again 

[mokona]

On 6/10/2024 at 8:47 PM, Dr. G said:

I had the 75 APO and the 90 APO.  I can use the 75 for pretty much everything I would with the 90 and it's a little more versatile.  I actually think the 75 is sharper than the 90, but it could have just been copy variance.  I sold the 90.  I am, however, thinking of getting another one - but it's more for reach than rendering as I do more candid types of photography and portraiture.  

a bit off topic but I heard good thing about the Panasonic 100mm macro.... since we're talking about reach.... and rendering still looking nice for portraiture even though it's labeled "macro".... 

I think I'll end up buying the Pana 100mm even though I already own the Leica 90 SL.

[trickness]

75 can be used more as a general lens, 90 is more tight, better for portraits. I have the 75 and it's a dream lens. Really depends on what your use case is but seems a 35/75 combo would be nice and then you wouldn't "need" the 50.

[Dr. G]

5 hours ago, mokona said:

a bit off topic but I heard good thing about the Panasonic 100mm macro.... since we're talking about reach.... and rendering still looking nice for portraiture even though it's labeled "macro".... 

I think I'll end up buying the Pana 100mm even though I already own the Leica 90 SL.

I had that lens for a few weeks.  It's a great lens and super sharp.  I ended up swapping it for a 21 APO because I needed something wider more than something tighter. 

[JTLeica]

A quick update from me.

Thanks for all the help here, I have bought a new 75mm APO for £3900. One retailer is selling £500 off the new price so I went for it and its sat next to me at the moment, not used yet though.

I now need to start creating some images!

[jplomley]

On 6/10/2024 at 9:18 AM, LocalHero1953 said:

I use those focal lengths more for portraits than landscapes, so my experience may not be relevant. I have recently had the Apo-Summicron-SL 75 and 90, the Summilux-M 75 and the Sigma DG DN 85/1.4, as well as the 24-90SL and 90-280SL. I sold the Apo-Summicron-SL 90 as it was covered too much by other lenses with both modern and 'classic' rendering, not because I didn't want a lens in that length. All the others have their places, depending on what (or rather who) I am shooting (portraits, actors, dancers), and the circumstances (leisurely vs fast, planned shoot vs unpredictable).

Very very curious how the 85/1.4 DG DN compares to the 75 and 90 APO's? I have the 21/35/75 APO trio and just recently picked up the 50/1.2 DG DN Art lens to see what all the hoopla was about! Needless to say, I am absolutely floored by the performance of this Sigma lens. So I am now looking hard at some of their other offerings, including the 14/1.4 and 85/1.4.....hoping we see a 28/1.2 offering from them in the near future.

Edited June 13, 2024 by jplomley

[LocalHero1953]

1 hour ago, jplomley said:

Very very curious how the 85/1.4 DG DN compares to the 75 and 90 APO's? I have the 21/35/75 APO trio and just recently picked up the 50/1.2 DG DN Art lens to see what all the hoopla was about! Needless to say, I am absolutely floored by the performance of this Sigma lens. So I am now looking hard at some of their other offerings, including the 14/1.4 and 85/1.4.....hoping we see a 28/1.2 offering from them in the near future.

I never own all the lenses I want to compare at the same time! I sold the Apo-Summicron-SL 90 before getting the Sigma or Summilux-SL 50.
Here's a set comparing the Summilux-SL 50, the Summilux-M 75 and the Apo-Summicron 75, with a couple more comparing the first two further down the page.
I'll see if I can find a willing model to let me add the Sigma to the comparison.

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[jplomley]

1 hour ago, LocalHero1953 said:

I never own all the lenses I want to compare at the same time! I sold the Apo-Summicron-SL 90 before getting the Sigma or Summilux-SL 50.
Here's a set comparing the Summilux-SL 50, the Summilux-M 75 and the Apo-Summicron 75, with a couple more comparing the first two further down the page.
I'll see if I can find a willing model to let me add the Sigma to the comparison.

Fantastic set!