Summarit has arrived

[hlockwood]

I just picked up the 75mm Summarit from my local dealer. I shot off a few rounds in the shop just to get the feel of it. I'll finish off the roll quickly, provided the Boston weather cooperates.

The lens seems to balance nicely on the M7 and is a lot easier to handle than the 90mm cron (not surprising.) In fact, it's not much different from having the 50mm Hex mounted. (It's ~50 g heavier.)

I had ordered the hood as well, but that hasn't yet arrived. The hood is female, thus it screws onto the outside of the barrel. The lens comes with a hood-thread "protection ring" which is removed* to mount the hood. The hood can then be mounted either in the "working" direction or backward, with a fitted cap, when simply protecting the lens.

I'm hoping that the 35mm cron and this lens will cover much of what I'll shoot. It certainly is an easy kit to carry without a bag.

I'll report back with additional impressions and some pics ASAP.

Harry

*The protection ring was impossible to remove by just turning it, causing instant panic. But the old trick of using a sheet of rubber (actually a shoe sole) came to the rescue.

 

[Stu W]

Let us know how the new Summarit performs. I was thinking 75mm myself, but I think a VC lens would be more in my budget. Stu

 

[sepiareverb]

The 75 seems to be the best of the new Summarits from what I've read & seen, outperforming the 1.4 by a good bit, and about equalling the 2.0 ASPH from 2.5 on.

I got to handle one at a Leica event in Montreal in October, found it much like you did Harry, a very nice handling lens. The hood is very nice as well, I didn't see the 'protection ring' there, as the lenses had hoods going off and on a lot as different folks gave them a look see and fondle.

Enjoy!

 

[Roger Hicks]

Some 75 Summarit shots. It's nice. Shortly there will be a look at all four, for free, on the website: a new series called 'First Look'.

It doesn't have the 'magic' of the Summicron (which I own) but it's still very good and as a lens to use (in other words, if I couldn't sell it and get something else) I prefer the Summarit to the Summilux.

EDIT: Some problems with more than one file. More to follow.

Further edit: no there bloody isn't. I keep getting a message saying that the other pics are attached to Saturday Shootoff. The ivy shot is mainly for bokeh nuts.

Cheers,

R.

 

[peter_n]

Enjoy it Harry. The 35+75 makes just a wonderful pair. I was on vacation in Ireland recently and took that combo and a 50 (a pre-ASPH Summilux). I didn't use the 50 until the day before I left when I said "I'm not bringing this lens all the way over here and then not using it"! The 35+75 took care of everything, including a wedding. Terrific combination!

 

[thomasw_]

If I were to buy a L 75, then it would be this Summarit. Harry, I bet you will be very pleased with the results you get with it. I am happy for you! Sincerely, Thomas

 

[Nemo]

I prefer the Summarit to the Summilux.

Due to size and handling or rendering?

 

[Roger Hicks]

Due to size and handling or rendering?

Size, handling and cost. I've not used the Summilux enough to make much comment on rendering but I will add that d-o-f is thin enough with an f/2 that I'd have to have a very special need for a Summilux before considering one.

Cheers,

R.

 

[MCTuomey]

nemo, i've owned the VC 75, 75 cron, and 75 lux (not all at once). for pure "stun" quality, it's the lux, hands down, imho. for handling, the little VC (even better than the thin tele-elmarit). IQ and handling together, the cron. i think if handling matters, the 75 summarit might be even better as a compromise than the cron.

but that lux is just magical on the wide end of things ...

 

[john_s]

...........I had ordered the hood as well, but that hasn't yet arrived. The hood is female, thus it screws onto the outside of the barrel. The lens comes with a hood-thread "protection ring" which is removed* to mount the hood. The hood can then be mounted either in the "working" direction or backward, with a fitted cap, when simply protecting the lens.
.......................
*The protection ring was impossible to remove by just turning it, causing instant panic. But the old trick of using a sheet of rubber (actually a shoe sole) came to the rescue.

I also found that the threaded protection ring was extremely difficult to remove. I was about to order some special tools. My local Leica dealer/importer woudl be unlikely to be helpful since I imported it from Tony Rose.

Even when putting it back and barely tightening it at all it binds. I hope that the hood doesn't bind, especially in the reversed position, since it would make the lens impossible to use.

 

[Ronald M]

Put a very small trace amount of silicone paste lube on the threads. Plumbing supply.

I had that with my CV 25 and shade. Works fine. And I do mean a trace, not a glob.

 

[Vincenzo Maielli]

Congratulation, dear friend! Have always a nice light!
Ciao.
Vincenzo

 

[Mackinaw]

The 75 seems to be the best of the new Summarits from what I've read & seen, outperforming the 1.4 by a good bit....

How does the 75 Summarit perform at F1.4?

 

[john_s]

Put a very small trace amount of silicone paste lube on the threads. Plumbing supply.

I had that with my CV 25 and shade. Works fine. And I do mean a trace, not a glob.

I already had tried that by the time I read your suggestion, Ronald. But surprisingly, it makes no difference! It seems that the ends of the threads in the ring are finished in a sort of taper that jams. I suppose this is the difference between a $1400 lens and a $2800 lens.

I hope the thread on the hood is finished properly.

 

[mfunnell]

How does the 75 Summarit perform at F1.4?

Beat me to it! I love my 75 'lux, and will never part with it voluntarily (and its not just @f1.4, its the overall rendering) but it is a hefty beast. You probably have to love it to put up with it!

...Mike (with a case of Leica Elbow from using my 75/1.4 all yesterday afternoon)

 

[hlockwood]

How does the 75 Summarit perform at F1.4?

I tried to twist the aperture ring past f/2.5, but so far, no luck. Possibly with a special tool...

Harry

 

[hlockwood]

I also found that the threaded protection ring was extremely difficult to remove. I was about to order some special tools. My local Leica dealer/importer woudl be unlikely to be helpful since I imported it from Tony Rose.

Even when putting it back and barely tightening it at all it binds. I hope that the hood doesn't bind, especially in the reversed position, since it would make the lens impossible to use.

I agree, and FWIW, I mounted a Contax 46mm UV filter (internal thread), and it was smooth going on and off. No binding whatsoever.
I regard the thread protection ring, which is very thin, to be a throwaway until one has the hood in hand. I'm hoping Leica views it as such also.

I'll report back within minutes of getting the hood.

Harry

 

[sepiareverb]

The 75 seems to be the best of the new Summarits from what I've read & seen, outperforming the 1.4 by a good bit
...

How does the 75 Summarit perform at F1.4?

The 75 seems to be the best of the new Summarits from what I've read & seen, outperforming the 1.4 by a good bit, and about equalling the 2.0 ASPH from 2.5 on.
...

What an attention span. 😀

 

[mfunnell]

What an attention span. 😀

Well, you used a construction that implied an unqualified "outperforms" the 1.4 (by a good margin, no less) and a qualified "equals" the 2.0. So you pretty much invited that rejoinder 😉 If you're going to use fighting words, expect a fight! Remember, 75/1.4 owners are carrying rather heavy (and somewhat awkward) weapons 😀

...Mike

P.S. The new 75 looks to be a very sweet lens.