75mm or 90mm?

Thanks for the responses

Thanks for the responses

Many thanks for all the excellent and thoughtful responses. Given that so many of you came up with good reasons for having either of them, the answer to my original question seems to be: Both!

Here's another factor to toss into the argument: use on a digital camera, which at the moment means the M8. In this scenario the 75 is acting like, what, 100mm? while the 90 is out at 120mm? That latter is a bit long, and (given the M8's VF magnification) will be harder to use anyway. So if future compatibility is an issue (leaving aside for the minute the prospect of an M or M-compatible with a full-frame sensor), then the 75mm would be the better buy; a 90 would have less utility. (This is where I get flooded with responses from people who are happily using a 90mm on their M8...) in the long-term.

Sorted, then - I'll have a new 75mm Summicron and s/h 90mm Elmarit!
 
helpful diagram, roland. i usually print portraits at 8x10 and now i realize why 90 framelines correspond a bit more to what i like on the negative than the 75 framelines (single subject).

the 75 FL is really nice for groups of 2-3 at a comfortable distance. in one of the 75 cron threads, there were some really fine small group shots that displayed what the 75FL can do in good hands at weddings, events, etc.

pablito, have you given it an extensive trial or were the 90 lines just too cramped for you to bother?
 
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I have had a 90mm Summicron for a long time, first one is a chrome one from the M3 era and I also have an ASPH. When I purchaed my 75 ASPH, I noticed that for head shots I got a much better DOF and incidence of correctly focused pictures on the eye which is what I use as an aim point. So now I use the 75 for portraits and the 90 only when I need the reach for non-head shots.-Dick
 
I think the floating element in the 75 makes a big difference in close-up focusing. I sold my 90 ASPH because I was unhappy with the performance at close range.
 
My M6 has the 0.72 finder and honestly I can't think of the last time I used it with anything other than a 50mm or 35mm lens. I had a 90mm Elmarit for a year but never warmed to it - on the 0.72 M6 it feels like the 90 framelines are barely bigger than the RF patch, which I found distracting. For me the 75mm Summilux is OK on the M6 with a magnifier, but I find this lens more satisfying to use on the ZI (also with magnifier).

Tom (OP) - I think you have it right: go for a 75mm AND a 90mm. I see nothing at all wrong with a 4-lens kit, especially if the lenses have different signatures. A year from now you will know which of the group spends too much time off the camera, and sell it/them.
 
I use my 75 Summilux more than my 90 Elmarit V1, and I always carry my 50 Summilux ASPH. For me, the 75 'lux is completely different than my 50 and 90. Some will substitute one focal length for another, but the truth is they are different animals and within focal lengths the various lenses available have unique attributes. Only you can decide which focal lengths and choices within those focal lengths suit your photography.
 
jmkelly said:
My M6 has the 0.72 finder and honestly I can't think of the last time I used it with anything other than a 50mm or 35mm lens. I had a 90mm Elmarit for a year but never warmed to it - on the 0.72 M6 it feels like the 90 framelines are barely bigger than the RF patch, which I found distracting. For me the 75mm Summilux is OK on the M6 with a magnifier, but I find this lens more satisfying to use on the ZI (also with magnifier).

Tom (OP) - I think you have it right: go for a 75mm AND a 90mm. I see nothing at all wrong with a 4-lens kit, especially if the lenses have different signatures. A year from now you will know which of the group spends too much time off the camera, and sell it/them.
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You reminded me of something. I'm barely comfortable using the 75 on my .72 M6 without the 1.25 magnifier, but I find the 90 to be almost unusable without it. Somehow I think a .85 body is in my future for 75 and/or 90 usage.
 
My first M system was a 21/35/90 and I loved it. While the 21 not so much, the 35 and 90 were the bees knees. While I have a 50 on my Nikon RF, I never much used that focal length on any of my Bessas or Leicas. I think you could do very well with a good 28 and a 75 as a two lens kit. Making it a three lens kit by adding a 15/4.5 and you are done. 35 to 90 is a perfect jump where as 28 to 75 is equally good.

YMMV.

B2 (;->
 
IIRC the 0.85 M6 doesn't have framelines for 28mm. Is 28mm equivalent to the whole finder window? Will a 28mm lens bring up the 90mm frameline on this body?
 
For me the choice would be the 90, simply because I have an M3, so no framelines for the 75... (although right now I just have a 50 and 135...which is very usable w/ the M3)

However my travel kit for a long time was my contax G2 with 21, 35, 90. It worked like a charm, and I never really felt much of a hole between the 35 and 90.
 
Ken Ford said:
You reminded me of something. I'm barely comfortable using the 75 on my .72 M6 without the 1.25 magnifier, but I find the 90 to be almost unusable without it. Somehow I think a .85 body is in my future for 75 and/or 90 usage.
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You need to add in the price of a magnifier with either lense IMHO. I have a 75 Lux and the new 1.40X magnifier for use with a 0.72 M6. This with a 35/2.0 Cron is a great two lense setup for every day carry.

The 1.40X with your 0.85 M6 TTL is kinda ideal for a 90. A 1.25X is optimal for a 75.

Saturday, shot handheld inside a crowded gallery opening. A jazz trio that included my friend on guitar played on a balcony. The crowd was big. The 75/1.4 fully open was the best lense. What was said about using a 75mm for small groups in an earlier post applied. A 90mm would not have been practical.

If I could ever add a second Leica body it would be one with a 0.85 finder. (I wear glasses and for me the 0.72 is need for use with my 35/2.0) Consider keeping the 35; getting a 75 with a 1.25X; and then eventually adding a 90 with a 1.40X. Still one body, but three lenses, and not too heavy a kit. A Domke J-803 satchel that is like a book bag makes a nice package.

Cal
 
I have 35, 50, and 90 lenses in M mount. Never had a use for 75mm in either RF or SLR usage. The 35+90 combo works for me, although the v1 Elmarit 90 is too heavy (I carry the Elmar).
 
I think this decision is easier on the M8 because 75mm vs 90mm translates basically in 50mm (67mm) vs 75mm (100mm). The larger spread (33mm vs 15mm on film) here justifies owning both IMO.
 
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