75 Summicron regrets?

[JohnnyRangefinder]

A question for those of you with more experience than myself -- which is not a tall order 🙂

Any 75 Summicron owners who 'regret' not opting for a Lux? I have no doubts about the quality and merits of both lenses, rather, I am on the fence about my upcoming choice. The price difference is not so great before owning one or the other, but if I were to purchase the more compact and laudibly sharp Cron, it is a big price difference to aquire a second 75, if you know what I mean -- not that one couldn't sell the Cron, etc...

Does that one extra stop make as big a difference, what with our greater digital ISO-latitude? If I was only to use it on my film body I might think so, but now I am confused.

My lens collection is made up mostly of Crons and a Tele-Elmar, so I am lacking a lens with the extra stop.

Without tipping my hand, I am leaning towards the 75 Cron with a 50 ASPH Lux(to replace my older Cron) to come sometime in the future.

Advice, experiences and examples are all welcome,

Sasha

 

[peter_n]

Its not the extra stop but the different look of the lenses that is the discriminator I think. The 75 Summilux has the signature of an older lens, very different from the Summicron. You can always get around a "slow lens" by using a faster film, or in your case (presumably) a higher ISO. (Sorry I don't know much about digital.) I made this choice a while back partly on the basis of the extra size & weight of the Summilux, and the fact that I already have a pre-ASPH 50mm Summilux that I would never give up for an ASPH version. So I have a 75 Summicron and a pre-ASPH 50 and that gives me a distinct difference in look - one tight in - one with a bit more context. BTW I think the 50mm ASPH gives a very similar look to the 75 ASPH but YMMV.

 

[awilder]

Your purchase depends entirely on what you want with image quality. The new ASPH will have more contrast and color saturation mostly at f/2 or f/2.8 with the 75. OTOH if the extra contrast may be a hindrance in harsh lighting. The 75/2 is certainly more compact if you don't need the extra stop but I like the longer more precise focus ring throw of the 75/1.4. If your older Summicon is the most current formula (since 1979), you'll gain little in optical performance except an extra stop.

 

[Nemo]

Look the Leicapassion (free, but written in Italian) magazine. One of the issues compare the Summicron and Summilux 75mm.

http://www.leicapassion.com/


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[dseelig]

75

75

I got the 75 summilux I found it on ebay buy it now for 1800 . AS these lenses are discontinued if you think you need the speed get it now as prices are rising fast. David

 

[CameraQuest]

take the time to read Sean Reid's latest 75 reviews

you will be more than surprized

Stephen

 

[jarski]

little newbish question, but I ask it anyway 😱

all Leica ASPH lenses have clear marking "ASPH" written to lens? there are not any of those out there, but just dont have it written?

 

[peter_n]

As far as I know they all have ASPH written on the rim around the front lens element or on the built-in lens hood.

 

[mervynyan]

I use 75AA at f2-f4 90% of the time, combine with fast films you will have a dreamy type of print yet the sharpness is outperform any other lenses I have seen. the graininess of the print is so evenly distributed that cropping is not necessary.

You will not regret it. 75lux is more heavy and now very hard to find new. if I come across an good one and reasonable price, I might take it as well.

 

[peter_n]

Mervyn I think you have the perfect two lens kit there: a 35mm and a 75mm. 😀

 

[usccharles]

i just recenctly purchased a 75 lux, and although i have no experience with 50 lux or 75 cron, it is pretty much the sharpest lens i have in my arsenal when shot wide open (i have 28 elmar, 35 lux, 50 noct, and a variety of other non leica glass). its simply amazing.

people complain about the size of this lens, but i find it fits very well in my hands. i'm really into small discreet lenses, but the 75 lux has seriously changed the way i shoot and i'm seriously considering selling my 50 nocti too because the 75. not that i don't love my 50 nocti but i just keep reaching for 75 more!

i guess the 75 cron and 75 lux would not make too much difference when considering you can change the ISO instead of changing the stop. but if your preference is strong bokeh and subject isolation, i would guess the 75 lux makes a big impact compared to the 75 cron. i've had a number of f/2, f/1.4 combos of the same focal length and the extra stop always makes a big difference.

and plus the 75 lux is no longer in production! get it if you can find it. if you don't like it sell it and its easy to find a 75 cron 😀

 

[Berliner]

I'm really into small/compact/discrete lenses too, so size was the main consideration for me. The AA 75 'cron & the ASPH 35 'cron are with me everywhere--, and I'm still shooting film--if the M8 handles high iso noise well, I think it'd (speed) be even less of an issue. I am considering selling a 90 & 50, and keeping a 28-35-75 kit. This would reduce my entire kit (including back-up body) to fit in one M bag.

Other than sheer size/ weight, the other difference is the 'look'--one's old school, the other high tech--they're both Leica's so you shouldn't be dissapointed either way.