75mm/2.5 Summarit Vs. 90mm/2.8 pre-asph Conundrum

[35mmdelux]

I got a good deal on a brand new 75mm/2.5 Summarit so I snagged it. I also have a 90mm/2.8 Elmarit-M (silver), which has proven to be an outstanding performer.

The other lenses I have are the 28mm/2.8 ASPH and the 35/1.4 ASPH.

On the long side I do not often use the 90mm, but nice to have one…. I want to try the 75mm Summarit to see if I use it more than the 90mm? I think the 90mm/2.8 EM pre-asph is about as good as it gets, short of the 90mm/2.0 APO. The advantage w/ the 75 Summarit is that it is lighter and possibly a FL that is more useful in practice? [I considered the 75mm VC but decided to go with the Summarit].

The 75mm and the 90mm are so close that I suppose one will need to go. What say ye?

Thanks, Paul

 

[ferider]

Loose the 90 🙂 28/35/75 work well together, IMO.

 

[JRG]

I find myself leaning more and more toward 35/75, with 25 for the occasional wider shot. It took me a while to realize that 75 offers a good view, but these days I rarely use other than 35 and 75.

 

[ferider]

The RFF way would be to add a 50 and have both 35/75 and 28/50/90 kits ... 🙂

 

[Tuolumne]

I like 35 and 75, too. I got the Summarit a few months ago. Great lens, IMHO. f2.5 is plenty fast for me in a 75mm. The DOF gets tricky lower than that. I usually shoot mine around f4 anyway.

/T

 

[vieri]

Keep them all 😀 all have a purpose, all have a use. I have the 75 Lux & 90 Cron, and wouldn't get rid of either - no way. 🙄

 

[35mmdelux]

I came about the 75mm FL in a strange sort of way...I acquired a 50mm/1.4 Zeiss ZF, but on my D200 it became a 75mm (with crop factor). I decided I liked it and when I went to take portraits I found myself dragging along this combo instead of the Leica 90mm!

Like many, I do not want to let go of any of my Leica gear. Truth be told, however, for formal portraits I much rather shoot the Hasselblad & 120mm CFI or my 4x5 & 240mm.

 

[Ben Z]

The 75mm and the 90mm are so close that I suppose one will need to go. What say ye?

Thanks, Paul

When I was using film Leicas (still do very occasionally, sold my M6s but kept my M4s) I never bothered with a 75, because to me it's too close to 50, not so much the 90. Once I need more than 50, I tend to want to go to at least 90, and usually 135. So it's all a matter of personal preference. They're all great lenses, optically.

 

[35mmdelux]

Keep them all 😀 all have a purpose, all have a use. I have the 75 Lux & 90 Cron, and wouldn't get rid of either - no way. 🙄

True as this may be, I do not work in this manner. Previously, at any one time I may have quite a few Leica lenses but when I hit the street it was usually with just the 35mm summicron. Closer to home another story..

The 90mm is cool as a tele when you can't get close to the subject. In actual street practice for me this is seldom the case.

 

[35mmdelux]

Unlike you, I just picked up a 2,8/90 Elmarit-M... And intend to keep it. 😛

I hear it's "pretty good." 😀

Well I have had my 90 more than a year. Nice piece too.

 

[thomasw_]

Paul, I agree with Roland who suggests you lose the 90mm. This is in fact my 2 RF kit situation; the 35/75 in one, and the 28/50 in the second. Unlike Vieri, once I started using the 75, I had no further use for anything longer in RF lenses. The 75 was never a focal length I was drawn toward, but since acquiring a very fine 75 recently, I have found it to be my 'go to' lens when I am thinking of portraiture. For my purposes, the 75 focal length is very flexible, much more so than the 85/90 focal length.

 

[maddoc]

My only problem with the 75mm FL (and that's also the reason why I never tried one) is the frame-lines for this FL in the VF. I haven't seen any RF camera for m-mount lenses (Leicas, ZI, Hexar RF) that has - for me - usable frame lines for 75mm and I would tend to use an external VF for this FL ... But if you can live with the 75mm frame-lines, I think the 75mm is a better choice over the 90 for you because the gap between 35mm and 90mm is quite large.

 

[35mmdelux]

First Impression

First Impression

My only problem with the 75mm FL (and that's also the reason why I never tried one) is the frame-lines ... But if you can live with the 75mm frame-lines, I think the 75mm is a better choice over the 90 for you because the gap between 35mm and 90mm is quite large.

I agree with you.... In my mind the 75 complements the 35. But from 35 to 90 is such a stretch as to be completely different.

For years I did not like the 75mm frame lines, but I noticed once I started shooting I do not even notice any of the frame lines anymore. (Even the smaller 90mm framelines fade away in my mind.)

I received the lens today and its pretty nice, balances well with the camera. Very ergonomic and the rubberized focus grip works well. Definitely a Leica lens. Shooting some film over the weekend and see how it performs.

Thank you -- Paul

 

[Doug]

I'm in maddoc's camp... I have Bessas L, T, R4, Leica M2, Minolta CLE, Zeiss Ikon, and Hexar RF, and among these the only RF with 75mm framelines is the Hexar, which is need of repair due to impact damage. 🙁

I do have the 2.5/75mm Heliar, occasionally used with an external viewfinder on the Bessa-T, and I like it a lot. I've been tempted by the 75 Summicron, whose praises have been sung here...

 

[35mmdelux]

Paul, I agree with Roland who suggests you lose the 90mm. This is in fact my 2 RF kit situation; the 35/75 in one, and the 28/50 in the second. Unlike Vieri, once I started using the 75, I had no further use for anything longer in RF lenses....

Agreed; the 28/50 is a great combination. I used this combo on various trips, with the 28mm/2.8 (IV) staying on most of the time. The 50mm summilux pre-asph really kicking in during lowlight.

Tks for your feedback. Paul

 

[35mmdelux]

I do have the 2.5/75mm Heliar, occasionally used with an external viewfinder on the Bessa-T, and I like it a lot. I've been tempted by the 75 Summicron, whose praises have been sung here...

I considered the 75 Cron as well, but it would have cost twice as much (used!) and was more than I was prepared to pay for the extra half stop.

 

[noimmunity]

RFF whiz-dom!!!

RFF whiz-dom!!!

The RFF way would be to add a 50 and have both 35/75 and 28/50/90 kits ... 🙂

Having two different kits isn't pointless, especially if they are specified in different ways with respect to size/speed/look.

If it's a poll, I say keep both and get the 50. Otherwise, my vote is with the 75. After that you could pick up a 135 cheap and easy.

35-75 is my main combo, because I mostly focus on people. I think if you focus on ambience and 'scapes, the 28-50 combo is better, but either combo can work either way.

Two ideas about framelines: First, Stephen Gandy has CV75 VFs on sale. The view through these is lovely. Second, the 75 FL on the Bessa R3a is ideal. And it would be no problem to focus the summarit on it. Eventually I want one for my 75.

 

[noimmunity]

The RFF way would be to add a 50 and have both 35/75 and 28/50/90 kits ... 🙂

at least y'all know who is responsible for getting me into this mess!