Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
The CV 75/1.8 is an outstanding lens. If you have any mechanical savvy at all, it is easily modified to close focus a few inches closer than the stock setup.
Phil Forrest
Phil Forrest
75mm: Yes or No
- Thread starter ktmrider
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raid
Dad Photographer
The 75/1.4 Lux is not light and not cheap either. I would not take it along on trips.
ktmrider
Well-known
Think I will just use the 35f2.8 C-Biogon, 50 Summicron and 90 TeleElmar M. All three are small compact lenses for travel. The C-Biogon may be the sharpest 35 made; 50 Summicron is chrome and the latest version, and TeleElmar is no larger then the 50.
GAS attack is over.
GAS attack is over.
DwF
Well-known
ktmrider- I can understand what you've arrived at here. For me the fascination to try a 75mm came recently. So I now have the CV 75mm f Heliar1.8 which as Phil F stated here, is an outstanding lens. And it is built solidly like my 90mm "Fat" Tele. I knew that it wouldn't replace my 50 going out or traveling.
I decided then that personally I'd prefer a fast lens to the Summarit or CV Color Heliar and worry less about size. The CV 75 f 1.8 has a really nice quality and rendering wide-open. For portraits, I'm more likely to use it now than my 90 but I really like having the 90 for landscapes and even the occasional soccer game or event.
I decided then that personally I'd prefer a fast lens to the Summarit or CV Color Heliar and worry less about size. The CV 75 f 1.8 has a really nice quality and rendering wide-open. For portraits, I'm more likely to use it now than my 90 but I really like having the 90 for landscapes and even the occasional soccer game or event.
The 2.8/35mm C-Biogon is a great little lens on film, but on an M9 it gave reddish band esp on the right side, so I sold it... might be better on the M240. No such problem on my other 35s (v1 Summicron, 1.4 Nokton, f/2 Biogon, Summilux ASPH)
I had a new Voigtlander 2.5/75mm, very nice compact size, well-built, but despite praise from others I found it just somewhat "dull" in rendition. Maybe I had a poor sample, but I sold it. I must have a good sample of the f/1.8 Heliar because it's noticeably crisper, more brilliant. Sean Reid has a nice review of it, and I agree with his finding that it has a slight soft glowiness until about f/2.8, then as sharp as can be from f/4. Code as a Summilux....
I do like the 75mm framing, very comfortable to use, and on an RF I'm not fond of 90mm even though I've had a Tele-Elmarit for 50 years. Odd because I do like 85mm with an SLR, maybe it's the RF framelines.
I had a new Voigtlander 2.5/75mm, very nice compact size, well-built, but despite praise from others I found it just somewhat "dull" in rendition. Maybe I had a poor sample, but I sold it. I must have a good sample of the f/1.8 Heliar because it's noticeably crisper, more brilliant. Sean Reid has a nice review of it, and I agree with his finding that it has a slight soft glowiness until about f/2.8, then as sharp as can be from f/4. Code as a Summilux....
I do like the 75mm framing, very comfortable to use, and on an RF I'm not fond of 90mm even though I've had a Tele-Elmarit for 50 years. Odd because I do like 85mm with an SLR, maybe it's the RF framelines.
Rayt
Nonplayer Character
I have the 75mm Summilux for portraits but never got on with that focal length for general use due to the lack of proper framelines on M bodies. Live view might change that for me if I ever get in to digital.
happy
Established
I've always subconsciously hated 75mm because the framelines clutter up the finder for my most-used lens (50).
I just had my M6's 75/135mm lines removed 🙂
I just had my M6's 75/135mm lines removed 🙂
ktmrider
Well-known
Beauty must be in the eye of the beholder. I used the 35 C Biogon for years on an M9 and was always dazzled by the results. I honestly never had a problem with color shifts at the edges.
Ken Ford
Refuses to suffer fools
I’m a big fan of the 35/75 and 21/35/75 combinations. I have three 75s for RF - the CV, a Leica 2.5 and the Cron. I need to sell off the first two, but the Cron is an integral part of my style and is staying.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
creenus
Established
FWIW I have the Summarit 75mm f2.5 and really like it. It is sharp and awesome for portraits, although I use it for mild closeups of material objects as well. There are times I dream of the Summicron 75, but in reality I do not truly NEED it. I do admit that the framelines within the 50mm are weird, but I deal with it OK.
I also have the Summarit 35 f2.5 and it's a killer lens as well. Erwin Puts recommended them both and I have found that they are indeed excellent. As I mostly shoot HP5+ with my M gear I find that I do not really need the extra f2.0 aperture of a 'Cron, at least outside.
I also like my ZM 25mm f2.8 as it's crazy sharp.
I do have a Version 3 50mm Summicron for my M2 because, well, they are so cute together. Not very logical, but there you go. =)
I also have the Summarit 35 f2.5 and it's a killer lens as well. Erwin Puts recommended them both and I have found that they are indeed excellent. As I mostly shoot HP5+ with my M gear I find that I do not really need the extra f2.0 aperture of a 'Cron, at least outside.
I also like my ZM 25mm f2.8 as it's crazy sharp.
I do have a Version 3 50mm Summicron for my M2 because, well, they are so cute together. Not very logical, but there you go. =)
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narsuitus
Well-known
For portrait, reportage, and travel images, I have used 70mm to 90mm on my full-frame cameras.
I find 70mm too short for my taste in portraits.
I find 85mm and 90mm great for portrait, reportage, and travel.
For portrait and reportage, my favorite prime lens in the 70 to 90mm focal length range is the 85mm f/1.4 Nikkor that I use on my full-frame Nikon SLRs.
For reportage and travel, I use the 90mm f/2 with a 35mm f/1.4 on my Leica M6 and M10 rangefinders.
For my Leica rangefinders, I would consider the 75mm f/1.25 Noctilux as a replacement for my 90mm f/2 only because I could use the extra light gathering. I would not, however, like the shorter focal length or the higher price. I also would not like it in my travel kit.
My favorite travel kit was a 90mm f/2.8 that I used with a 45mm f/2 and a 28mm f/2.8 on a Contax 35mm rangefinder.
ktmrider
Well-known
Well, it has been awhile since I started this thread and my desire to try a 75 is definitely gone. I just don't see enough difference acquiring a 75 when I already have the 50 and 90. I can always take a couple steps closer or a couple steps back depend on which lens is on the camera.
I am presently debating selling my 21 and picking up a Zeiss 25f2.8. I don't use the 21 much and loved the 24 on my Nikon. And the Zeiss 25f2.8 is supposed to be one of the sharpest lenses made.
I am starting to think that one reason to own a camera with interchangeable lenses is it allows us to occupy our time searching for the correct lens mix to have in the camera bag.
I am presently debating selling my 21 and picking up a Zeiss 25f2.8. I don't use the 21 much and loved the 24 on my Nikon. And the Zeiss 25f2.8 is supposed to be one of the sharpest lenses made.
I am starting to think that one reason to own a camera with interchangeable lenses is it allows us to occupy our time searching for the correct lens mix to have in the camera bag.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
LOL!
Stick a 50 on it and leave everything else home.
If you can't get the photo you want with that, work harder. 😀
G
Leica M-D + Summicron-M 50mm f/2
ISO 400 @ f/5.6 @ 1/90
filmtwit
Desperate but not serious
I like the 75mm focal range for 2 reasons.
I'll work events from time to time and want to photograph over someone's shoulder and 75mm is great for this.
I like it for close up portrait work.
Down side is that many of the 75mm for Leica m will only close focus any closer then 0.9 meters. So your selection can be rather limited or expensive.
I'll work events from time to time and want to photograph over someone's shoulder and 75mm is great for this.
I like it for close up portrait work.
Down side is that many of the 75mm for Leica m will only close focus any closer then 0.9 meters. So your selection can be rather limited or expensive.
Daryl J.
Well-known
What is your photographic environment going to be?
My two favorite focal lengths (50mm and 90mm) are proving to be utterly useless to me. I didn't change, my shooting environment did. Ideally now I use a 35mm and 75mm.
I use a banged up M4-2 rebuilt by Youxin Ye, a 35mm Summicron ASPH and FP4/HP5 for the bulk of my work and trim the kit out with the 2.5/75 Summarit M. In Portland, there are enough times where one cannot take the steps forwards or backwards to make 50mm and 90mm practical in actual use. And visualizing what the 75 will capture in the viewfinder is a sinch. It is super easy. If one needs the frame lines, grab a good M4-P instead.
Outside the city in a more open environment I would argue for a 24mm Elmar, 50 Cron V.4, and 90mm Elmarit if you are using M Mount and want sharp, contrasty, glare and flare-free images. I personally want flaws for the sake of character but that's a different matter unrelated to the O/P.
Some have noted there is an amazing similarity in quality of images produced by the 75 Summarit and a 50 Summilux ASPH on film. Let's just say I am pleasantly surprised and mine is not for sale.
My two favorite focal lengths (50mm and 90mm) are proving to be utterly useless to me. I didn't change, my shooting environment did. Ideally now I use a 35mm and 75mm.
I use a banged up M4-2 rebuilt by Youxin Ye, a 35mm Summicron ASPH and FP4/HP5 for the bulk of my work and trim the kit out with the 2.5/75 Summarit M. In Portland, there are enough times where one cannot take the steps forwards or backwards to make 50mm and 90mm practical in actual use. And visualizing what the 75 will capture in the viewfinder is a sinch. It is super easy. If one needs the frame lines, grab a good M4-P instead.
Outside the city in a more open environment I would argue for a 24mm Elmar, 50 Cron V.4, and 90mm Elmarit if you are using M Mount and want sharp, contrasty, glare and flare-free images. I personally want flaws for the sake of character but that's a different matter unrelated to the O/P.
Some have noted there is an amazing similarity in quality of images produced by the 75 Summarit and a 50 Summilux ASPH on film. Let's just say I am pleasantly surprised and mine is not for sale.
kyte
Established
I have the CV 75/1.8 and usually pair it with CV 35/1.4. The only issue is that the 75 is heavy... but I put up with it because of the speed (saved me many times when you can't get close enough to use the 35.
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