75/2.5 Sl
75/2.5 Sl
As the new resident contrarian here I thought I'd add my experience with the SL version I used as a normal lens on an Icarex 35S TM.
Handling was marvelous, as it's scarcely any larger than most 50s. I found the only limitation to sharp images with this lens was in my ability to focus at wider apertures. Like most of you, I test my lenses--I always use Velvia, on the same subject at the same time of day.
The 75 tested out very much like the Zuiko 100/2; wide open there is the slightest loss of contrast and fine detail compared to smaller apertures. But from one stop down through f/11, examined at 22x, the only change I noted was depth of field.
Simply put, it's one of the best, and I don't agree with anyone who says 75 is too short for portaits. As I went back through my "test archives", I compared the 75 to four Nikkor 105s, and it dusted all of 'em. Aside from speed, it's in the same class as the Zuiko, the Planar 85/1.4, and just a hair behind the Leica 75/1.4 & 80/1.4.
Flare level is equivalent to all except the 105 (there's just something about Nikon's coating).
IMO bokeh is smoother than the Zeiss, as clean as the Zuiko, but not as pretty as the two Leicas.
For what it's worth...
yossarian