Leica 75mm Summilux vs. 75mm Summicron

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whitecat

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Besides the beautiful bokeh on the first, has anyone had both to compare. Notice I did not include the f/2.5 Summarit.
 
There's this old thread with some discussion on the two lenses and some sample photos from both:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26957

I used to own the Summicron 75, it''s very similar in signature to the Summilux 50 Asph, bearing in mind differences due to focal length of course. The Summicron is perhaps a bit more flary (comapred to the Lux 50 Asph, that is) because of the bigger glass, a bit smoother in bokeh too because of the longer focal lenght. A very nice compact lens overall, the sharpest I 've ever come across I may add. I 've read many times here and elsewhere that the Summilux 75 is similar in a same way to the Summilux 50 preasph. but I have no experience to speak of.

Check also the flickr M-mount group for some photos from both.
 
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Had both back-to-back. I prefer the Cron for its size. If fixing a very large lens on an M works for you, the Lux can be the stuff of dreams. But only if you use it ...
 
I think it's pointless to own a 75mm f2.0 between the 50mm and 90mm lenses. The 75mm FL needs a special flavor and this is what the f1.4 aperture brings.
 
The Summarit 2,5/75mm is a great lens. Very compact and easy in use.
For me the best alternative in the 75mm range.

Best regards,

Robert

(Just back from Colorado, USA with the M7 and the Summarit shooting on Elk and Moose) :)
 
ampguy said:
The distance on an RD1 that the lux gives is interesting for general portraits and random street snaps. I recommend opening up to f2 or f2.8 with the RD1 unless you're really good at focusing.

On the M film bodies, it's a great medium to short tele, extremely sharp and fast.

Haven't used the 75 'cron or new Summarit 75.

http://matsumura.smugmug.com/gallery/4315798_snEnc#253044183
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It's the firs time that I read someone saying the 75'lux is extremely sharp wide open.
 
The only complain I've ever heard about the 75 Summilux is that its physically big. But if you don't mind using a larger than average Leica lens its one of those lenses that draws and does something special - a truly unique lens optically and the reason to have one.
 
NB23 said:
I think it's pointless to own a 75mm f2.0 between the 50mm and 90mm lenses. The 75mm FL needs a special flavor and this is what the f1.4 aperture brings.
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I don't know - I think we need someone here to step in and defend the 'cron. I've heard people sing its praises and show the photos to back that up. Its said to be hellishly sharp, for one thing.

But I'm a Summilux man myself - I love the field of view, and my 75 'lux is my favourite and probably best lens. Sure, its probably heavier and less comfortable than a crop-factor dSLR and fast 50 (which is where I decided I liked the field of view), but an RF with 75 can focus more accurately wide open and has other advantages over an SLR as well.

Its the results that count, though, and the 75 'lux has a "look" all of its own, and not just wide open.

Here are a few (clickable, and more-or-less random) examples:





...Mike
 
I had the 'Lux along with the Moctilux. I sold them both years ago (Ugh....) because I had such a hard time focusing wide open. I had many unfocused frames. Evidently the DOF is so short you have to be EXACTLY on.
 
whitecat said:
I had the 'Lux along with the Moctilux. I sold them both years ago (Ugh....) because I had such a hard time focusing wide open. I had many unfocused frames. Evidently the DOF is so short you have to be EXACTLY on.
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Exactly. Shooting the Cron wide open at closest distance (.7m compared to 1m for the Summilux) isn't exactly easy either. The Leica magnifier definitely comes handy.
 
Alkis, the Summilux focuses down to 0.7 also. Unfortunately the M3 that mine's glued to only goes to 1.0m. I haven't used the 75mm Summicron, but the 75mm Summilux is dynamite.
 
MikeL said:
Alkis, the Summilux focuses down to 0.7 also. Unfortunately the M3 that mine's glued to only goes to 1.0m. I haven't used the 75mm Summicron, but the 75mm Summilux is dynamite.
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Oh, sorry. I need to check my facts. For some reason I was sure it was focusing down to only 1m :confused:
 
MikeL said:
Alkis, the Summilux focuses down to 0.7 also. Unfortunately the M3 that mine's glued to only goes to 1.0m. I haven't used the 75mm Summicron, but the 75mm Summilux is dynamite.
Click to expand...

Edit: Alkis, I just looked at a photo online and the barrel on the first version has 0.9 m painted on it, but I'm not sure if it goes closer. Cheers, Mike
 
FWIW, if you don't already know, most M3's can be easily adjusted so that they focus down to 0.8m or so.

MikeL said:
Alkis, the Summilux focuses down to 0.7 also. Unfortunately the M3 that mine's glued to only goes to 1.0m. I haven't used the 75mm Summicron, but the 75mm Summilux is dynamite.
Click to expand...
 
The 75/2 isn't a pointless lens. But you wouldn't take it out with a 50 or a 90 either. You would with a 35 though. Excellent combination!
 
furcafe said:
FWIW, if you don't already know, most M3's can be easily adjusted so that they focus down to 0.8m or so.
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Hi furcafe,
I heard that if the adjustment is made on the M3 for 0.7m, other distances can be off. My Summilux works great wide open on my M3 (from 1m and farther), so I'm worried about changing anything. I don't want to sidetrack the thread, but does anyone have more info. on this?
 
As I wrote, the adjustment enables a close-focus of around 0.8m, not 0.7m like more modern Ms. If done correctly, it should have no effect on the other distances; it's a simple matter of gently bending the piece of metal that prevents the RF roller from extending into the closer-than-1m range. It's not difficult to DIY, but 1 could easily bend it too far (which I why I elected to have Sherry Krauter do it during a CLA).

MikeL said:
Hi furcafe,
I heard that if the adjustment is made on the M3 for 0.7m, other distances can be off. My Summilux works great wide open on my M3 (from 1m and farther), so I'm worried about changing anything. I don't want to sidetrack the thread, but does anyone have more info. on this?
Click to expand...
 
NB23 said:
I think it's pointless to own a 75mm f2.0 between the 50mm and 90mm lenses. The 75mm FL needs a special flavor and this is what the f1.4 aperture brings.
Click to expand...

On an R-D1, I can't focus a 90mm f2.8 lens with any degree of dependability. I can focus the 75mm f2.5 Summarit, though.

/T
 
pfoto said:
The 75/2 isn't a pointless lens. But you wouldn't take it out with a 50 or a 90 either. You would with a 35 though. Excellent combination!
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Indeed!
But this isn't a classic combination, maybe mostly due to the fact that Leica never really cared to add good 75mm framelines. None in the M3, laughable in the M4-P and shady in the M7.

Nonetheless, I still like my 75 Summilux.
 
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