M7+ 35 + 75 combo. Need your advise

I Use the 35 Summicron ASPH and the 75 Summilux

I Use the 35 Summicron ASPH and the 75 Summilux

Although were 35 / 75 my main "kit", I might have gone with the 35 Summilux ASPH. Don't know about the 75 Cron ASPH vs 'lux - I really like the "lux, and have used it before the 'cron ASPH was introduced. All of you that think that the 75 'lux is toooo big must never have shot with any SLR lenses? No offense, but the 75 'lux is great; maybe not quite as good as the 'cron F2 - F2.8, but it is close - and it DOES have F1.4. I have never found it TOO big, nor TOO heavy; and it DOES yield really fine results I use the 90 ASPH lens for my slightly longer sharp as **** wide open lens. This gives me 2 excellent portrait lenses with different characteristics. Alex, you cannot really go wrong with any combination. I find myself carrying 21 ASPH, 28 ASPH, 50 'cron, and 90 ASPH most of the time these days; AND wanting F1.4 in the new 50 ASPH. Eventually, I will probably add the 50 1.4 ASPH and the 75 'cron ASPH - the characteristics are different enough to warrant their purchase, but then again, I want all of the Leica lenses! My recommendation is to borrow / lease each lens before purchase. It is the ONLY way to learn the characteristics of each lens.
 
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Bill, even if you pay full retail for both summilux lenses, the difference between them and the 2 summicrons is 2000 dollars. The Zeiss 15mm costs 3795...almost double the difference. And that is excluding the fact that the 75mm Summilux is cheaper used than the 75 summicron because it is an older lens and there are many people who sell it because it is too big. You can find it easily in great condition for anywhere from 1300-1800 dollars. The 75mm summicrons sell for 2000 or so used.
 
I Use the 35 Summicron and the 75 'lux

I Use the 35 Summicron and the 75 'lux

But you cannot go wrong with either 'cron or 'lux lens; it just depends upon your needs and/or budget. I use the 35 ' cron ASPH because I defer to the 50 'cron or 28 'cron ASPH more than the 35 focal length. I typically carry 21 ASPH, 28 ASPH, 50 'cron, and 90 'cron ASPH most of all these days, although I do utilize both the 35 and 75 focal lengths. I will eventually purchase the 50 Summilux ASPH as well as the 75 'cron ASPH lenses - the characteristics are different enough to warrant their purchase! The shooters that wring their hands over the weight/size of the 75 'lux are pussies; perhaps they have never used SLR lenses before? The 75 'lux is one magnificent lens - perhaps not as good as the 'cron ASPH from F2 - F2.8 - but it DOES have F1.4! Lease / borrow these lenses first - all of them are very good lenses! Your needs are your needs. Good luck!
 
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I love the 35 Summilux ASPH and the 75 Apo Summicron ASPH.

I had a 35mm Summicron but sold it after getting the Summilux, which I thought was sharper and believe is more useful in low light. Here are some 35mm/1.4 examples:
Heron's First Birthday
Phoebe Tasting the Cake
Snowbanks, Cambridge, MA
Snow in Harvard Yard
Alley at Night, South End, Boston, MA
Stonewall, Darrah's Farm, Twightlight
A very versatile lens.

The 75mm Summicron focuses closer than it's big brother Summilux (a lens I've not used and about which I have no opinion).
Close up Examples:
Water Lilies, The Tarn, Acadia NP
Milk Drink, Chinatown, Boston, MA

I rarely leave home without it, but I prefer to carry the 75mm with a 28mm Summicron or 25mm Biogon and the 21mm Biogon. I take the 35mm along if I know I'll need it's field of view or its f/1.4
 
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Thanks, I thought it turned out rather well for a handheld shot. It would not have been as good at f/2, because the towed car and falling snow would have blurred more from motion.
 
I believe you need to ask yourself how will you be using the equipment? Do you shoot laregely color or B/W? Do you shoot most outdoors or indoors? Do anticipate much in the way of travel? Answers to these and similar questions will point you in the correct direction.

What others say may be interesting, but their opinions are partially formed by their individual needs and expectations, which may or may not be applicable to you.

After having the summicron for many years, I opted for the Summilux because I shoot many low light situations. The extra stop I find invaluable. But if you don't need the extra speed, why get the Summilux?

As far as the 75mm focal length, I suspect that if you going to travel the Summilux is too heavy. I disagree with those folks who suggest that you may need something between the 35 and 75. The 35/75, or even the 35/90, is a relatively small system that capture just about anything. As a parenthetical note, despite have two Ms and 4 of Leica's current lenses in 4 focal lengths, I find myself more and more just taking one camera and one lens, even when I travel. I haven't missed many shots.

I do find Leica's current generation geared more toward color. The B/W can look very clinical, almost too sharp, and takes some getting used to.
 
I picked mine up for

I picked mine up for

StuartR said:
Bill, even if you pay full retail for both summilux lenses, the difference between them and the 2 summicrons is 2000 dollars. The Zeiss 15mm costs 3795...almost double the difference. And that is excluding the fact that the 75mm Summilux is cheaper used than the 75 summicron because it is an older lens and there are many people who sell it because it is too big. You can find it easily in great condition for anywhere from 1300-1800 dollars. The 75mm summicrons sell for 2000 or so used.
Click to expand...

$980 in very nice shape...(candian, 2nd version w/ built in hood which I love, no front cap). I find it a little tough to focus in low light. Net really sure why at this point. I'm thinking the VF upgrade in my .85 TTL may help. Any opinions on that?
 
The 75mm summilux is hard to focus in low light solely because it has extremely little depth of field wide open. A .85 will help a bit, but there is no real cure. Your only option is to either put a bit more distance between you and your subject, or make sure they are still and you have locked proper focus before you shoot.
 
StuartR said:
The 75mm summilux is hard to focus in low light solely because it has extremely little depth of field wide open. A .85 will help a bit, but there is no real cure. Your only option is to either put a bit more distance between you and your subject, or make sure they are still and you have locked proper focus before you shoot.
Click to expand...

Or if using an M body add the 1.25 magnifier, helps me when using the 90 ASPH wide and close. It sits in a little pouch on the strap when not used. Works for me anyway.
 
Go with the LUX

Go with the LUX

I just retured a 35 SUmicron ASPH after using a 35Lux - The summilux is so nice and has a unique look that the summicron did not have. Its expensive, but a lifetime lens IMO. The 50 Lux ASP is amazing as well. Never tried the 75 but may pick one up. Im deciding between that and the 90.

Here are a couple from the 35 summilux ASPH
 

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Ooops.

Ooops.

posted the wrong version of pic 3, here is the larger one. The 35 Lux ASPH is amazing, and the summicron while great is more "clinical"
 

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35-75 thoughts

35-75 thoughts

I own both the 75 Summicron, and the 35 Summilux ASPH. Using them both with a lens carrier makes a good street kit. I have owned the 35 Summicron, and the size aspect is nicer than the latest 35 ASPH. The Summilux 75 is a lot heavier than the Summicron, and cuts into the finder view. Cutting in may be a mixed blessing, since the 75 frame cutouts are difficult to work with. I forget the 75 is on the camera and sometimes use the 50 lines. So the cutting in might help me remember .... (never owned a 75 'lux) Regarding quality; "it's all good", as they say. Going slowly would probably be all the advice I could give to someone deciding what to get, to set up a kit. One last aspect to consider; What body type to use with the kit the .85 finder would be tight with the 35,but good with both lenses. The .72, would be more relaxed with the 35 finder,but more difficult with the 75 because the tiny cutouts would more difficult to see.
I do not think getting a 50 is necessary. The 35 is kind of a wide 50, and the 75 is kind of a tele 50.
I have always doubled focal lengths for a kit.
Limitation may equal happiness.
 
There's a funky M rear lens cap that screws into the tripod hole. You'd have your second lens there, under the camera for semi-fast switch out. I'm only guessing that's what he's refering to, however. I'd rather keep lens #2 in my pocket, but styles vary.

William
 
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