M9 and 75 lux

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w1234ale

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Has anyone had experience with the M9 and 75 lux? I have a 90 Elmarit-M but I don't pick it up too much because ultimately it seems a bit long.

Also if anyone has some photos they would be interested in posting with this combo I would love to see them. I have poked around Flickr a bit, but would be interested in some examples from this community.

My understanding is that it has a similar design and image quality as the old noctilux, is this true?
 
There's a guy on fredmiranda.com (look in the long leica thread in the alternative forum) who has one and shoots it a lot.

I have one and really like it, but I use it on film.
 
I've shot it a lot before I sold it for weight reduction and it is on my recommended list. I cannot say that it has much in common with a Noctilux. Yes, it is heavy and bulky, it is fast, has narrow DOF and a very distinctive fingerprint, but the images it produces look totally different.
 
Don't know about M9, but it works very well with M8 and all film Ms. Perhaps a bit of a problem focusing with .58 finders, but otherwise, outstanding. I've had mine since the 2nd version came out and wouldn't trade it. A great lens to pair with a pre-asph Summilux 35.
 
Like most fast large lenses, it takes work to make great pictures. Fancy test shots are usually whats seen from this lens on the internet....prior to them being sold because it takes work 😉
 
I own a 75 Lux V.2, and I shoot only film.

This lens is a challenge to use. Because of its large diameter the focus is slow, also its big, bulky and heavy, but with practice, practice, practice the results I get with this lens is stunning. I shoot mostly wide open or close to wide open, and the shallow DOF is unforgiving. Not for everyone, but I can't live without this lens.

BTW I added a TA Rapidwinder and TA Rapidgrip to my M6. The extra size and added bulk offer better balance and handling. Anytime I had my Lux mounted on a M9 it felt better balanced than on any "naked" film M-body.

As far as being like a Noctilux the signature is different but the lack of coma is the same. Also I like that the light does not fall off in the corners like a Noctilux wide open. I use mine 75 Lux like a fast 50, but because of the added reach I get very nice tight shots.

Cal
 
The one thing that really gripes me about this lens is that it has such a long focus throw. I think I'd like it even more than I do if it was quicker to focus. So far I haven't had too many problems with missing focus. I tend to shoot it at f/1.4-2 when the light is poor, and at higher apertures when the light is good.

It has a great look at f/1.4-2 as we all know, but don't ignore it in the f/2.8-5.6 range. The former has reasonable definition, lower contrast, and a bit of a soft haze over everything. For the most part, the bokeh doesn't get swirly (not like the noctilux in that regard), though it is a bit more defined in some out of focus areas than my 50 ASPH is (in my mind). It's obviously a great portrait lens.

In the f/2.8-5.6 range, it gets quite sharp, yet there is still good background separation. Furthermore, when shooting portraits, especially closer ones, the extra depth of field can help you get more of the face in focus. If that's what you want.

I really do like the 75 mm focal length though. It's a nice switch up from 50 mm. 50 mm is probably a more useful focal length as an all-purpose lens when I don't know what I'll be shooting, but I think if I know I'm going to be shooting people, 75 and a 28 is my new go to combo. I can get any group shots or stuff with more context with the 28, and the 75 (as Calzone said) is a 50 with a bit more reach. Great for head shots or for something across the room.
 
I do use the combo from time to time, & usually w/the 1.4x VF magnifier (same goes w/the Noctilux).

IIRC, the 75 'lux is most similar to the pre-ASPH 50 'lux.

w1234ale said:
Has anyone had experience with the M9 and 75 lux? I have a 90 Elmarit-M but I don't pick it up too much because ultimately it seems a bit long.

Also if anyone has some photos they would be interested in posting with this combo I would love to see them. I have poked around Flickr a bit, but would be interested in some examples from this community.

My understanding is that it has a similar design and image quality as the old noctilux, is this true?
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Tim Gray said:
The one thing that really gripes me about this lens is that it has such a long focus throw. I think I'd like it even more than I do if it was quicker to focus. So far I haven't had too many problems with missing focus. I tend to shoot it at f/1.4-2 when the light is poor, and at higher apertures when the light is good.

It has a great look at f/1.4-2 as we all know, but don't ignore it in the f/2.8-5.6 range. The former has reasonable definition, lower contrast, and a bit of a soft haze over everything. For the most part, the bokeh doesn't get swirly (not like the noctilux in that regard), though it is a bit more defined in some out of focus areas than my 50 ASPH is (in my mind). It's obviously a great portrait lens.

In the f/2.8-5.6 range, it gets quite sharp, yet there is still good background separation. Furthermore, when shooting portraits, especially closer ones, the extra depth of field can help you get more of the face in focus. If that's what you want.

I really do like the 75 mm focal length though. It's a nice switch up from 50 mm. 50 mm is probably a more useful focal length as an all-purpose lens when I don't know what I'll be shooting, but I think if I know I'm going to be shooting people, 75 and a 28 is my new go to combo. I can get any group shots or stuff with more context with the 28, and the 75 (as Calzone said) is a 50 with a bit more reach. Great for head shots or for something across the room.
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Tim,

Thanks for the post. I found what you wrote very helpful: I will expand my range of F-stops. Also I very recently bought a 28 Cron so your remarks about pairing the 75 Lux with the 28 Cron has me rather excited and inspired.

Thanks again.

BTW I also use a Leica 1.40X magnifier. Having a M6 with a 100% view is great with the Lux.

Cal
 
Calzone said:
Thanks for the post. I found what you wrote very helpful: I will expand my range of F-stops. Also I very recently bought a 28 Cron so your remarks about pairing the 75 Lux with the 28 Cron has me rather excited and inspired.
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No problem. I would think if one was a 35mm shooter, a 35/1.4 and 75/1.4 combo would be unstoppable. Unfortunately for me, I really like 28 a lot more than 35 🙂

Somebody post on this forum (I think) some shots with the 75 Summilux, outdoors, at a movie set I think, that were really great I thought. It was in a Southwest setting if I recall correctly, and shot at f/5.6ish. Anyway, I try to keep that in mind when I shoot sometimes.
 
Tim Gray said:
No problem. I would think if one was a 35mm shooter, a 35/1.4 and 75/1.4 combo would be unstoppable. Unfortunately for me, I really like 28 a lot more than 35 🙂
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+1 I guess I always loved the 28mm FOV. It took me a while to make the jump to the 28 Cron. For a 28 I used a old Canon/Serenar that was only F3.5 until it was pointed out to me by a friend that I really used the 28 more than either of my 35's.

For me the dynamic range of DOF beween wide and shallow makes the 28-75 a better combination than 35-75. Also I think because I live in NYC where we have huge crowds it is easier for me to get closer to my subjects with a wide.

I think the OP should carefully think of how a 75 Lux fits into their kit. Also I will add that using a 1.40X magnifier works for me, but some of the negative criticism is valid because of the peephole effect.

I can't express or stress how much practice really helps. I feel that many new 75 Lux owners don't exert themselves enough, give up and end up selling, but if you learn how to work this lens you will not be dissapointed and will be well rewarded. The results are amazing.

My M6 rigged with a TA Rapidwinder and TA RapidGrip makes my 75 Lux comfortable and well balanced, and I feel the added weight acts as ballast to steady the camera, so if you really are into doing available light B&W hand held especially in an urban enviornment my rig is kinda unbeatable as far as rangefinders go, and to me a heavy camera is a steady camera. BTW I also shoot a Nikon F3 with a Noct-Nikkor equipt with a MD- motordrive for the added weight.


Cal
 
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