Summilux 75mm 1.4 with Leica M9

[raid]

I used my Lux 75 1.4 with the "old" M9 the past few days. I was curious how images will differ (other than the focal length) from images taken with the recently bought CV 50mm 1.

link: https://raid.smugmug.com/Leica-M9-Lux-75mm-2022/

 

[raid]

Both lenses are fun to use. The CV has a more modern look (to its images) than the Lux. The Lux can bring out a "glow" when used wide open. It is not as pronounced with the CV used wide open. Both lenses are meant to be used wide open, I think. They work the best in an open shade setting by window light or similar. Both lenses cost me each around $1800, but the Lux has increased in value of the years. I do not know if CV lenses have ever increased in value or not.

 

[raid]

Some images taken with the CV 50 1: (on the M10)

 

[raid]

The CV is much easier to focus wide open than the Lux when used wide open. Our cat moved a lot, and I got many unsharp images. This is OK.

 

[Rob-F]

The CV is f/1? Or f/1.1, or 1.2? I haven't paid attention to it. The 75/1.4 has paper-thin DOF. the .68 magnification of the M9 would not be good enough for accurate focusing. It really needs to be used, on the M9 or M10, with the finder magnifier accessory, when shooting wide open. If the CV is a bit slower than f/1, then wide-open focusing should be a bit easier; but I'd still use my magnifier if I had one of these lenses. I do use it with my 90mm Summicron AA.

 

[raid]

It is CV 50mm 1.0. The Lux is difficult to focus wide open but I keep trying. I am considering getting the visoflex Typ 020.

 

[helen.HH]

Great Raid.

YUM to the 75 lux
though big and heavy, sometimes a tad challenging in low light
BUT it is one of Leica's best in rendering, tres atmospheric
so Beautiful !

I would have the 75 lux over the 50 nokton 1.0 anyday !!

 

[Rayt]

I had the 75 Lux but couldn’t focus it @1.4 so ended up selling it. It’s a really nice lens sort of a perfected longer 50/1 Noctilux. So glad there are Voigtlander alternatives.

 

[raid]

Great Raid.

YUM to the 75 lux
though big and heavy, sometimes a tad challenging in low light
BUT it is one of Leica's best in rendering, tres atmospheric
so Beautiful !

I would have the 75 lux over the 50 nokton 1.0 anyday !!

Thank you for your feedback, Helen. Yes, the Lux is really an awesome lens and it is very special. I am using both lenses in one camera bag, so I don't face this difficult choice 🙂

 

[raid]

I had the 75 Lux but couldn’t focus it @1.4 so ended up selling it. It’s a really nice lens sort of a perfected longer 50/1 Noctilux. So glad there are Voigtlander alternatives.

Hi Ray. Thank you for the feedback. My eyesight stayed OK over the years, so I am so far doing fine with focusing the Lux wide open. In Florida sunshine, I use this lens often at apertures 8 or 11.

 

[raid]

I am trying to "see" differences between these two lenses, and my own observations of similar image set-ups for both lenses let me conclude that the CV 50/1 is "technically superior" but the Lux 75/1.4 is "visually superior". What I mean to say is that the end results with the Lux seem to be more satisfying to me as a personal choice even though the CV can be focused better wide open than the Lux. There is a reason why I placed the Lux on the old M9 while the modern CV was placed on the M10.

 

[raid]

I am enjoying using our cat Jenny as my "model" for such lens comparisons. No focus assist was used and I did not wear glasses. ISO was set at relatively low settings, so with the Lux at 1.4 I often used ISO 640, while with the CV I managed to use it wide open at ISO 200. If the light level was low inside our home, I would use ISO =~1000.

 

[raid]

Here are some new snapshots with the Lux.

https://raid.smugmug.com/Leica-M9-Lux-75mm-2022/

 

[raid]

I know that had I used a VF like the Typ 020, I would get in many images more sharpness. However, not using (or having) keeps me each day on my toes to use my eyes to focus. It is similar to playing chess or similar games to stay mentally fit.

I could be wrong here, but it is just a hobby and I am enjoying these daily "focusing games".

 

[Rob-F]

This is making me miss the 75 Lux I sold to get the 75 Summicron!

 

[raid]

Thanks, Rob. Life is too short to miss having fun.

The 75mm Summicron must be technically a superior lens.
Imagine a person in place of our Jenny, and then take photos at apertures 1.4, 2.8 4. I often use these three settings. At 1.4 you barely get the yes in focus and maybe part of the nose 🙂

 

[raid]

I then used the M10 and CV 50/1 with Jenny as my model.
To be fair to the lenses, there are most likely differences between the M9 and M10, and such effects are confounded with the differences between the Lux 75/1.4 and the CV 50/1.0.

The images with the CV are nice too. The OOF can be washed out at aperture 1.0.

 

[brusby]

The 75mm Summilux is a beautiful lens. Here are a couple taken with 75mm Summilux (formerly belonging to Rob F) and an M9. Last image was the same lens on a Sony mirrorless.

learning to fly by Brusby, on Flickr

Storm Overhead by Brusby, on Flickr

Taken while having coffee in Tulane University student union.
_DSC0111-530 by Brusby, on Flickr

 

[raid]

Thank you for these beautiful images.
Rob posted today that he regrets selling his Lux!

 

[brusby]

Thanks for the interesting thread. 'Always curious about fast lenses, particularly for portrait use. 'Love to see more from the new 50mm f1.