Summilux-M 75mm and the Leica M8

[Nemo]

I am considering the purchase of a Leica M 75mm lens, and I don't
know what to do about it. My options are the Summilux (now
discontinued, but I can get one) or the 75mm Cron. I like sharp
lenses, but I like the extra stop.

Chasseur d'Images published an article (January-February 2007)
testing all M lenses on the M8. They say the Summilux offers superb
sharpness at full aperture, and this sounds strange to me. I have
seen very few Summilux photographs at full aperture really sharp.

On the other hand, I doubt Leica will release a new Summilux
replacing the old one (I think slower and cheaper lenses will be the
path).

Many people had the Summilux and sold it for the Summicron when this
lens was presented. The Summilux was too big and difficult to focus
(this is the idea I get reading in the forums). I suppose the f/1.4
cannot be used at short distances reliably, so the f/1.4 is a limited
added value. Due to this reason, the performance at f/2-f/4 is very
important for me. I know the Summicron is better here but, how much
better? I like the "out of focus" areas that the Summilux provides,
and its aesthetical capabilities must be considered too.

It is very difficult for me to make a decision. The Summilux has many
"objective" shortcomings (size, price, objetive parameters of
performance) and some "subjective" advantages (bokeh). The only
objective advantage is the extra stop, but it is a "difficult" extra
stop.

Can you give me some insights about how the Summilux 75mm perform?

Thanks a lot.

 

[mfunnell]

This thread:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39014

Has some sample 75 Summilux shots at various apertures. Personally I don't find it difficult to focus, and while its large by RF standards its not that big.

...Mike

 

[furcafe]

1st of all, many people have problems focusing the 75/1.4 @ f/1.4, so some of the unsharpness you've been seeing could be attributed to that. I, like mfunnell, have never personally had serious problems focusing the lens, even on low-magnification bodies like the Hexar RF & M6 0.58--it just takes some practice, similar to focusing a Noctilux.

2nd, if Chasseur d'Images only tested the 75/1.4 on the M8, then the sensor's 1.3x crop factor helps improve every lens's performance because it restricts the image circle to the optical "sweet spot" (by excluding the edges)

IMHO, the 75/1.4 behaves like a scaled-up version of the pre-ASPH 50/1.4 Summilux, so you get the 1970s-80s Leica look w/good, but not super razor-sharp, performance wide-open & smooth boke/out-of-focus areas. Flare-resistance is excellent, too, in my experience.

I am considering the purchase of a Leica M 75mm lens, and I don't
know what to do about it. My options are the Summilux (now
discontinued, but I can get one) or the 75mm Cron. I like sharp
lenses, but I like the extra stop.

Chasseur d'Images published an article (January-February 2007)
testing all M lenses on the M8. They say the Summilux offers superb
sharpness at full aperture, and this sounds strange to me. I have
seen very few Summilux photographs at full aperture really sharp.

On the other hand, I doubt Leica will release a new Summilux
replacing the old one (I think slower and cheaper lenses will be the
path).

Many people had the Summilux and sold it for the Summicron when this
lens was presented. The Summilux was too big and difficult to focus
(this is the idea I get reading in the forums). I suppose the f/1.4
cannot be used at short distances reliably, so the f/1.4 is a limited
added value. Due to this reason, the performance at f/2-f/4 is very
important for me. I know the Summicron is better here but, how much
better? I like the "out of focus" areas that the Summilux provides,
and its aesthetical capabilities must be considered too.

It is very difficult for me to make a decision. The Summilux has many
"objective" shortcomings (size, price, objetive parameters of
performance) and some "subjective" advantages (bokeh). The only
objective advantage is the extra stop, but it is a "difficult" extra
stop.

Can you give me some insights about how the Summilux 75mm perform?

Thanks a lot.

 

[jaapv]

For me, the main feature of the Summilux is the beautiful plasticity wide open.
It may not be as "sharp" as the Summicron, I find that lens too clinical and harsh for my taste. Others may differ. At any rate, the Summilux is plenty sharp with enough character to make it a favorite lens. From 5.6 upwards on the M8 it is eye-watering sharp.

Disregard the banding, this shot was before the upgrade, but look at the 3-D rendering wide open.

Plenty sharp:

At night again, still on the M8 with then banding, look at the way the lens draws the shadows...

Cutting your eyes...

 

[Nemo]

Many thanks to all of you.
Jaap, I find your pictures stunning. I like them all, but the first one has an incredible look.
Do you remember the aperture of the others?

 

[jaapv]

The night ones are at 1.4, the others at about f 2.8 or 4.0 as I recall. I might add, it is one of my favorite lenses, along with the Summicron 2.0 asph 35, Elmar-M 2.8-50 and Zeiss Biogon 21.

 

[boilerdoc2]

It is an INCREDIBLE lens. Period!

 

[SnapperJ]

The lens gives exquisite results wide open at f1.4. See my gallery at http://www.pbase.com/jeremystreeter/bamboo showing what this lens can do at f1.4 and close focusing.