the 75mm conundrum...

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ali_baba

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so i shoot alot of music, so i was thinking of the summilux 75 1.4.
i've been encouraged to go for the 75,2 APO instead.

anyone care to comment on the differences of these lenses, possibly some sample photos?

from what i understand the 75,2 APO is a superior optical formula, which is why it is still in production and the 1.4 is not.

insight please!

i've been offered to use a 75,1.4 from whom i may buy it from so i guess ill figure it out if i like that soon enough.
 
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APO ASPH is like 50mm Summilux ASPH. 75 Lux has very nice bokeh and very suitable for portraits (and good for other types of shots). I will definitely buy the Lux 75 as it is becoming harder to acquire one. It can always be sold quite easily. The 75 AA is current, and you can always find one quite easily, new or used.
 
I would not call either lens a superior formula, they are different beasts altogether. The drawing of the Summilux wide open is incomparable. It is an older gen.lens, with a slightly softer rendering wide open. The reason it was discontinued was that the glass used was no longer available at acceptable prices and that the costs of production were no longer in balance with the small number sold. I would say the slightly lower contrast compared to the 75 apo would make it more suitable for stage work. It is a difficult lens to focus,though.
 
My 75 Summilux may be big, heavy, ugly, slow or hard to focus or anything else its been accused of. But I'll never part with it if I have any say in the matter.

Look here for some recent colour examples or my "top 10(12)" link for some others.

...Mike
 
ali_baba said:
from what i understand the 75,2 APO is a superior optical formula, which is why it is still in production and the 1.4 is not.

insight please!

i've been offered to use a 75,1.4 from whom i may buy it from so i guess ill figure it out if i like that soon enough.
Click to expand...

The 75/1.4 and the Noctilux shared glass types that are no longer available so both are discontinued. The 75mm Summilux has a very unique look kind of like a long Noctilux but without the bad vignetting and swirling background some people don't like.
 
I've got the 1st version of the 75mm Summilux (with the Noctilux hood) on loan and if the owner would part with it I'd buy it in a heart beat. It is brilliant, up close and wide open it is a great portrait lens; the 75mm Summicron does get a great rap though but you loose a stop.
 
i've been fortunate to have owned both at different times, still have the 75/2. if i were shooting bands i would take the 75/1.4. as jaap says, it will probably help you with the contrast extremes of stage lighting. you will also like the extra stop. both lenses are wonderful instruments, that's clear. choosing between them is a nice problem to have.
 
The Lux gets sharp at 2.5 and it outstanding. Wide open a bit soft , but makes a beautiful image. I had mine on the camera one time and I thought it was my 90 pre-ASPH. I could not believe the negs when I saw them. In fact I thought the camera was broken as the M3 kept bringing up the 50mm lines.

The APO is sharp at 2.0, if sharp is what you are after at wide apertures,this is the lens. It is sharp without being harsh like the early APO glass. Hard to explain.

I never miss focus with mine. Get the CV 75 BL finder. You will not regret it. It is just like the Leica 50 BL with slightly different construction.
 
does anyone have both?
mind taking some photos @ f2, 2.5 etc?
or know of any comparison sights?
personally im drawn to faster lenses.
thanks
 
Mmm...Summilux

p301671644-3.jpg


Gets sharp too..
L1060642.jpg


Love this lens...
L1060379.jpg
 
Well I do not think there are too many people who own both lenses you mention. I love the f1.4 stop but you pay for this in terms of weight. The M8 75 lux feels a bit more like an SLR in dimensions. By f2.8 is very sharp and as sharp as it gets by f 5.6. My only worry with this lens is that if anything happens to the glass it is probably irreplaceable.

Attached three shots at f1.4

[/ATTACH][/ATTACH]

Best wishes


Richard
 

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Richard Marks said:
Well I do not think there are too many people who own both lenses you mention. I love the f1.4 stop but you pay for this in terms of weight. The M8 75 lux feels a bit more like an SLR in dimensions. By f2.8 is very sharp and as sharp as it gets by f 5.6. My only worry with this lens is that if anything happens to the glass it is probably irreplaceable.

Attached three shots at f1.4

[/ATTACH][/ATTACH]




Best wishes


Richard
Click to expand...
I doubt that. Leica usually keeps plenty of spares.
 
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