menos
Veteran
Menos - I think you'll like the 75 Summilux.
I just got one about 8 months ago. Considerably cheaper than the prices you mention, but it was missing its hood. It's from the first run of German lenses. Leica put a new hood on it for $175, so I'm happy.
Tim, yes, I have that feel too.
The images, the old Noctilux can produce (not the slim depth of focus ones of hydrants and alike, but the "angel dust look", it does) are by far my most liked ones.
I am not so hot about the focal length of 75mm or the crooked frame lines, but I feel, it will pair nicely with a 35mm, using a M9 and a M8.2 at once.
It might also fix my changed vision, since getting the M9, as my beloved Noctilux is often a bit too wide for my taste.
I will see … I am happy, I could still find a nice deal with these crazy prices nowadays. Something tells me, these times will be over very quickly with the interesting, high priced items moving out of reach for many people (many items already are, being priced @ 200 − 400% of what they sold for just 2 years ago 😱).
I followed your article about the 75mm musings and enjoyed it - trying to bridge the next 8 weeks until I finally pick up my copy from a friend, who will keep it for me until I cross borders ;-)
I maybe should finally pick up that nice M3, I am still missing and have it shipped to him, so he can actually use the lens.