Where are all the used 75mm 'crons?

[hlockwood]

I've been casually looking around for a used 75mm cron, pre asph. I've looked at the major photo stores, eBay, Amazon, etc. and can't find a single one, pre or post asph. I understand that even new 75s are hard to get. What's going on here?

Harry

 

[Benjamin Marks]

First of all, I believe that there was no 75 Summicron before the present Asph model. There was only the 75/f1.4 Summilux, which is now, sadly, out of production (prices are up, but you can probably find one used). I'm sure someone will jump in to correct me if I am wrong about this.

The current 75 Summicrons are, well, in the hands of their users. Used=being used (present tense). I got one about six months ago from a dealer in Hong Kong -- he said that production was backed up and that these lenses were trickling out of Leica. There were none either used or new in the US that I could find. Apparently Leica's cost cutting went VERY deep in terms of production staff, and now they can't meet demand quickly. And yes, it's a great lens -- simply great.

I have read very nice things about the performance of the C/V 75/3.5, but I assume that you would have purchased one of those if you didn't really want the Summicron. The current Summicron and the out-of-production Summilux are different beasts in terms of the look they give. The Summilux is an older (although very pleasing) design; the Summicron has more of the flavor of the current 50/1.4 Asph.

 

[peter_n]

There is no pre-ASPH 75mm Summicron. I'm lucky enough to have one and I'm not selling it! Maybe you are thinking about the non-ASPH 75mm Summilux?

 

[JNewell]

Maybe you are thinking about the non-ASPH 75mm Summilux?

...which ain't a whole lot easier to find!

 

[Didier]

The Summicron 75/2 does not exist as "pre-asph". It came out two years ago, as ASPH version, and this is a reason why there are so few used available (same with the 28 Summicron). Additionally to it, this lens is so sharp that most owners probably don't even think about selling it.

The Summilux 75/1.4 hoewever does not exist in aspherical version. There were two different builds with the same optical design (I believe) and different bodies. The first takes E58 filters, and has a separate vented hood, the second version, which was released in the early 90ies, takes E60 filters and has a inbuilt, collapsible non vented hood. Both versions come up regularly on ebay, RFF and pnet classifieds.

I have a v2 for sale on the evil auction site actually, PM if you're interested.

Didier

 

[hlockwood]

I've been casually looking around for a used 75mm cron, pre asph. I've looked at the major photo stores, eBay, Amazon, etc. and can't find a single one, pre or post asph. I understand that even new 75s are hard to get. What's going on here?

Harry

Thanks all, for the info and correction. Maybe I'll hold off to see the new Summitars due out shortly.

Harry

 

[Doug]

...I have read very nice things about the performance of the C/V 75/3.5, but I assume that you would have purchased one of those if you didn't really want the Summicron.

That would be the f2.5 75mm Heliar, just 2/3 stop slower than the Summicron, and does seem to have a favorable following.