Which 75mm?

[BradleyK]

I am considering the purchase of a 75mm for my Leicas (a pair of chrome M6s and a buck ugly black M4-P) and would like some input. I currently own a 28mm Summicron ASPH (6-bit), a 35mm Summicron, a 50mm Summicron, a 50mm Summilux ASPH (6-bit) and a 90mm Summicron ASPH (6-bit). The 90 is, for the most part, my portrait lens. Often, however, I find the length less than ideal. Similar to my Nikons, where I often favor the 85 F1.4 over the 105 F1.8 as my lens of choice for shooting portraits, I also have often found the 90mm a little "too tight" for some of my shots. Hence the interest in acquiring a 75mm. My question is: Which one? Leica has, at various times, offered 75mm Summicrons and Summiluxes; currently they also offer a Summarit. An M9 or M9P may be in the future - if I can ever get over my E100G/Tri-X fixations - so the 6-bit coding is not really a critical issue. Thoughts?

 

[shutterclank]

though i havent used the 75mm, as i understand it the difference between the summicron and summilux is a stop and a whole lot of weight. the summilux opens to f/1.4 where the summicron only to f/2, but the summilux is older and gigantic.

imho, i would go for the older lens, the summilux. although it is a beast, i like the additional stop. shallower depth of field and so on. i dont mind a large chunk of glass, i use tripods.

 

[lensworker]

It depends on your style of photography. Based on all that I have read and IMHO, the three 75mm M lenses can be characterized as follows:

75mm f/2 APO Summicron ASPH - technical excellence, best image quality of the 75mm lenses;
75mm f/1.4 Summilux - artistic excellence, best artistic rendering and best low light performance;
75mm f/2.5 Summarit - excellent image quality at a bargain price, great all-around lens if you do not require low light performance or the maximum aperture excellence of the 75mm f/2 Summicron.

Hope this helps...

 

[Steve Bellayr]

I consider the 75mm to be a portrait lens, best for male subjects. I take portraits at f4 & f5.6. I have used it for some street photography at f8. With that in mind I went for the Summarit. I saved money & weight. Absolutely not complaints.

 

[ced]

2nd the Summarit, great lens! Only complaint is sometimes a strange bokeh but the lens is pin sharp.