seb v. Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 I am thinking about getting a longer focal length lens to complement my 35 cron and 50 lux. The most obvious to me would be the 90 apo but I have heard such great things about the 75 lux that I am very tempted to get this instead. Is the 75 too close to the 50? I guess I will be using it as a telephoto lens rather than a portrait one. What do you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leslie_cheung Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 Only you can answer this question. Some think a 50mm is too close to a 35mm but they are vastly different to me. Anyway, if you need the 1.4 then that might be a factor. Some also say the oof area is sweeter with the lux. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seb v. Posted December 9, 2004 Author Share Posted December 9, 2004 Thanks Leslie. Here's the same question from a different angle: for those of you with both, which one would you keep if you had to sell one of them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsbc Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 I think 35mm and 75mm makes a great pairing, and would go well with a 24mm. Check with photos, or even use your M's preview finder, a 75mm is not that different from 90mm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_kastner Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 (a) As said above, 35 and 75 are often recommended, especially if you only want a duo and you absolutely need f/1.4. <br>(b) And, IMO too, 75 and 90 are just as "non-close" as 35 and 50. That's why I have a 35 <i>and</i> a 50 (and a 40 too). <br>© The simple (maybe only) reason I do not like the 75 is that it is just too big and heavy. As Jay once said, you need a pipe wrench to focus the damn thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen_w. Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 I had the 75 'lux. The image quality was/is among the best Leica has to offer. In the end, I sold it because it was too big and heavy and I didn't use it much, compared to the 50 'lux. As for being too difficult to move the focus ring, I put a zip-tie on it, so the focusing wasn't too hard; it has a long travel for a reason, for accuracy. I found, being a roadie, that it took the same room as two other lenses took (50 'lux and 75 CV), so it had to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
working camera Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 The 75 M summilux is a gorgeous lens, however given the choice I'd rather use the R 80 lux. They are similar lenses after all. I'm speaking generally here as you have not specified the camera. If you have access to an M3 or .85 finder then the 90 is it, no question. With the .72 finders the 90 frame lines are IMO a wee bit small, which takes away from the pleasure of shooting with a 90 FL somewhat. C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen_w. Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 In addition, the 'gap' between the 50 and 35 is greater than the gap between the 50 and 75. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seb v. Posted December 9, 2004 Author Share Posted December 9, 2004 Thanks for the informed answers. I had no idea the 75 was such a beast to handle, having never used one. I was thinking of snagging the 75 in JTs big garage sale. Maybe I don't even need a longer focal length and just have a dose of The Fondlers. Thanks anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lutz Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 <a href=http://www.leicagoodies.com/steer.html">Pipe wrench?</a> Don't be mislead, Seb. The 35, 50 and 70 are three very distinct focal lengths, the 75 lux being one of the finest lenses of the whole M range.<p><center><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/1283204-lg.jpg"></center> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lutz Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 hmm, another try at the <a href="http://www.leicagoodies.com/steer.html">pipe wrench alternative</a>... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabophoto Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 Personally I love the 75. Focusing isn?t all that quick, but Lutz?s STEER helps a lot. Carsten http://www.cabophoto.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malcolm_rains Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 Is it rumoured that Leica will be introducing a new M 75mm in the spring? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david11 Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 I have both the 75 Summilux and the 90 SAA lenses. I like them both, and would not want to eliminate either. Different tools for the job at hand. One has to be pretty wimpy to consider the 75 Summilux a "beast", nor do I find it difficult to focus. (But I have hauled very large lenses of different formats all over the world) My suggestion is to borrow or lease these lenses first for a test drive, and you make the determination which fit your needs best. All of the "experts" on photo.net can only relate their preferences, which might not be best for you at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason_b. Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 Some 75s do have focus rings that are really hard to turn. This is not part of the design, rather too heavy a grease that has gotten stiff by not being used. My 75's focus ring was just fine, as the lens was fairly new, and it got easier to turn the more I used it. If you get one and love the focal length, have DAG re-do the grease in the heilicoid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee_shively Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 If you're basing your decision on the need for a telephoto lens as opposed to a portrait lens, the longer option makes better sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aric_rothman Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 If the appeal of the 75mm is primarily the focal length, and not the speed of the 75/1.4 'lux, seriously consider the CV 75/2.5. It is sharp sharp sharp, yet has pleasing bokeh...which of course does not exist ;). It is a sleeper in the CV line, IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob F. Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 What Lee said. You want a tele, so go for the millimeters. I don't doubt that the 75 is one of Leica's finest, but this is also said of the 90AA (and the 35 ASPH, and the 24mm Summicron, and the 50 Summicron, and the new 5o Lux . . .). Hell, they are all Leica's finest lens! Just get the finest 90, that's all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_kastner Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 Okay, lemmee get back to brass tacks: the 1.4/75 I used was for a week at a Leica Seminar and "Leica Day" in Wetzlar/Solms. I must admit, the optical coverage or whatever you prefer to express was truly great. Especially for architectural close-ups like columns and statues in a church or cemetery. Now if Leica would only cough out a 2 or even 2.8/75! (We've been talking about this for years here.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikal_grass Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 I was hoping Al Kaplan would have chimed in first, but since he didn't, I will be the one to suggest one of the cheaper alternatives since you are unsure of the focal length you prefer. Try the Nikkor p.c. 85/2.0. You will need an adapter to mount the lens. You can buy one on ebay or through one of the guys on photo.net for a reasonable price, about $275.00 - $325.00, not including the adapter. The only drawback is that the lens is fairly heavy, but it is not as heavy as the 75/1.4. I usually shoot the lens wide open or at 2.8. If I can dig up a recent photo I will post it. My lens came without a lens shade. According to Al Kaplan, the lenses are almost flare resistant. If you want a shade, you can probably get a series 7 adapter and shade online somewhere. Take a gamble. If you don't like the lens you can always resell it for close to if not more than what you paid for it. Try this website for more information on the lens. http://www.dantestella.com/technical/nikoleic.html#852 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikal_grass Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 Found this photo. Shot wide open with Tri-x 400 at 400. It was scanned on a flatbed and then cropped slightly. My apologies to Grant and the other purists if there is dust on the photo.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lutz Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 <i>You want a tele, so go for the millimeters.</i><p> You want a tele, so go for an SLR. For my tastes, anything beyond 75mm is not what a RF is suitable for. Far too approximate as far as lack of DOF control and parallax error are concerned. Just my 0.02... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_mcclean Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 I have both the 90 AA and the 75 lux. If I could just keep one it would be the 75. I love this lens - it renders portraits like no other. I use the 90 for a more compressed perspective look -its as sharp as a razor, but I prefer the 'look' of the 75 -it gives a rounder look, and used at f1.4 or 2.0 it gives truly beautiful bokeh . I use a Lutz Steer for focusing - makes a big difference, the 75 lux is an awesome lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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