[Leica] The Buzz on the 75mm Summilux

[buzz.hausner at verizon.net (Buzz Hausner)]

Well, Luis, many people do find 75mm to be an awkward focal length with
35mm film.  My guess is that we who like the focal length are a small
minority.  I own and use 50mm and 90mm lenses, however, I find that when
I am walking around with no subject in mind, the 75mm frames just what I
want to see.   Perhaps the best way to judge this matter without making
a substantial investment is to mount a fifty on an M6 and keep the
camera at your eye and compare the views of the fifty and seventy-five
as the frame lines appear together.  If the smaller crop of the
seventy-five is more suited to your vision, it may be a good length for
you.  Unfortunately, this is a highly individualistic and subjective
matter which each photographer has to judge for her- or himself.  At the
end of the day, I must stress that I think it is far more important that
one be comfortable with the 75mm focal length than that one specifically
wants an f/1.4 before considering the Summilux.

Regarding the 75mm Summilux specifically; first the bad news.  It is a
very big and heavy lens and it is very expensive.  However, it is
perhaps the most distinctive lens Leica makes, with edge carving
sharpness and a bokeh which may be described as truly lovely.  These
characteristics are present at all f stops from 1.4 through 16.  It
isn't just a low light lens, though its performance in subdued light is
outstanding.  In particular, when people see the environmental portraits
I have taken with the 75mm Summilux, they are almost always pleasantly
astonished.  The lens also focuses down to under two-and-a-half feet
which makes it extremely versatile.

I hope this information helps you understand the 75mm Summilux better, I
would be happy to answer specific questions based on my experience.  In
sum I would have to see that this is a breathtaking lens suited to a
small number of people who are comfortable with the focal length and
potentially sliver-thin depth of field wide open.  It seems today that
one needs to get a mortgage from the bank to buy one, too, and I must
acknowledge that the CV 75mm, while not able to open to f/1.4, is an
excellent lens from what I have seen and a fine alternative for those
who treasure the length but haven't the treasure to purchase the
Summilux.

        Buzz Hausner

-----Original Message-----
From: lug-bounces+buzz.hausner=verizon.net@leica-users.org
[mailto:lug-bounces+buzz.hausner=verizon.net@leica-users.org] On Behalf
Of Luis Ripoll
Sent: Saturday, October 09, 2004 8:03 PM
To: Leica Users Group
Subject: [Leica] More about the 75mm

To Buzz Hausner and everyone

I've found very interesting your opinion about the 75mm focal, that
maybe is
not the same as the 75 Summilux, because this one has his own great
personality, and now I realise that it seems a very lovely and desirable
lens.

I would like to know your opinion and from others too about the 75mm,
this
lens is neither a 50 or 90, but I think it can replaces both, I love the
50,
and today taking pictures I was asking about the small difference with
the
50 and 75 mm, and it could be a extraordinary instrument to take a
reduced
equipment as 21-35-75, or the Tri - Elmar replacing the 35. Like this
you
have at least one high performance lens on your outfit.

This could be important to choose the 75 instead off the 1,4/50, I've
read
not excellent comments for this one; probably another superb would be
the
1,4/35.

I would like read your opinions as said for the 75, a good replacement
for
the 50 & 90?

Luis