I'm considering trading my 90mm 2.8 Tele-Elmarit in on a 75mm Summilux 1.4. I want to maintain a two lens kit, keep things as minimal as possible. My other lens is a 35mm Summilux 1.4. Yes, I know the 75 is heavier than any other lens, but is it that restrictive considering only a two lens set-up? How much of the viewfinder does the 75 intrude upon? All responses will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

-- Ted King (zenspector@aol.com), February 09, 2002

Answers

the 75/35 'lux combo is THE wise leica man's combo, milking the best out of the M's abilities.

One you won a f1.4 Leica lens, I cannot understand how you can ever contemplate going back for anything slower. That large max aperture brings a great number of competitive advantages.

Those 2 lenses can cover 100% of M user needs. Some prefer 28mm down there, but they deprive themselves from that extra aperture. Others prefer 90/135 up there, but they can only shoot in good light or with fast film.

You will find the 75 a 100 times more useful than the 90 f2.8.

OK that lens is big and heavy (in M terms) but really OK compared to most SLR equivalents. Weight and size are not good reasons to deprive oneself of that one.

Viewfinder intrusion is a fact, and you will have to decide if you can live with that. For careful framing, you will have to place your confidence in what you left eye sees (assuming you are a right eye shooter) or move the camera around a little bit. I have personally never had bad surprises on the final image...

-- Jacques (jacquesbalthazar@hotmail.com), February 09, 2002.

I use the 35/75 lux combo on two bodies. 35 on the 0.72 and 75 on the 0.85. For my purposes, this constitutes the "heavy duty" outfit to a "T". All intermediate focal lengths are covered by my lower extremities. JMHO but the 75 should really be used with a 0.85 body as focus @ f1.4 becomes ultra critical (especially in moderately close portraiture) and make damn sure the rangefinder is properly adjusted too. On leisurely days when I anticipate little shooting I'll just pack the 0.85 body and my 50 cron. Basic, no frills outfit that is quite versatile too.

But... the 35/75 combo with Ilford HP5+ or Delta 3200, no flash, is a deadly combination for a "night on the town".

;-)

-- John (ouroboros_2001@yahoo.com), February 09, 2002.

DO NOT GET RID OF YOUR 90TE! Instead rent, beg, borrow or steal time with a 75 'Lux first. It is a beast compared to the 90TE. I have both lenses, and the FIRST lens I would dump is the 75, while the the 90TE would be the second to last lens I'd dump. Heck, I'd get rid of my 90APO before I got rid of my 90TE...

:-),

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), February 09, 2002.

I like how the 75 lux handles on the M6! It's pretty light, especially for its size compared to my chrome 35 lux. It really doesn't intrude on the viewfinder frame much either! I don't understand all the untoward crying about the drawbacks of the 75. Maybe some of the people who do this have only played around with it in the store. I'm going for another, I've had two that have been defective, but I'm sure the right one is out there for me. Then it will be my M6, 35, and 75, period. The 75 acts as a nice grip with your left hand, and is pretty reassuring to handle as a body/lens combo. I think its quite compact, especially for the f/1.4. Go try one out if you can.

-- james (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), February 09, 2002.

I definitely agree with Jack. I sold a 90/2 and 50/1.4 for the 75 expecting it to be the ideal compromise between carrying those 2 lenses. My 75 sat on the shelf almost three years unused because it was so heavy, bulky, slow and stiff focusing, and obscured a chunk of the 75 frame. And it was too long for 50 shots and too short for 90 shots. This is one decision you really need to make hands-on. In any case, I kept my 90 T/E all the while and I suggest doing likewise.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), February 09, 2002.

Although I have no problems with the 75, it does make me ponder the optimality of a 35-50-90 combo. Namely, a 50 noctilux, and the 90 summicron. Hmn...now that I am relieved of my 75, I have this choice. Depends on what I'll be photographing I guess.

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), February 09, 2002.

We have a 90 TE ( without the fogging problem) - - and we'd sooner sell our firstborn than to sell that beauty. With Provia 100, Pat and I can cover almost everything we want to shoot that requires a lens in the 90-105 range.

-- George C. Berger (gberger@his.com), February 09, 2002.

Hello Ted. The 75mm lens is a beautiful performer however, the handling and viewing characteristics of this new combination would be different to what you have now.Personally,I am not comfortable with the framing corners of the 75mm.'Lux versus the 90mm. framing lines.Plus I prefer that extra reach of the 90mm. As noted, your 90mm. is a valued optic.As they say "You don't really know what you've got until it's gone." Regards.

-- Sheridan Zantis (albada60@hotmail.com), February 09, 2002.

The 75 has also great bokeh as the following shows:

But this can also be done with the Noctilux.

--Mitch/Alland

-- Mitch Alland (malland@mac.com), February 11, 2002.

In my last posting the image doesn't show up. You can see it at:

http://www.photo.net/photodb/image-display?photo_id=508774

I've had this problem before but have forgotten what I did wrong. Maybe some kind soul can tell me.

--Mitch/Bangkok

-- Mitch Alland (malland@mac.com), February 11, 2002.

Turning off centering...

-- Ken Geter (kgeter@yahoo.com), February 12, 2002.

One more time...

-- Ken Geter (kgeter@yahoo.com), February 12, 2002.

Ken:

Great, but that doesn't make the picture appear

-- Mitch Alland (malland@mac.com), February 12, 2002.