After serious consideration (and looking at Mike's pictures) I think that for a two lens combination, I would be better off with the 75 Lux over my brand new 90 Apo with my 35 Lux Asph. I am considering trading because my dreams of owning a 35 Lux, 50 Noct, and 90 APO are too (financially) far away. I also think that the f/1.4 would better suit my needs. Sure the 90 is probably a bit sharper, but practicality is more important to me at the moment. I'd prefer to do the deal with someone in Australia to avoid taxes but will consider an international transaction. Anyone interested?

-- Kristian (leicashot@hotmail.com), March 06, 2002

Answers

The 90mmAPO costs $1,900 in the US, vs. $2,500 for the 75mm. You could get a 50mm f2.0 Summicron for $1,000 and then have the 90mmAPO and a great 50mm. If you wait for Leica Day, it will be even cheaper.

Mike Dixon's pictures have more to do with Mike than with his cameras or lenses (or his models). I'm not knocking you here, but the 90mmAPO is a phenomenal lens, you haven't even given it a fair try. Mike's 90mm APO picture of the model is terrific too.

Look at some of the other people's 75mm submissions. Most of them are nothing to write home about. The lens is just a lens.

Please reconsider. Don't be too hasty in tossing the 90mmAPO. Unless you intend to only live in a f1.0 or f1.4 world.

-- Vikram (VSingh493@aol.com), March 06, 2002.

Well, Kristian it is frustrating to buy a great lens like the 90 AA that doesn't meet basic speed needs for serious low light. I did a similar thing when I purchased a beautiful (chrome) 90 mm 2.8 Elmarit- M and found I was bottoming out even with 1600 ISO film photographing my daughter's choir and orchestra concerts. Yes, when the light is questionable the 75 mm f/1.4 Summilux is the only answer (and a fine answer it is) in medium telephoto options for the M. I have been using my 75 mm Lux for a couple months now and it is my firm belief that (for my circumstances) f/2 simply doesn't cut it over 50% of the time. In terms of your long term planning I believe the Nocti will complement the 75 mm quite well also. There is quite a bit of difference in perspective between 50 mm and 75 mm and the Nocti will still get you 1 more stop and a lower shutter speed / focal length coefficient to boot. Kristian, good luck on the trade, I am sure there are 75 mm Lux owners who do find f/2 adequate and would love to have your sparkling 90 mm AA.

Doug from Tumwater

-- Doug from Tumwater (dbaker9128@aol.com), March 06, 2002.

I like Mike Dixon's photo taken with 90 better than the 75. By whatever can be judged from the screen images it semed to render the perifery crisper, and also handled the flare more to my liking. If I want flare I just use a Sima 100 2.0 soft focus lens. I will definitely add the 90 ASPH APO to my bag as soon as I find buyers for my wife, daughter and two cats:-(

-- Igor Osatuke (visionstudios@yahoo.com), March 06, 2002.

Go 75! Hehehe, I am playing devil's advocate to the others who are pro-90. I can't see myself switching lenses all the time between 35- 50-90, but I can see my self using the 35-75 lux combo more efficiently, and liking the wide-open performance. I mean moving in and out a little seems simple compared to switching lenses, my shots aren't that fussy to want 3 lenses either. I'm not going to be critiquing my shots, and thinking, "Hmn...I wonder how the background would differ with the 90 as compared to the 75, hmn!" Anyway, I hope you find someone who wants to trade, I guess there's always selling your 90 outright and buying the 75 from the proceeds. Usually a greater chance of this occurring statistically.

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), March 06, 2002.

Kristian,

Me thinks you are being too impetuous. If I were you I would use the 90 AA for at least 8 months (baby the thing if you have to!). 8 months later... if you've still got the shakes for the lux then do what you want. I don't think that another 8 months with the 90 will result in any depreciation of the lens (compared to the day when you broke the seal on the box). Also, you are analyzing Mr. Dixon's photos in the wrong light IMHO. Instead of obsessing about the equipment he used to generate those images you should be focusing on how you can make more compelling images with what you have now (not that its a shabby set-up to begin with). Please don't become a gear junkie/ otaku. Its the least rewarding facet of the photographic endeavor.

Sincerely,

-- John (ouroboros_2001@yahoo.com), March 06, 2002.

james, I knew you'd say that! Anyway I don't really care either way. I am happy with my 90APO, and don't mind keeping it. It is just that the 75 would be (slightly) more suited to my needs, regardless of Mike's fine pics. If the trade never happens, I won't be losing any sleep.

-- Kristian (leicashot@hotmail.com), March 06, 2002.

Kristian, as an idea, why not get a Voigt/Cosina 75/2.4 used, as a cheap way to find out if this focal length is your style? Of course, money may be no consideration to you, but the VC lens is very small without its hood, almost as small as the 50 Summicron. A handy little portrait lens to have in most lighting conditions...

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), March 06, 2002.

Mani, a great suggestion but I still can't afford to do such a trial at the moment. The lens costs US$450 here, and would have 50% resale value. The 90 Apo is tiny to me as i have come from a Nikon 85mm f/1.4. So size is no concern, but always welcommed at the right time with the right product

-- Kristian (leicashot@hotmail.com), March 06, 2002.

Well...actually a 35-90 combo for now and maybe the 50 later (but only if u need it) is obviouly killer too. Either way you win. Both the 90 and Noct are technologically tops.

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), March 06, 2002.

Kristian, I am willing to trade my Noctilux for your 75mm Summilux.

(Sorry - could not resist) :-)

-- enrique munoz (dem331@yahoo.com), March 07, 2002.

I have a 90 APO ont a 75 Lux. I'd love the Noct, but be left without a portrait lens. Pity the Noct only focuses to 1 m.

-- kristian (leicashot@hotmail.com), March 07, 2002.