Leica 75mm Summilux-M f/1.4

It is my first leica M lens, It put me to limit on the worst light environment. I used in my friend''s wedding without flash. The output suprise me by its sharpest and white balance. I have never used such larger f no lens.

image quality is not equal to its size and price

short dept of field by f1.4. but it is the weakness or 75mm lens. At 2m it only has 6mm dept of field

35mm f.2 ASPH

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I live in an area that has a Leica dealer who would never keep the 75 Summilux lens in stock; therefore, I was never able to "test drive" the lens. I have seen such a difference of opinion expressed on the web, that I was intrigued and had to try it. I am certainly glad that I did. I find the 75 neither too large nor too heavy. In fact, I find that it balances quite well on my M6 HM body. The focus is not stiff like many have proclaimed, in fact it focuses more smoothly than my 90 Summicron APO ASPH. I like the focal length of the 75 and think that it is optimal with the rangefinder; the 90 is more difficult for me to focus accurately with my 48 year old eyes.

*Leica M System
*Capable of recording the subtlest tonal/gradation variance
* Sharp
*Perfect focal length for portraiture
*Easier (for me) to focus than a 90
*The best portrait lens that I have ever used (any format)

Yes, it is expensive, but I bought this lens on Ebay for 1/2 price of a new lens (like new condition).

Are there similar products? I own a 90 Summicron APO ASPH; it is absolutely top tier, but has a different signature than the 75 Summilux. I have owned other medium telephoto portrait lenses - in my experience nothing touches this lens.

None needed to date

This is a great lens if you do a lot of head and shoulders portraiture. I find that with the M system the choice of lens for my type of photography is really dictated on how close I can get to my subject without making them feel nervous. The 75 was a premier achievement by Leitz but I think an update is needed. Please, if it is at all possible make a true tele version of this lens. Compactness is one of the most revered traits of M equipment and something that alot of real world photographers are looking for when purchasing equipment.
That having been said I cannot complain about the results that you get with this lens. Provided you know how to use it properly it will yield first class results that many a 35 mm system would be hard pressed to duplicate (although the Nikon and Canon primes are just as good to my eyes). The difference between the rangefinder and SLR is elucidated in certain picture taking situations. I do most of my work on the street where people can get pretty hostile when you aim a photo-recording device at them for any amount of time. With my Leica 75 on a M body it can be done discreetly and with very little risk of commotion. Try that with a 35 mm SLR "paparatzzi hand-cannon" sometime, I hope you have insurance!!!!!

-fast
-bokeh (the best, right there with the 35 mm summicron [old])
-contrast, you are not limited by the lens only the film
-flare is non-existent if you religiously use the hood (like your suppose to)
-balance is not quite up to the 90 APO ASPH but its pretty good to me

-$$$$$$$$$$$$ as with all Leica products
-weight (shave off 200 g and make an equivalent 2.0 lens and I'm there!!!)
-length ~ apparently this is the only non-true telephoto in the M lineup which means its longer than its focal length. It should be a true tele so that its easier to fit into my Domke 803 satchel.

-Leica 24 mm Elmarit ASPH
-Leica 35 mm Summicron
-Leica Tri-Elmar

Never needed to test Don's resolve yet and I have confidence in the grey market stuff from reputable sources like Don Chatterton.

Without a doubt the best head shot lens there is out there at every f stop across the range. Shows every line of a person's face and really blurs out the background at 1.4. Bokeh,definiton, color gradation, contrast, color separation are simply without peer. Will last a life time and will always retain a high value when compared to the competition.

The best 35mm lens in its category built.

Weight is a little heavy for travel.

Nikon 105/2.5 , Minolta 100/2.8 Macro

None

The nicest lens I have ever used at this focal length, bar none. I find excuses to shoot it, I like it soo much. Sold all the others mentioned above once I saw the results. A GREAT OPTIC

SHARP

Weaknesses:

A bit Heavy

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 85 f1.4, Contax 85 f1.4, Canon L 85 F1.2

Customer Service:

Excellent