Re: [Leica] 75 Summilux

[TTAbrahams@aol.com]

Charles, there are 3 versions of the Summilux 75/1,4. The first version was
the 1981/82 versions with a plastic clip on hood. It was replaced in mid 80's
with a sliding hood  and the latest version "made in Germany". The first two
versions were optically the same. The early,clip-on hood version had a fairly
short production run, while the 2nd version was in production for more than 10
years ,until the latest incarnation came out. I have used version 1 and 2 for
17 years. There is no difference between them from a image point of view. The
older versions hood tends to block the lower right hand corner of the
viewfinder slightly more than the 2nd versions hood. Both lenses are heavy,
but tend to balance on the camera very well. It is a better balanced set up
than the 50/1 Noctilux. Quality wise it is a spectacularly good lens, very
nice contrast, very sharp (watch out with portraits, it can alienate any
subject with the slightest imperfection in the skin). Color is contrasty and
fairly neutral. Wide open it requires a very precise focus, there isn't much
depth of field at 1.4 and close range focus.
 Occasionally I have found it to have a somewhat selective focus. On some
bodies it has a focus shift, particularly at 8-10 feet, where the camera
indicated focus is not the lens focus. As with the Noctilux, it can be
worthwhile to have your rangefinder checked and set up for the 75.
 Pricewise, expect to pay from $1500 and up, depending on model and condition.
The earlier one tends to be cheaper, but beware of  missing hood. It costs
upwards of $100 to replace and is getting difficult to find.
 The version 2 is generally a good buy, particularly with the "new" version
out. I dont think a 40 grams (1,3 ounces) weight saving is worth the price for
a new, versus a clean used one. 
 A measure of the lens quality is the fact that it is fairly scarce used. Most
users aren't interested in getting rid of theirs. Combined with a 35/1,4 Asph
and a couple of M6's (a regular for the 35/1,4 and a M6HM for the 75) you have
a formidable set up for available light shooting. Some Neopan 1600 and you
will lighten up the night!
Tom A