75/1.4 Summilux-M : one opinion

[KEVIN BURKE <KBURKE@iterated.com>]

Someone asked for opinions on the 75/1.4 Summilux-M; here is mine:

I've been using this lens for about six months on an M6 & M4-P.  Its primary
use has been indoors under available light with PKL and NHG.  Initially, I
borrowed one from one of the local dealers for a week before deciding to
get one myself.  I have been using a 5 element 90/2 Summicron-M for 8 years
(on the same M bodies) and have gotten to know its characteristics.  I've 
shot
test targets with other lenses but haven't with this one.  For me, I 
believed
that the best test was to use it under the conditions where I expected
to use use it most of the time.

The first thing I noticed about the 75/1.4 was that the contrast seemed high
at large apertures in the near focus range.  My 90/2 gets slightly softer
in contrast under the same conditions and I've grown to like it a lot when
shooting people.  I think this character of the 75/1.4 is good (for the 
right
subject) but on this point, I'm still adjusting.

Part of my original rationalization for picking up the 75/1.4 was that I am 
less
than satisfied with the size of the 90mm frames in the M6.  The 75mm 
markings
always looked like a good alternative to having my range/viewfinder swapped
out for that of an M3.  The different focal length of the 75/1.4 ended up 
being more noticable to me in print than I had imaged.  I think this was a 
result of my tendency
to do tight portraits with these focal lengths.

This is the fastest lens I own.  I like the extra speed.  The loaner I 
borrowed was
nicely broken in and the focus ring was very smooth to use.  I could make 
very
small compensations with little effort.  Most of my images had the plane of 
critical
focus very near the intended point under 10x magnification.  My newer one is
a bit stiffer to focus.  I'm missing a few more shots as a result. 
 Considering the
DOF is barely the thickness of a pencil at 1 meter, this lens really tests 
my eye
for being able to align the rangefinder images.  I sometimes wonder if a 
bright SLR
screen with such a lens might not work nearly as well.

To keep a short story moderate: I've long considered my 90/2 to be a 
"keeper".
I've been interested in the new 90/2.8 Elmarit-M but would probably use it 
for
different things.  To my mind, the jury is still out on the 75/1.4.  It has 
returned some
beautiful images - particularly with strong backlight.  I currently do not 
own a 50mm
lens but am planning to pick something up.  I might give up the 75/1.4 for a 
fast 50...

...or not.

 - Kevin

kburke@iterated.com