Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/07/09
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]George, In Erwin's latest book he puts the 75M and the 80R together in his review and notes slight nuances between the two; in other words no effective difference between the two lenses optically. So the real question is do you feel comfortable beyond 50 on an M or is that the dividing line where you start to reach for an SLR? Whichever way you find your comfort zone then that is the way to make your purchase. The 75 has a rather long focus throw to facilitate coming down from infinity to your point of coincidence without overshooting. I've found that by zone focusing first I can bring up sharp focus very quickly once the viewfinder is at eyelevel. There is nothing but praise for sharpness, smoothness with fine detail, and wonderful out of focus rendering. A Leica Shooter was asking prices. If you are not in a hurry and don't mind the first version with removable hood you can find ex ones periodically for about $1300 but you have to be ready to buy on the spot. The normal going price for ex+ to mint seems to be around $1700-$1800 US. That's just my rough ongoing what things cost index. Some of our dealer friends on the list will likely be more exact. Aside from the FSF friends Don Chatterton has been very good to me on all levels as a dealer.