Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/10/06
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Don't JUST DO IT! Buzz and I spar about this all the time face to face...:-) I OWNED and USED the 75 1.4. It is unquestionably one of the best pieces of glass Leica offers; it is a razor blade optimized for cutting images. But...I found the focal length very bothersome - read useless. It gets you too close if what you really want is a 50, and it doesn't get you close enough if what you really need is an 85 or 90. In fact, I think I tested it once and found out that it gets me about 1.5 steps closer than a 50. When I want a 50, I often don't want to, or can't step back 1.5 feet. I wish that Leica had been able to simply port the formulation of this lens to a 50 configuration and made it the new Summilux - it would have blown everything else away. But, alas, they didn't. The question for you, then, is not whether it's a gorgeous lens optically, or whether other people have taken great photos with it. The question is whether the focal length is right for you. I now have the Cosina 75 f 2.5, which is optically excellent - not earthshaking, like the Leica 75 - and which is tiny, and very inexpensive. On those few occasions when the focal length is right, I have it, but I don't have it in the form of a very expensive lens that will get very little use. Think about it. And if there is any way you can, rent, borrow, steal one and use it for a while. Then, if you still want it, get in touch with Kyle and if he still owns it, maybe he'll sell you the 75 I sold him. Best B. D. -----Original Message----- From: lug-bounces+bdcolen=earthlink.net@leica-users.org [mailto:lug-bounces+bdcolen=earthlink.net@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of buzz.hausner@verizon.net Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2004 11:30 AM To: Leica Users Group Subject: [Leica] 75mm 1.4 JUST DO IT! I'll tell you, Matt, this is a question posted to the LUG quite often, "What should I [buy, save, use]." Unfortunately, you alone can answer this question and looking at other people's pictures implies nothing about your own photographic style and interests. It doesn't sound as if you're in any hurry to unload the gear if you haven't picked it up in three years. For most of us, investing in a Leica lens...or disposing of a Leica lens...is a substantial and serious decision. Use the 75 Summilux, even if you have to wait until you have the time to really exercize it. Look at the pictures you took. Are they satisfying? Do they represent your personal aesthetics? Did you capture what you intended to capture? This is only way you can make an informed decision based upon your own needs and capabilities. If you are pressed for time, my first piece of advice is to log off the LUG and GO TAKE SOME PICTURES. NOW! Buzz Hausner > > From: Matt Morgan <mattmorgan1@mac.com> > Date: 2004/10/06 Wed AM 11:18:39 EDT > To: Leica Users Group <lug@leica-users.org> > Subject: Re: [Leica] 75mm 1.4 - Any pics? > > On 6 Oct 2004, at 22:48, buzz.hausner@verizon.net wrote: > > > I'm a bit confused here. If you already have a 75mm Summilux, just > > go > > out and shoot a roll of C-41 film and run it by the pharmacy. > > Buzz, > > I don't really have time to scratch my proverbials at the moment, let > alone test things, but of course I will, and want to. I didn't just > want to judge the full potential of the lens with my 'snapping', so I'm > interested in seeing what good photographers, much better than me, can > do with the tool in existing examples, and shots they are happy with > that demonstrate the quality of the lens. I'm sure it might take me > quite awhile to actually get to use the lens in the way I would want. > > I actually got the Leica stuff out again after maybe nearly two years > of inactivity and was thinking about selling the lot. But, started to > fondle and play with it again, and....well, you know how it is, the bug > for classic quality started to bite again. > > Matt _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information