![\"\"](\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/DSC01671.jpg\")
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This is a short comparative review that is technical in nature with no sample images. There is a tremendous amount of overlap between the 75 and 80 Lux. Read my 75 Lux review here<\/a>. The major differentiators I examine in this post.<\/p>\n I have never seen any rigorous testing of the 75 versus 80 Lux. I have owned them both at separate times, always feeling the 80 Lux was a little softer, less corrected and with more character. I\u2019ve spoken with several shooters who have experienced both lenses and voiced a similar opinion–descriptions like more \u201cvintage,\u201d \u201cmagical\u201d and \u201cgentler\u201d come up. After writing the 75 Lux review and trying to save some money, my curiosity got the better of me and I picked up an 80 Lux to potentially sell my 75 Lux.<\/p>\n After shooting the 75 Lux for nearly 2 years solid, I was surprised when viewing my first batch of 80 Lux files. The signature is quite similar, but the distinctions are definitely there, and without pixel peeping. More than I recalled or anticipated. It was noticeable enough that I\u2019ve decided to make this post for those curious. I figured there was a strong chance the renderings were so similar I wouldn\u2019t bother.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n My 80 Lux is a 1982 copy made in Canada, and my 75 Lux is a 1983 copy made in Canada, so we\u2019re about as close as we can get in terms of production. The lenses are closer in size and weight than you might think:<\/p>\n <\/li> <\/li> <\/li> <\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n If unadapted, the 75 Lux is taller, the 80 Lux thicker. But with an adapter for an A7x series camera, the 80 Lux is both taller and bulkier. The 75 Lux has a 60mm filter thread, the 80 Lux 67mm. Weighed with adapter, both caps and lens, the 80 Lux was 775g, the 75 Lux 666g. The front element coatings are a different color. Both lenses have 10 aperture blades, but the 75 Lux aperture diaphragm creates nasty ninja stars, while the Lux 80\u2019s blades are much better, only leading to slightly not circular bokeh. You\u2019ll easily see the difference in the bokeh section.<\/p>\n Here’s a bokeh photo exhibiting mid-distance bokeh and transition zones. Focal point is about 12 feet away. Tripod used, identical WB, default LR sharpening, 2 second delay, manual magnified focus, IBIS off, identical exposure, no contrast\/saturation adjustments. Upon inspection, you\u2019ll see the 75 Lux has harsher out-of-focus areas. The focus point is the vertical stick at just below the middle of the crops. Take a look: <\/p>\n Near distance uncroped photo. As above, identical image and processing. Let’s look closer: Near distance uncroped photo. As above, identical image and processing. I attempted to use a $10 dollar bill for a closer comparison with Bastian and Phillip’s recent portrait lens reviews, but PS doesn’t support the \u201cediting of banknotes,\u201d so I had to use this instead. I placed the wallet in the dead center of the frame, and where the rules of thirds intersect in the outer-mid frame. All imaging parameters are again identical:<\/p>\n <\/li> <\/li> <\/li> <\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n At 0.7 meters and centered, the Lux 75 shows more defined detail, though slight. I am not sure if that\u2019s a sharpness differential or slightly less SA\/better contrast on the 75 Lux. Or a combination. At 2 meters in the center, we see the same pattern: the 75 Lux is slightly more ahead. At 0.7 meters at the third of the frame, we see more of the same, the Lux 75 is ahead with a crisper image. At 2 meters at the outer mid frame, the Lux 75 is noticeably ahead at each aperture. The 75 Lux has crisper images with less SA and fringing than the 80 Lux at tested apertures at MFD and 2 meters centrally as well as the mid frame. The biggest difference is at the mid frame at 2 meters where the Lux 75 is easily ahead. This is typical shooting and portrait distance, which makes sense while files feel snappier and less dreamy on the 75 Lux.<\/p>\n The 80 Lux has a little more character: less sharpness and softer colors because of greater spherical aberrations, more longitudinal CA, and better shaped, smoother and more abstracted bokeh. I definitely prefer it for black and white. I love the treatment of color, but it\u2019s more frustratingly inconsistent too. And in harsh lighting the CA removal tool in LR can\u2019t quite cut it. But at it’s best I like it better.<\/p>\n The 75 Lux has a punchier feel, better sharpness throughout, stronger colors and fringes less. It\u2019s more predictable, and handles harsh light a better (except flare). There seems to be greater compression of DOF. And it has a more distinct two-character personality as it cleans up more comparatively between f1.4 and f2. The bokeh is distinctly worse\u2014ninja stars, cat\u2019s eye and harsher structurally. Overall, the draw is a little more modern and cleaner on the focus plane, but harsher off it.<\/p>\n Rendering wise, while the differences look small with testing, it is noticeable if you\u2019re accustomed to one or the other. Yet, the two lenses are quite similar\u2014I think of them more as siblings than twins.<\/p>\n And then there is price (80 Lux wins), size (75 Lux wins) and ergonomics (75 Lux wins). Despite being smaller–or at least thinner\u2014I prefer the smoother focusing, smaller size, MF ring and more defined aperture ring of the 75 Lux. And the 80 Lux is just a little higher maintenance all around\u2014it’s bigger, harder to focus precisely, and it results vary more. Sometimes files can feel a little anemic, other times simply stunning (80 Lux wins).<\/p>\n I am still deciding which I will keep. I can\u2019t keep both. It\u2019s a great problem \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n As someone who shoots in harsh outdoor light, moving subjects like dogs and children, and prioritizes a portable kit, I am leaning to the 75 Lux. It’s more user friendly with it’s size, ergo and consistency. But ultimately, I prefer the 80 Lux as a pure portrait lens with it\u2019s softer feel, better bokeh and cheaper price.<\/p>\n This site contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using any of the links marked as affiliate links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support the creation of future content.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Overview This is a short comparative review that is technical in nature with no sample images. There is a tremendous amount of overlap between the 75 and 80 Lux. Read my 75 Lux review here. The major differentiators I examine in this post. I have never seen any rigorous testing of the 75 versus 80 … Continue reading Leica: M-Summilux 75mm vs R-Summilux 80mm<\/span> Physical Differences<\/span><\/h1>\n
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/DSC01672.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/DSC01680.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/DSC01673.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMid-Distance Bokeh & Transition<\/span><\/h1>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/full-post.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/transition-x800.jpg\"){kind=spacer}
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![](\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Lux-75.jpg\"\/)
![](\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Lux-80.jpg\"\/)
<\/div>\nNear-Distance Bokeh<\/span><\/h1>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/full-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/crops-x800.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n
Axial CA<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/full-crop-v2.jpg\")
\nLet’s look closer:![\"\"](\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/fringing-v2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n
Resolution<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/full-MFD-center.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/center-2m-full-crop.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/third-mfd-full-crops.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/2m-thirds-full-crop-.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/MFD-center.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/2m-center.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/third-mfd.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/third-2m.jpg\")
<\/p>\nResolution Summary<\/span><\/h3>\n
Other thoughts<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n
Which one?<\/span><\/h2>\n
So…<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n