75mm Leica Summilux vs. 7artisans vs. Voigtländer Nokton - Lens Comparison - Christian Doffing

July 10, 2021 Christian Doffing

This review is about 75mm lenses in 3 different variants. The 7artisans f/1.25, the Voigtländer f/1.5 and the Summilux f/1.4 Version 2 (11815). They are all quite different and sometimes when you want to shoot with a 75mm, you have to decide. In this text I would like to report about the differences and similarities of these three lenses.

The most obvious thing these lenses have in common is the focal length. 75mm is ideal for portraits (especially headshots or half portraits) but also for street photos, as you can stay on the sidelines more easily. The focal length, especially with open aperture, is the limit of what is possible, if you are only focusing with the rangefinder. To get razor-sharp photos you need a lot of precision, a little more time than usual and, above all, a perfectly adjusted rangefinder and lens. If available, you can of course also use the EVF/Visoflex or live view to focus.

That brings us to the first difference. In my opinion, of all 3 lenses, the Voigtländer was easiest to focus through the rangefinder. I can't say exactly why, but purely subjective, the images were sharper and misfocusing was easier to compensate. Maybe it was because it has the "smallest" aperture in comparison. The Summilux, contrary to expectations, caused me the most difficulties. To be fair, it has to be said that this lens was originally designed for an analog camera and not for an over-correct digital sensor. In terms of handling, it is noticeable that the Voigtländer is the smallest and lightest of all 3 lenses. The Summilux and the 7artisans aren’t differing much in terms of weight. When you rotate the aperture ring on the 7artisans, you kind of have the feeling of loading a revolver, because of the clicking sound but also the feeling is so sharp and metallic. So you can be sure that you have actually selected the correct aperture.

However much more important are the picture differences. Does it make a difference whether you shoot at f/1.25 or f/1.5? Well, let’s see:

7artisans at f/1.25

Summilux at f/1.4

Voigtländer at f/1.5

All of the following images were only slightly corrected in terms of exposure and the white balance was adjusted. It was the same setting for all pictures.
It is noticeable that every lens handles colors a little bit different. Voigtländer and 7artisans depict the colors quite neutrally in contrast to the Summilux. Here they tend more towards blue/green. This is of course, like all, a question of adjustment and can be easily corrected, implied that you also edit your pictures afterwards.

The bokeh of Summilux and Voigtländer is very similar, only the size of the bokeh circles seem to be slightly different. The 7artisans has slightly larger and rounder bokeh circles compared to its competitors. It also seems a little creamier and smoother. And is the larger aperture worth it? To be honest, no. The difference is visible, but less pronounced than expected. The exposure time gained in low light is also relatively short.

Let's look at the lenses again with a comparable aperture:

7artisans at f/5.6

Summilux at f/5.6

Voigtländer at f/5.6

The color handling is the same again. The bokeh circles are the roundest on the 7artisans, but you have to look very closely. One category that is very important to me, is the flare properties of a lens. I know, not everyone is a fan of it, but this case is a good example to look at them, because all three lenses flare clearly and very differently, when the light falls into the lens at the right way:

7artisans at f/1.25 and maximum lens flare

Summilux at f/1.4 and maximum lens flare

Voigtländer at f/1.5 and maximum lens flare

While the 7artisans has a bluish veil laying over the picture, the Summilux and Voigtländer show a sharply defined flare. The flare of the Summilux reminds me a lot of the one of the Summilux 50 pre-ASPH. (maybe more on that in a later blog). If you don't push the Voigtlander's flare to the limit, it looks a lot like the flare of the 35mm f/1.4 Nokton.

I'll try to summarize the whole thing a little bit. All three lenses are great and more than sufficiently sharp, provided you focus precisely and with patience. All three have a very nice rendering and drawing of the bokeh, whereby the 7artisans looks a bit creamier and smoother. They are very different in terms of the flare, but that was to be expected. They differ greatly in size and weight, as well as in price. The following could perhaps also serve as a small decision-making aid: The 7artisans is delivered without a lens hood, the Summilux has a built-in lens hood that can be pushed up but not be locked. With the Voigtländer the scope of delivery includes a vented lens hood in a classic style, which is clamped to the lens with a screw.

You have a lot of fun taking pictures with all of these three.