The LEICA SUMMARIT-M 1:2.5/75 mm is a new “short telephoto” lens that is significantly smaller and lighter than Summicron lenses with the same focal length, but still offers the image quality that is the hallmark of Leica M lenses. Combined with the 35 mm Summarit-M, it makes up an ideal shooting outfit with a useful lens speed that opens up fascinating composition options for Leica M photographers.
The ultra-compact “short telephoto”
The new 75 mm Summarit-M replaces the portrait focal lengths of 90 –100 mm for digital use. Its exceptionally compact design and performance bring a new level of flexibility to rangefinder photography. Our concentration on the essential elements, including the features, is now an alternative for more serious photographers. All new Summarit-M lenses are supplied with metal covers and velour pouches, while high quality lens hoods are available as accessories.
Subtle modulation
The natural perspective provided by this focal length means that portrait shots have a lovely plasticity with well-differentiated contours,
without the subject losing any of its lifelike and natural appearance. In reportage, for example, the critical elements of the subject can be selectively emphasized without losing the overall context.
Concentrated performance
Even at full aperture, the lens demonstrates excellent imaging capability with outstanding contrast over the entire image field. A slight reduction in quality can only be seen in the corners – which are not even captured by the slightly smaller format of the digital LEICA M8 –
but this can be almost totally eliminated by stopping down to 5.6. At close range, image quality is reduced only slightly, but is well up to the Leica standard.
Sophisticated special glass
The LEICA SUMMARIT-M 75 mm f/2.5 is a double-Gauss type with six lens elements in four groups – three in front of and three behind the diaphragm, with the last lens positioned slightly closer to the focal plane to reduce bulging of the image field. Four elements are made of special glass with anomalous partial dispersion and two of them are also high index glass. Maximum light falloff in the corners is around 1.5 stops at full aperture in the 35 mm format. Stopping down to f/4 reduces this light falloff to a negligible level. The extremely low distortion of just 0.8 % is essentially invisible in all practical applications.
Angle of view (diagonal, horizontal, vertical):
For 35 mm (24x36 mm): 32°, 27°, 18°
For LEICA M8 (18x27 mm) : 24.4°, 20.4°, 13.7°, corresponds to a focal length of approx. 100 mm with 35 mm-format
Optical design
Number of elements / groups: 6 / 4
Focal length: 75.0 mm
Entrance pupil: 29.9 mm (related to the first lens surface in light direction)
Focusing range: 0.9 m (3 ft) to Infinity
Distance setting
Scale: combined meter/feet-increments
Smallest object field: for 35 mm: approx. 238 x 357 mm, for LEICA M8: approx. 178 x 268 mm
Highest reproduction ratio: 1:9.9
Diaphragm
Setting / Type: Preset, with clickstops (including half values), manual diaphragm
Smallest aperture: f/16
Bayonet: Leica M quick-change bayonet
Filter (type): Non-rotating, internal thread for screw-on filters size E 46, external thread with stop for lens hood
Lens hood: protection ring for external thread included in delivery, screw-in lens hood available as accessory
Dimensions and weight
Length: 60.5 mm / 2.4 in
Largest diameter: 55 mm / 2.2 in
Weight: approx. 345 g / 12.2 oz