75MM BAYONET MOUNT LENSES
75mm f/1.4 Summilux (Version 1)
The first version of 75mm f/1.4 Summilux (catalog number 11814123) was introduced in at Photokina 1980492, started shipping in April 1981493, and remained in the catalog until 1982361. The 75mm f/1.4 Summilux lens, when used at its maximum aperture, offerred medium contrast and medium definition361. However, its performance improved significantly when stopped down361. Flare was effectively suppressed; although the outer zones of the image could appear soft, this was generally not a concern given the types of images typically captured with this lens361. The lens had field of view of 31 degrees492.
The lens had 7 elements in 5 groups, had E60 filter size, click stops at half f-numbers, smallest aperture of f/16, combined feet/meter scale, minimum focusing distance of 1 meter, and weight of 490g492. It used removable hood (12539)123.
The serial numbers ranged from 3063301 through 3885206 for all three versions of 75mm f/1.4 Summilux (11814, 11815, 11810)361.
75mm f/1.4 Summilux (Version 2)
The second version of 75mm f/1.4 Summilux (11815123) was introduced in 1982361 with number 3223301542 and remained in the catalog until 1998361. This version had new mount361 with a built-in extendable lens hood123.
The lens used E60 filters123 and weighted 600g361.
The serial numbers range from 3063301 through 3885206 for all three versions of 75mm f/1.4 Summilux (11814, 11815, 11810)361.
Some lenses were engraved "Leica 1913-1983" in 1983361.
75mm f/1.4 Summilux (Version 3)
The third version of 75mm f/1.4 Summilux (catalog number 11810212) was introduced in 1998212 and remained in the catalog until 2004361. It had the same optical design as the Canadian 75mm f/1.4 Summilux (Version 2)212.
The lens was known for its unique ability to capture smooth fine detail and subtle colour hues at maximum aperture, making it particularly suited for candid head-and-shoulder portraits361. The lens had an identical outward appearance with the then-standard finely knurled rings for selecting aperture and distance, but it was lighter361.
The price at introduction was 2495 USD212. By the year 2000, the third version of 75mm f/1.4 Summilux lens had the second-highest price tag in the lens lineup, with only the 50mm f/1 Noctilux being slightly more expensive361. Despite being positioned at a premium price, it was a steady but slow seller, with approximately 13000 units sold over nearly 25 years361.
The lens used E60 filters123 and weighted 560g212.
The serial numbers ranged from 3063301 through 3885206 for all three versions of 75mm f/1.4 Summilux (11814, 11815, 11810)361.
Last production run was at the Solms factory361.
75mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH
Deliveries of the 75mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH (code-named 11637 in black anodized finish) started in May of 2005271. Silver chrome version was introduced in 2020 (see p.88 3/2020 Leica Fotografie International).
The 75mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH was a lens known for its high contrast and exceptional detail resolution, featuring a very flat image plane361. This was particularly impressive for a high-speed lens, as optical systems typically used curved (spherical) elements, which tend to produce a curved image surface361. To correct this aberration, a reduction of the Petzval sum was required361. Achieving this was challenging, but the use of high-index glasses with anomalous dispersion, a floating element, and aspherical elements collectively contributed to minimizing the Petzval sum and chromatic errors361.
At full aperture, the lens delivered outstanding detail definition from the center to the edges361. Stopping down to medium apertures enhanced contrast and sharpens the finest details361. Veiling glare wasa nonexistent, allowing the lens to render deep black shadows while maintaining clean separation of subtle shadow details361. The internal blackening of the mount, along with the black paint on the ring sets of the lens elements, effectively reduced secondary reflections, ensuring that halos around specular highlights were not visible361.
The 75mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH operated with the solid smoothness characteristic of the current generation of Leica lenses361. Although it was relatively heavy for its size, this weight was attributed to the specialized types of glass used361.
There were 7 elements in 5 groups, with one aspherical surface (press-molded) on one lens element, with the last group being moveable361.
The minimum focusing distance was 70cm361. The weight was 430 grams361. The filter size was E49361. The lens hood was built-in, telescopic and lockable361.
The list price was 2695 USD at the introduction271.
75mm f/2.5 Summarit-M
It featured a compact mount with a rubberized grip and operated very smoothly361. In terms of performance, it was only slightly below that of its counterpart, the 75mm f/2 Apo-Summicron-M ASPH361.
The 75mm f/2.5 Summarit-M could be described as a high-contrast, high-definition lens with excellent resolving power for fine details361. While there was a slight softening of the main subject outlines at maximum aperture, the lens delivered impressive results at medium apertures361.
The color transmission of the 75mm f/2.5 Summarit-M was nearly neutral, with a slight warm bias361. However, this color bias was less critical in the digital workflow, where white balance options could easily correct it361. The 75mm f/2.5 Summarit-M lens adhered to the classic tradition of Leitz designers dating back to the era of Max Berek, emphasizing high performance in a compact package361. This design aligned with the rangefinder philosophy of unobtrusive photography using pocket-sized cameras and lenses361.
The minimum focusing distance was 90cm361. The weight was approximately 345 grams361. The filter thread was non-rotating, internal thread for screw-on E46 filters361. There was a external thread with stop for lens hood, protection ring for external thread included in delivery, and lens hood available as accessory361.
75mm f/1.25 Noctilux ASPH
The 75mm f/1.25 Noctilux ASPH was introduced in 2018519. This was the first Noctilux lens to feature a tripod collar519. The lens weighted 900 grams519.
The lens was made up of 9 elements, including two aspherical surfaces519. The use of specialized glass types with a high refractive index helped to nearly eliminate monochromatic flaws such as spherical aberration, coma, astigmatism, and distortion519. Additionally, glass elements with anomalous partial dispersion were employed to minimize chromatic aberrations519.
This lens was derived from the 50mm f/0.95 Noctilux-M ASPH lens519. It also significantly obscured a portion of the rangefinder window519.