Leica Summarit-M 75mm f/2.4

Leica Summarit-M 75mm f/2.4

Positioned as the affordable short telephoto in Leica's M lineup, the Summarit-M 75mm f/2.4 trades the extreme speed and price of the 75mm Summicron and APO-Summicron for a smaller, lighter package while keeping full Leica build and rangefinder integration. It was announced on 16 September 2014 as part of a complete second-generation overhaul of the Summarit-M family, in which the previous f/2.5 lenses were replaced by a quartet of f/2.4 designs in 35mm, 50mm, 75mm and 90mm focal lengths, offered for the first time in both black and silver anodized finishes [1].

Optically the lens is a classic double-Gauss derivative built from six elements in four groups, with three elements on each side of the diaphragm and a field-flattening element placed near the image plane. Four elements use special glass with anomalous partial dispersion, two of them of very high refractive power, to control aberrations in a compact barrel [2]. The lens is significantly more compact than other M lenses of similar focal length, and over its f/2.5 predecessor the close-focus distance was shortened to 0.7 m. Aperture runs from f/2.4 to f/16 with click stops and intermediate half-value positions, set by an 11-blade diaphragm, and the manual-focus barrel couples to the rangefinder through the standard Leica M quick-change bayonet [3]. It takes E46 screw-in filters and ships with a dedicated screw-on hood and a metal cap. Reviewers note its modest size and short focus throw, which make it quick to handle and well balanced on an M body, though the short throw demands accurate technique at this focal length [4].

The lens carries Leica order numbers 11682 for the black version and 11683 for the silver, and uses six-bit coding so digital M bodies can recognize the lens and call up the appropriate frame lines and metadata. The replacement hood is catalogued as part 12460. Compared with the earlier 75mm f/2.5 Summarit-M, the f/2.4 generation is distinguished by the new finish options, the closer 0.7 m minimum focus, and a redesigned barrel.

Optical qualities

Rendering User and reviewer accounts consistently describe the 75mm Summarit-M as a sharp, high-contrast lens that performs well even wide open, delivering dependable results without much effort and smooth out-of-focus rendering typical of a short telephoto on the M system[5]. As a relatively simple double-Gauss design, it is reported to behave more like a conventional fast telephoto than the more elaborate, apochromatically corrected 75mm Summicron and APO lenses, and some users find it close enough in practice that the price difference is hard to justify. Independent, standardized lab data for this lens is limited, so detailed claims about distortion, vignetting and corner behavior should be treated cautiously.

History

Development and Launch The lens debuted with the September 2014 announcement of the new Summarit-M generation, presented by Leica as offering improved imaging characteristics and a new mechanical design across all four focal lengths. The Summarit line was conceived as a compromise between lens speed and compact size, giving M users a lower-cost entry point than the Summicron and Summilux families. The 75mm and 90mm reached dealers first in September 2014, with the 35mm and 50mm following in October.

Production Evolution The f/2.4 model directly replaced the earlier 75mm f/2.5 Summarit-M. Key differences introduced with the new version include the availability of black and silver finishes, the reduced 0.7 m minimum focusing distance, and revised barrel construction; the six-element, four-group optical layout and 11-blade diaphragm are documented for the f/2.4 design.

Special editions No widely documented factory special editions of the Summarit-M 75mm f/2.4 are recorded beyond the standard black (11682) and silver (11683) finishes.

Collector Notes Buyers should confirm the order number to distinguish the black and silver variants and verify that the lens carries the six-bit coding contacts used by digital M bodies. Some users note that the rubberized focus ring on the Summarit barrels can discolor or wear with use, which is a cosmetic point worth checking, and that the silver finish paired with a black rubber ring is a matter of taste. As a recent and still-produced lens, originality concerns are minimal, but the dedicated hood (replacement part 12460) and metal cap are worth confirming as present.