Leica 75mm f/2 Summicron-M APO Aspherical M-Mount Lens, Germany, Black, 6-Bit {49} 11637

Leica's apochromatic 75mm portrait lens, corrected to the limit.

The APO-Summicron-M 75mm f/2 ASPH. is built around a 7-element, 5-group formula that uses anomalous partial dispersion glass alongside fluorite glass and a high refractive index aspherical element. The apochromatic design brings all visible wavelengths to a common focal plane, which in practice means color fringing is effectively absent even at f/2. Spherical aberration is controlled to a degree that the contrast curve barely shifts when you stop down, so you're not sacrificing much by shooting wide open.

The rear floating element is the mechanical solution that keeps image quality consistent from infinity down to the 2.3 ft. minimum focusing distance, a genuine engineering challenge given the fixed M-mount geometry established in 1954. The result is a lens that resolves with equal authority whether you're working tight on a face or across a room. At 0.95 lbs. and 2.6 in. long with a 49mm filter thread, it fits within the M system's compact discipline without compromise. 6-bit coding ensures proper lens identification on digital M bodies for accurate EXIF data and vignetting correction.

Few lenses at this focal length render perspective as neutrally as the 75mm field of view does, 47° diagonal, sitting between the compression of a 90mm and the slight environmental inclusion of a 50mm. For portrait and documentary work where you need optical truth alongside subject separation, this is the M-mount lens that delivers both.

Who It's For

Portrait photographers shooting available light will find the f/2 maximum aperture and apochromatic correction produce subject separation without color fringing bleeding into skin tones at the focus boundary. Documentary and reportage shooters benefit from the 2.3 ft. minimum focusing distance, which lets them work closer than most M-mount alternatives at this length. Leica digital M body users get 6-bit coding for automatic lens profiling. Film M shooters who print large or scan at high resolution will see exactly why the floating element and APO glass matter, the rendering holds up under magnification where lesser lenses reveal their limits.

Key Features

• Apochromatic design with anomalous partial dispersion and fluorite glass
• 7-element, 5-group formula with high refractive index aspherical element
• Rear floating element maintains sharpness from infinity to 2.3 ft. minimum focus
• f/2 to f/16 aperture range with virtually no contrast shift when stopped down
• 47° diagonal angle of view for neutral portrait perspective
• 49mm filter thread, 0.95 lbs., Leica M mount with 6-bit coding

FAQ

What does apochromatic correction actually do on this lens?

The APO design uses anomalous partial dispersion glass alongside fluorite to bring all visible wavelengths to the same focal plane, effectively eliminating color fringing even at f/2. You get that correction whether you're shooting wide open or stopped down.

How does the rear floating element improve performance?

It shifts position during focus to maintain consistent image quality from infinity down to 2.3 ft., solving the mechanical challenge of keeping an M-mount lens (design frozen since 1954) optically true across the entire focus range.

Is there noticeable sharpness loss when shooting wide open?

No. The spherical aberration control is tight enough that contrast barely changes when you stop down, so f/2 performance stands on its own without requiring f/5.6 for critical work.

What's the real-world minimum focus distance, and how does it compare to other M-mount portrait lenses?

2.3 ft., which is closer than the 90mm Summicrons (typically 1 m or 3.3 ft.), giving you more subject separation options without backing up as far.

Does the 75mm field of view actually feel different for portraiture than 50mm or 90mm?

Yes. At 47° diagonal, it sits exactly between them-less compression than 90mm, less environmental inclusion than 50mm. You get optical truth and natural perspective without flattening the face or pulling too much room into the frame.

What's the 6-bit coding for?

It lets M-bodies read the lens data for EXIF tagging and automatic vignetting/distortion correction in raw processing. Manual focus lenses still benefit from proper lens identification on digital bodies.

Does this lens have a built-in hood?

Yes, it has an extendable lens hood to shield the front element. The 49mm filter thread also accepts standard screw-on filters.