LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M f/2/75 mm ASPH is announced. The LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M f/2/75 mm ASPH lens features a floating element so that it can focus as close as 0.7 meters. The LEICA f/2 75 mm lens will be available in June.

LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M f/2/75 mm ASPH Brochure (PDF)

Leica Press Release

Leica Camera AG, Solms has added a compact medium telephoto to its range of lenses for Leica rangefinder cameras. The LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M f/2/75 mm ASPH. is the first lens of this focal length class to feature a floating element: During focusing, the last lens element change their position in relation to the rest of the optical system. The LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M f/2/75 mm ASPH. is thus able to offer superlative quality in the close-focus range down to 0.7 meters. To take full advantage of the floating element, a highly precise adjustment mechanism has been used, although finding the space for it in a compact M lens was no easy feat!

The extremely natural perspective of the 75mm focal length enables true-to-life rendering of the subject and is useful for many applications ranging from portrait to reportage photography. “True-to-life photographs happen spontaneously – in the daytime and at night, from a distance or at close quarters. The universal LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M f/2/75 mm ASPH. is ideal in these situations. For example, it produces a natural 3D effect in portraits so that the face’s highlights and contours are emphasized without looking artificial. The high-speed LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M f/2/75 mm ASPH. performs just as well in available light situations, too, where use is made of the small amount of natural light, leading to emotional, extremely natural results. The lens’s compact dimensions – the field of view of the 75mm viewfinder frame is not restricted by the lens on the camera – make for excellent handling. Together with a Leica wide-angle lens, the universal LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M f/2/75 mm ASPH. forms a versatile camera outfit,” says Jean-Jacques Viau, Product Manager Photo at Leica Camera AG.

Even at full aperture, the LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M f/2/75 mm ASPH. produces high contrast even of the finest structures. This performance can only be improved slightly by stopping down. Distortion is a mere 1%. The vignetting is normal for high-speed lenses – here up to about 1 stop in the picture corners – is reduced further by stopping down: At f/2.8 it is already negligible apart from the far corners, and at f/5.6 it has disappeared from corners as well. The use of state-of-the-art coating technology and the additional of a new textured matt-finishing to the interior mount guarantees minimum reflections, ensuring natural images at any distance and in any light.

The optical design consists of seven lens elements in five component groups. A homogeneously high imaging performance over the entire image field is achieved by using high-refraction glass types, two with partial anomalous dispersion, one of which originates from the former Leitz glass laboratory.

“Like all Leica lenses, the LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M f/2/75 mm ASPH. was developed by Leica optic specialists. It is a particularly reliable and long-lasting product made of high-quality materials and meticulously assembled by hand at our Solms factory. The combination of state-of-the-art technology and experienced craftsmanship ensures the constant quality of every single Leica lens,” adds Jean-Jacques Viau.

The LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M f/2/75 mm ASPH. comes with a built-in telescopic lens hood as protection against stray light or dirt. It can be locked in position to prevent it being inadvertently pushed in. The well-balanced proportions of the lens encourage hours of comfortable use.

The LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M f/2/75 mm ASPH. will be available at selected Leica dealers from June 2005.