{"id":17794,"date":"2019-10-02T15:18:47","date_gmt":"2019-10-02T14:18:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/?p=17794"},"modified":"2024-04-21T13:31:26","modified_gmt":"2024-04-21T12:31:26","slug":"leica-m-summilux-75mm-f1-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/leica-m-summilux-75mm-f1-4\/","title":{"rendered":"Leica M Summilux 75mm f1.4"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Leica M Summilux 75mm f1.4 – Version 2 (Canadian)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Leica 75 Summilux (75 Lux) is legendary. It\u2019s a compact, fast, short telephoto rangefinder lens designed for portrait and shallow depth-of-field photography.\u00a0<\/span>Prices and praise for the 75 Lux haven\u2019t lessened over the years, and it’s said to be one of Walter Mandler’s favorites works. You\u2019ll be hard pressed to find a clean copy for under 3.5k. Let’s dig deeper.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> to see all 75 Lux review photos and others at larger resolution on my flickr album.<\/p>\n

Note 1<\/span>: Throughout the review, FE or Sony 85 means the 85 f1.8, GM 85 refers to the GM 85 f1.4, and the Samyang is the manual focus version unless specified.<\/p>\n

Note 2<\/span>:\u00a0 For a more extensive look at the finer distinctions between the 75 and 80 Summilux, read this<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

Specifications<\/h1>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Focal Length:<\/td>\n75mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
F-stop:<\/td>\n1.4-16<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight:<\/td>\n600g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Aperture Blades:<\/td>\n10 (unrounded)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hood:<\/td>\nPermanent (retractable)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mount:<\/td>\nLeica M<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Internal focus:<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Filter Size:<\/td>\n60mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MFD:<\/td>\n0.8 (will focus closer)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Environmental Sealing:<\/td>\nNone<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Years Produced:<\/td>\n1980-2007<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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75 Lux @ f1.4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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75 Lux @ f2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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75 Lux @ f1.4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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History<\/span><\/h1>\n

You can read more about the somewhat complicated and extended production run (and other intricacies) <\/span>at this link<\/a>.<\/span> The 75 Lux has been out of production for 12 years, and was originally released in 1980. Recently, it has been succeeded by the Leica 75mm f1.25 Noctilux. <\/span>While there is talk of differences in image quality between 75 Lux production runs, I have seen\/know of no official documentation that confirms optical alterations. Given the long production run, it\u2019s very possible there were coating tweaks resulting in slightly different levels of contrast, fringing and flare.\u00a0 <\/span>The 75 Lux has 3 versions and 1 variant:<\/span><\/p>\n