REVIEWS - Leica 75mm F1.4 Summilux-M

OVERVIEW

Introduced in 1980, there are three versions of the Leica 75mm F1.4 Summilux-M. All versions share the same optical design; the (published) differences are in the barrel construction and hood type:

• 11814:  Introduced in 1980, 58mm front filter thread, separate lens hood, 1 meter minimum focus distance and weighs 490 grams.
• 11815:  Introduced in 1982, replacing the 11814. Updated with a 60mm front filter thread, built-in sliding hood, .75 meter minim focus distance, weighs 600 grams and made in Canada.
• 11810:  Introduced in 1998, replacing the 11815. Weight reduced to 560 grams, made in Germany and shipped in the black & silver Leica box. Discontinued in 2007.

The Leica 75mm F1.4 Summilux-M’s optical design is a derivative of the Leica 50mm Noctilux-M of the time. Dr. Mandler is generally considered as placing a high value on a lens’ character - how it draws a scene. Common performance traits amongst his lenses are smooth bokeh and the Leica glow. The 75mm Summilux is said to be Dr. Walter Mandler’s favorite lens.

Dr. Karbe’s lenses are well known for their resolving capabilities and optical corrections. Some would say in his quest for technical exactness, Dr. Karbe is willing forsake optical aesthetics - some insights from a 2008 interview.

At the risk of radically over simplifying things, if you are a Mandler fan, then you will probably like the 75mm Summilux. If you are a Karbe fan, then the 75mm Summilux will likely disappoint. I am not a Mandler fan...

PERFORMANCE

Just as there are different optical design philosophies, the 75mm Summilux-M has several personalities as well. Shot at F1.4 the lens is soft, but exhibits the Leica glow many Leica fans seek. At F2-F2.8 the 75mm Summilux-M sharpens up, but still retains a pleasing bokeh. At F5.6-F8 the 75mm Summilux-M is very sharp and easily out-resolves the Leica M-240’s 24 megapixel sensor.

I tend to shy away from F1.4 because the 75mm Summilux-M is not very sharp at this aperture. Instead there is a “zone” where things look sort of in focus, but they could also be considered out of focus. I have owned three 75mm Summilux’s over the years and this wide open softness has been typical of all three. F2.8 tends to be the sweet spot. The subject area is sharp, there is adequate DOF for a portrait, and the bokeh still has a pleasing Mandler look. On the downside there is color fringing in the bokeh - which is a common trait amongst Mandler lenses such as the 90mm Summicron-M pre APO and 135mm Tele Elmar M.

Unfortunately the Leica 75mm Summilux does exhibit moderate focus shift. Focus shift is an optical phenomenon where the plane of focus shifts backwards (away from the shooter) as the lens is stopped down. Sometimes the increased depth of field (from stopping down the aperture) masks focus shift, but at closer focus distances, usually not. All lenses exhibit some degree of focus shift - some more so than others. Using the EVF on the Leica M-240 can mitigate focus shift if focusing at the selected aperture. With my current 75mm Summilux, it appears lens is calibrated for F1.4. As the lens is stopped down, notice how the plane of focus shifts backwards:

Leica 75mm F1.4 Summilux-M Focus Shift Example

While this degree of focus shift may not look too bad, consider if shooting at distance of 10-15 feet - the focus plane would be 6 to 12 inches behind the subject. Instead of having the lens calibrated for F1.4, I would prefer the lens be optimized for F2.8 at 12 feet since that is a typical distance for my portrait pictures.

CONCLUSION

If anyone can justify buying a lens, it’s me... That said, if a lens is unpredictable and I have another lens that is predictable (with its focus), the balance swings in favor of the predictable lens. Focus shift makes the 75mm Summilux a bit of a guessing game. Also, the 75mm Summilux-M is a heavy lens, so I rarely carry it when heading out for the day. And when I do use it, the F1.4 softness and magenta & green color fringing in the bokeh are frustrating.

I did not use the 75mm Summilux often enough to be in-sync with its nuances, and frankly, its "nuances" out weighed its worth for me. If wanting a Leica 75mm Summilux-M for its wide open performance, then the lens is better suited on a Sony A7rIV or Leica SL2. I much prefer the Leica 75mm F2 Summicron-M APO over the Summilux. For more on the 75mm APO, check out the Leica 75mm F2 Summicron-M APO review.

For the utmost in wide open sharpness in a super-fast M lens, the Leica 75mm F1.25 Noctilux-M ASPH puts the 75mm Summilux to shame. But the 75mm Noctilux comes at a very steep price and is very heavy, but its wide open performance is indeed excellent. I briefly owned the 75mm Noctilux was thoroughly impressed, but eventually sold it due to its size and weight. That said, it is a lens I would like to have again someday.