"The LEICA SUMMARIT-M 1:2.5/75 mm is a new “short telephoto” lens that is significantly smaller and lighter than Summicron lenses with the same focal length, but still offers the image quality that is the hallmark of Leica M lenses. Combined with the 35mm Summarit-M, it makes up an ideal shooting outfit with a useful lens speed that opens up fascinating composition options for Leica M photographers.

The ultra-compact “short telephoto” lens, the 75 mm Summarit-M replaces the portrait focal lengths of 90 –100 mm for digital use. Its exceptionally compact design and performance bring a new level of flexibility to rangefinder photography. Leica's concentration on the essential elements, including the features, is now an alternative for more serious photographers.

All Summarit-M lenses are shipped in velour pouches, with metal lens caps for the front and back. In addition high-quality solid metal sun hoods are available as accessories.
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    "The brand new Leica Summarit-M 75mm f2.5 is a lens certain to win ample praise from new and old users of Leica M rangefinder cameras and lenses. This relatively inexpensive (relatively inexpensive for Leica, that is) lens is a cheaper alternative to the 75mm Summicron ASPH. Much to my amazement, it is almost as fine a performer wide open at f2.5 as its older, more expensive, Summicron ASPH sibling, and definitely rivals the latter's performance at least by f5.6. Like the other Summarits, it possesses a 6 element, four group lens design consisting primarily of special glass with partial anomalous dispersion (four elements); there are two other elements comprised of high index glass. Hence it ought to be quite desirable to those who want a Leica 75mm lens, but are unwilling to pay more than $2,000 for its Summicron (f2) sibling in brand new or mint condition. I greatly enjoyed handling it at this year's Photo Plus East, and realized that it would be a fine compact traveling companion for either my Leica M4 or M6 rangefinder cameras.

How is this lens as an image maker? Judging from the sample photographs I saw at Photo Plus East, I'd say that it is truly a lens capable of spectacular results. These pictures offered more contrast, as well as the high resolution that I've come to expect from the latest generation of Leica's M-mount rangefinder lenses. If there is one slight sour gripe that I must express about this lens, then it's the regrettable fact that its lens hood must be purchased separately (This is also true for the other Summarit lenses too.). Otherwise, I think anyone who appreciates a compact Leica 75mm lens (Users of the Leica M8 should note that this lens' equivalent focal length is approximately 90mm.) will be interested in adding this Summarit lens to their kit, either as their primary 75mm lens, or as a "back-up" to their Summicron lens.
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