Leica Apo-Summicron-M 75 mm f/2.0 Asph review - Build quality

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Leica Apo-Summicron-M 75 mm f/2.0 Asph

18 June 2010

Arkadiusz Olech

3. Build quality

Although 75 mm lenses have been in Leica’s line-up for years, this focal length value is rather uncharacteristic for other producers - so uncharacteristic that it is very difficult to find lenses with similar parameters to compare the Summicron with them. Fortunately, there is one lens which is very similar to the Leica when it comes to its parameters, style and build quality – we speak here about the Pentax smc FA 77 mm f/1.8 Limited. The following chart shows how these two models compare. We have already tested the Pentax but not at the same time as the Leica so we can’t show these two positioned side by side. Instead, we present the photo in which the Sumicron 2/75 stands between two 50 mm lenses: a fast Summilux on the left and a Summicron 2/50 on the right.

Leica Apo-Summicron-M 75 mm f/2.0 Asph - Build quality

When you take the tested lens into your hand, you feel at once that it is heavy. Leica lenses have this effect – they seem to be armour-plated, like small grenades - heavy, bulky and solid. Nothing but metal of the highest quality and solid blocks of cut glass. The combination of this kind of build quality with the weight, classical look and omnipresent metal really impresses a lot. The physical parameters confirm the impression of significant weight. The Leica is notably heavier than Pentax, which features the same number of elements and is faster.

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The Leica Summicron 2/75 starts with a metal bayonet mount with the characteristic shape for Leica M system. Next, you find depth of field markings for f/16, f/11, f/8, f/4 and f/2 aperture. Above them, we see a comfortable, ribbed manual focus ring which would be difficult to flaw. It moves smoothly and is very well-damped. On the ring there is a distance scale expressed in meters and feet.

Next, there is an aperture ring. It works every 0.5 EV stop and once again its work is beyond reproach. The aperture changes are smooth and well-damped at the same time so altering it by chance would be really difficult. The lens ends with a non-rotating filter thread with a diameter of E49 which is surrounded by a built-in, metal and extendable hood.

Inside the lens we’ll find 7 elements in 5 groups. One element’s surface, in the middle of the system, is aspherical. All of this is complemented by an aperture with eight diaphragm blades which can be closed down to f/16.