The Summarit-M 75mm f/2.4 ASPH. ($2,150) is the best of Leica's updated family of entry-level lenses, all of which were announced late last year at Photokina and have recently become available for purchase. It comes in an odd focal length—if you look at the current (and extensive) lineups from Canon and Nikon you won't find a 75mm prime in the bunch, and many older Leica cameras omit 75mm frame lines. But if you have a rangefinder that includes the markings for its field of view, you'll want to take a close look at the Summarit-M 75mm, as it's an absolute gem of a lens. It's sharp from edge to edge even at f/2.4, focuses to 0.7-meter, and is extremely well-built. I'm not a huge fan of the screw-in lens hood—more expensive Leica lenses like the APO-Summicron-M 75mm f/2 ASPH. ($3,795) use built-in hoods—but if you don't frequently use lens filters it's not a major concern. If you're considering a 75mm lens for your Leica system—and if you primarily shoot with a 28mm or 35mm prime it...
The Leica Summarit-M 75mm f/2.4 ASPH. doesn't come in the most common focal length, but it's deadly sharp and quite compact, earning Editors' Choice honors.
Exceedingly sharp; 0.7-meter focus; No distortion; Compact; Solidly built; Includes metal lens hood and cap
Screw-in hood can be a pain