The 80 mm ‘lux mounted on the M makes for a relatively large and heavy package (by M standards). The 80 mm Summilux—R weighs in at 694 gr compared to the 560 gr of the 75 Summilux—M. The 80 R will let you focus down to a tad under 32″. The 75 M will actually get you a little closer at 29″ – though when you consider the focal length difference it really becomes six of one and half a dozen of the other. At some point I need to do a side by side comparison of these two ‘lux lenses to discover if there’s any significant difference between their signatures; ease of focus; or any other distinctions to take note of — or are they nearly identical twins?
Of course the smooth transition from in-focus to out-of-focus areas, at virtually any f:stop, defines these classic Leitz Summilux lenses.
(click photograph for larger view)
I always carried the Apo 2X Extender with my R cameras because it’s a small, light accessory which gives significant reach to whatever lenses I may be carrying. So, since using the M with R lenses, I’ve done the same. You’ve seen some examples of using the extender with the 60 mm Macro Elmarit. Below are a couple examples using the 2X with the 80 ‘lux — essentially turning it into a 160 mm f:2.8 (wide open). The first with lens set around f:2.8 (effectively 5.6 with 2X). The second with lens set at f:5.6 (effectively 11 with 2X).
Leica M, 80 mm Summilux—R