Light Lens Lab 75mm f/2 “SP-II” lens for Leica M-mount now in production
I first reported on the new Light Lens Lab 75mm f/2 “SP-II” lens for Leica M-mount back in 2024. A month ago, I published additional detailed informtion ont he new lens.
Previous coverage of LLL lenses can be found here (use coupon code RUMORS for 5% off when you purchase through this link).
Today, Light Lens Lab officially announced the development of the 75mm f/2 “SP-II” lens for Leica M-mount. Pre-orders will open on March first on this page.
The Light Lens Lab 75mm f/2 SP II lens is based on the legendary Cooke Speed Panchro Series II, a classic cinema lens from the 1940s known for its distinctive soft, glowing “Cook look” and dreamlike quality, optimized by LLL for modern full-frame digital sensors while preserving that vintage Hollywood aesthetic:
Specifications:
- Design Frame Coverage: 135 Full Frame (24 × 36 mm)
- Optical Construction: 8 elements in 5 groups
- Focus Range: 0.7 m to infinity
- Diaphragm Type: Preset, half-stop increments
- Aperture Range: f/2 – f/22
- Aperture Blades: 12
- Lens Mount: M-mount quick-change bayonet
- Filter Diameter: E43
- Lens Hood: Integrated hood; compatible with A46 clip-on Reid-style hood
- Length: 73 mm
- Diameter: 54 mm
- Weight: 310 g
- Pricing (excluding taxes and duties):
- USD $749: Aluminum Chrome
- USD $799: Aluminum Black Paint
Additional information on the new lens from Light Lens Lab:
- The 75mm f/2 “SP-II” pays homage to one of the four most celebrated optical schematics of the 1900s: As part of our promise to research the legacy of the optical family “ACDK”, it draws from the optical foundation of the existing 50mm f2 “SP-II”, forming the optical foundation of the “SP-II” lineage.
- The 75mm f/2 “SP-II” follows the established optical philosophy of the SP-II series and employs a classic Double-Gaussian design with achromatic elements to deliver a distinctive vintage rendering while retaining the signature SP-II character, with improved sharpness and detail resolution.
- Wide-open at f/2, the lens produces a highly atmospheric rendering with smooth tonal transitions and naturally rounded out-of-focus areas. When stopped down to f/2.8 and beyond, it transitions to a more clinical clarity, delivering crisp resolution and refined detail across the frame.
- The 75mm f/2 “SP-II” supports digital sensors up to 44 × 33 mm, a significant enhancement over the original optical schematic.
- The lens features a lightweight aluminum alloy construction for durability and portability.
- All mechanical and optical components are designed, manufactured, and hand-assembled in-house, ensuring consistent quality and craftsmanship.
Additional information on the original Cooke Speed Panchro Series II lens:
- History: The original Speed Panchro lenses were the industry standard for Hollywood motion picture production from the 1930s through the 1950s. They were used to shoot films such as Casablanca, The Sound of Music, Psycho, and The Godfather.
- Produced by Taylor, Taylor & Hobson (now Cooke Optics) in Leicester, England.
- Series II: The “Series II” designation refers to the updated versions released in the mid-20th century (specifically the 1940s-50s), which improved upon the original Series I designs.
- Cinema to Stills: While the original was designed for 35mm motion picture film (which is roughly similar in frame size to APS-C/Super 35), the image circle of the 75mm version is large enough to cover full-frame photography sensors (Leica M format), making it a prime candidate for adaptation.
Light Lens Lab will continue expanding the “SP-II” series with several other focal lengths – expect another announcement later in 2026:
- 21mm
- 28mm
- 35mm
- 50mm
- 75mm
- 90mm APO
- 135mm SAPO
Sample photos from the upcoming Light Lens Lab 75mm f/2 SP II lens for Leica M-mount:
Light Lens Lab previously recreated the 50mm f/2 Speed Panchro II in M-mount – see coverage:
Light Lens Lab 50mm f/2 “Rigid” lens for Leica M-mount announced
Light Lens Lab 50mm f/2 Rigid lens for Leica M-mount review
