The Light Lens Lab 75mm f/1.5 Z21 Is the Portrait Lens Leica M Shooters Have Been Waiting For

Light Lens Lab has announced the 75mm f/1.5 Z21, the second lens in its growing Z21 series. Unlike most of the company’s previous releases, this one isn’t an homage to a classic optical formula. It’s an entirely original design, built from the ground up using Light Lens Lab’s own research. It’s aimed squarely at Leica M shooters and medium format users. And judging from the sample photos, this might be the portrait lens you were looking for.

[Related Reading: Light Lens Lab releases a new retro-style 50mm F/2 “Rigid-SPII”]

The 75mm f/1.5 Z21 carries over the Double-Gaussian optical foundation from the 50mm and the hallmarks that defined that lens: tonal separation, smooth out-of-focus transitions, and what Light Lens Lab calls “controlled optical imperfection.” In practice, that means you’re not getting a clinically perfect lens, but it sure has lots of character (and I mean that in the best way possible).

Light Lens Lab says the 75mm improves on its predecessor in a few meaningful ways, including better corner sharpness and improved edge-to-edge consistency. It also covers 44×33mm sensors, which means it pairs well with medium format bodies like the Fujifilm GFX system via an adapter. This means it expands the potential buyer pool beyond Leica M users.

The optical construction includes a lanthanide-infused element, which is part of how the Z21 series achieves its particular rendering quality. The body is aluminum alloy and hand-assembled in-house. It’s not a small lens: it weighs 454g and is 71mm long. But for a fast 75mm, that’s pretty reasonable.

Light Lens Lab 75mm f/1.5 Z21 Specs

Specification	Details
Lens Mount	M-Mount quick-change bayonet
Optical Design	6 elements in 4 groups
Design Frame Coverage	135 Full Frame, 24 × 36 mm
Minimum Focusing Distance	1 m
Focus Range	1 m to infinity
Aperture Range	f/1.5–f/22
Aperture Blades	10
Filter Diameter	E55
Lens Hood	E55 screw-on type
Length	Approx. 71 mm
Diameter	Approx. 63.5 mm
Weight	Approx. 454 g, without accessories

Pricing And Availability

The Light Lens Lab 75mm f/1.5 Z21 is priced at $999 and available in Matte Black. Preorders are open as of today, June 5, 2026, with shipping expected to begin on June 30, 2026.

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