Leitz Cine has expanded their popular HUGO line of cinema lenses with three new additions: the 66 mm T2.1, 75 mm T2.1, and 90 mm T2.1. These new lenses, part of the newly dubbed HUGO II series, join the existing 10 focal lengths in the HUGO lineup, bringing more versatility and options to the highly respected lens family. Let’s take a closer look at these new additions and how they stack up against their faster predecessors.
New Focal Lengths and Slower Aperture
The most significant update with the HUGO II lenses is the slower T2.1 aperture, compared to the original T1.5 primes. While they lose a stop of light, the trade-off comes in the form of more compact and lighter lenses, particularly with the 75 mm and 90 mm focal lengths. For users who need to keep their rig nimble without sacrificing image quality, this is a clear advantage.
The 66 mm T2.1 stands out as the most unique of the three new lenses. Its design is based on the “spy lens” created by Leica lens designer Walter Mandler during the Cold War for the US Navy. Originally built for ultra-high-resolution imaging and never meant for public use, only around 200 of these lenses were ever produced. Now, with some slight modern modifications, Leitz has revived this historic optic, giving it a new home in the HUGO II series. Although it was considered incredibly sharp in its day, this lens seamlessly matches the character and performance of the other HUGO lenses, blending history with modern cinematography needs.
The 75 mm T2.1 and 90 mm T2.1 fill out the lineup by offering lightweight options in the longer focal lengths, complementing the T1.5 lenses that dominate the original HUGO range. Both of these lenses are derived from the Leica Summicron-M optics, sharing the same DNA but packaged in new housings that allow Leitz to provide full set conversions of the M 0.8 primes into HUGO lenses.
Filling the Gaps in the HUGO Lineup
Perhaps the most strategic addition here is the 66 mm T2.1. Sitting between the 50 mm and 75 mm focal lengths, this lens fills a gap that many filmmakers will appreciate. For those who found the jump from 50 mm to 75 mm too drastic, the 66 mm offers a natural middle ground, ensuring a more balanced set of options when framing shots in varying conditions.
With the 75 mm and 90 mm lenses, the T2.1 aperture allows them to be considerably smaller and lighter than their T1.5 counterparts, making them more practical for handheld or gimbal use, where minimizing weight is key. This design also ensures that these new focal lengths maintain near uniformity with the wider HUGO lenses (18 mm to 50 mm), giving filmmakers more flexibility while maintaining consistent handling.
An Expanded Family of 13 Lenses
With the launch of these three new HUGO II lenses, the complete HUGO line now offers 13 focal lengths ranging from 18 mm to 135 mm. All the lenses in the series are available in LPL or L mount, continuing to provide the versatility and adaptability Leitz is known for.
The addition of the slower T2.1 aperture options doesn’t detract from the core philosophy of the HUGO series: delivering the classic Leica M optics in a format designed specifically for cinema. Instead, the HUGO II primes give cinematographers new tools to shape their visual storytelling, offering a balance of compactness, optical performance, and usability that will appeal to a wide range of projects and shooting styles.
Conclusion
Leitz Cine’s decision to introduce the HUGO II primes reflects their ongoing commitment to pushing the boundaries of cinema lenses while preserving the heritage that has made their optics so revered. Whether you’re a fan of the compact, high-speed performance of the original T1.5 primes or need the flexibility and unique characteristics of the new T2.1 lenses, the expanded HUGO line now offers something for everyone.
With the new lineup of HUGO II lenses, Leitz continues to blur the line between technical precision and artistic expression, ensuring that every cinematographer has the tools they need to capture their creative vision.
As usual, you can find tech specs in the table below (you ARE a lens geek!) You can find more information about the Leitz HUGO II lenses and pre-order them today from Duclos Lenses.
| 66mm | 75mm | 90mm | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Aperture | T2.1 | T2.1 | T2.1 |
| Image Circle (mm) | 43.3 | 43.3 | 43.3 |
| Close Focus (ft) | 2′ | 2’6” | 2’10” |
| Close Focus (m) | 0.6 | 0.75 | 0.85 |
| Weight (lb) | 1.81 | 1.98 | 2 |
| Weight (kg) | 0.82 | 0.9 | 0.91 |
| Length (in / mm) | 3.2” / 82 | 3.2” / 82 | 3.2” / 82 |