Leicaflex / Leica R lenses
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| Summilux-R 50/1.4 and Summicron-R 35/2 image by Dennis Leonardo (Image rights) |
Leica's series of lenses for single lens reflex cameras are designated R-series lenses and identified by the letter "R" after the lens name. The Leica R-mount is a three lug bayonet mount with a 47mm flange focal distance which has remained substantially unchanged since its introduction in 1964 although the lens aperture coupling mechanism has changed several times as follows:
- One-cam lenses for the original Leicaflex (one sloped cam)
- Two-cam lenses for the Leicaflex SL / SL2 as well as the original Leicaflex (two sloped cams)
- Three-cam lenses for the R3 and later models as well as Leicaflex / SL / SL2 (two sloped cams + stepped cam)
- R only lenses for R3 and later models only (stepped cam only)
- ROM lenses, the last version, for R3 and later models only (stepped cam only + ROM contacts for R8 / R9)
(sloped cams conveyed only selected aperture, stepped cam also conveyed minimum & maximum apertures)
Contents
Leitz Wetzlar, Leitz Canada, Leica Solms
In the early fifties Leitz established a factory in Canada complete with a second optical design department. The rationale seems to have been concerns for the future of post war Europe as well as supplying the very important US market.
The two design departments sometimes competed and must have placed a heavy burden on the company's finances. Most lenses were designed and manufactured in the same location, but a few were designed in one and manufactured in the other. Lenses were marked "LEITZ WETZLAR" or "LEITZ CANADA" according to the country of manufacture.
Around 1990 the Leitz group was sold and restructured, Leitz Canada (ELCAN Ernst Leitz CANada) was sold to Hughes Defence, Leica Camera was formed and relocated to nearby Solms with subsequent Solms made lenses (and cameras) simply marked "LEICA".
One-cam lenses
The Leica reflex lenses were first introduced in 1964 with the original Leicaflex body. The very first lenses are called one-cam lenses, as they feature one cam on the rear of the lens mount to communicate aperture opening information to the coupled external light meter of the original Leicaflex camera.
The following lenses were introduced in the single cam configuration during the production of the original Leicaflex:
- 21/3.4 Super-Angulon, a special lens that mounts only with the mirror up, and is used with an external viewfinder. It is only compatible with the original Leicaflex body.
- 35/2.8 Elmarit-R, the very first ones were in chrome finish
- 50/2 Summicron-R, the very first ones were in chrome finish
- 90/2.8 Elmarit-R
- 135/2.8 Elmarit-R
Two-cam lenses
The R lens mount was first modified in 1968 with the addition of a second cam to transmit information from the lens to the body, to operate the new TTL exposure meter of the Leicaflex SL. The lenses are now called two-cams.
Here is a list of the two-cam lenses, from the time of the Leicaflex SL and SL2. They can mount on an original Leicaflex with full operation unless noted.
- 16/2.8 Elmarit-R fisheye, can only mount on the Leicaflex SL2 and later, interferes with the mirror movement on the earlier bodies
- 19/2.8 Elmarit-R
- 21/4 Super-Angulon, replaces the older 21/3.4, operates normally, retrofocus type. Made by Schneider
- 24/2.8 Elmarit-R, same remark as 16/2.8
- 28/2.8 Elmarit-R
- 35/2 Summicron-R
- 35/2.8 Elmarit-R
- 35/4 PA Curtagon shift lens made by Schneider, no diaphragm coupling at all
- 50/1.4 Summilux-R
- 50/2 Summicron-R, there was a dummy (Attrappe) version with no serial number
- 60/2.8 Macro-Elmarit-R
- 90/2 Summicron-R
- 90/2.8 Elmarit-R
- 100/4 Macro-Elmar-R, for bellows only, no diaphragm coupling at all
- 135/2.8 Elmarit-R
- 180/2.8 Elmarit-R
- 250/4 Telyt-R
- 45-90/2.8 Zoom lens made by Angénieux
- 80-200/4.5 Vario-Elmar, same remark as 16/2.8 and 24/2.8
Three-cam lenses
The introduction of the automated exposure on the Leica R3 forced a new change in the lens cams. These lenses are called three-cam with an additional stepped cam conveying both maximim aperture as well as set aperture.
Here is a list of three-cam lenses, in the first style without the focal length engraved on the barrel:
Here is a list of three-can lenses, in the later style with the focal length engraved on the barrel:
R only lenses
From the R3 introduction Leica produced some lenses, particularly those sold with a camera, as "R Only" fitted with the stepped cam alone and neither of the earlier sloped cams. A very small change was made to the bayonet so that these lenses will not fit the earlier Leicaflex cameras. They are marked "FOR LEICA R ONLY" on the lens barrel and comprised 50mm and a few zoom lenses.
ROM lenses
The electric data transmission between body and lens introduced with the Leica R8 meant that new lenses were released with ROM contacts. Like "R Only" lenses these had only the stepped cam and a small modification to the bayonet so that they will not fit Leicaflex cameras.
Elcan lenses
Ernst Leitz Canada made special military lenses at the time of the Leicaflex SL, called ELCAN:
- Elcan-R 75mm f/2
- Elcan-R 180mm f/3.4
- Elcan-R 450mm f/5.6
See this informative post at a Leica forum.
Lens accessories
- Adapter to mount the lenses for the Visoflex III:
- 14127, for the original Leicaflex
- 14127*, for the original Leicaflex and the later bodies
- 14167, for the later bodies
- Fast focusing grip Televit-R, for the 400/5.6 and 560/5.6 Telyt heads
- Set of extension rings, for close-ups until 1:1 with the Summicron-R 50/2
- Close-up lenses Elpro (first called Macrotar)
- Bellows
- 2x Extender, separate models for Leicaflex and for R bodies
- 2x APO Extender for R bodies, non-ROM models may be modified to fit Leicaflex SL2
- 1.4x APO Extender for R bodies, may be modified to fit all Leicaflexes
Links
In English:
- Leica R Lens Price & Information Guide
- Leica Lenses Price Guide at collectiblend
In Japanese (with some English):
In French :
