Leicaflex / Leica R lenses

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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)

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".

Lens Contruction

Leica manufactured lens bodies were always of all metal construction, plastics or rubber were never used (a very few externally produced lenses had rubber focussing rings) and aperture mechanisms used ball bearings. The lenses were designed to be resistant to physical shock and temperature change. Leica never produced economy lenses, all were made to the same standard making even normal 50mm lenses extremely expensive. The only cost saving ever introduced was manufacturing "R Only" lenses sold with R3 cameras, these lenses merely lacked the earlier sloped cams.

Optical standards were also extremely high, originally using Leica developed and manufactured glass, and coatings were complex and extensive. Both optically (sharpness, colour balance, & flare) and mechanically (collimation, aperture, & plane of focus) the lenses were extremely consistent.

Leica introduced many new designs and constantly improved both maximum aperture and resolution, later lenses of faster aperture would, at full aperture, almost always exceed the optimum performance of the earlier lens at any aperture. For example, the legendary Apo-Telyt-R 1:3.4 180, reckoned to be the finest lens in its day, achieved maximum (exceptional) resolution at 5.6; the later Apo-Telyt-R 1:2.8 200 exceeded this performance at full aperture.

One cam lenses

The Leica reflex lenses were first introduced in 1964 with the original Leicaflex body. Lenses have 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 four original lenses were: 35/2.8, 50/2.0. 90/2.8, 135/2.8. The first series were produced in silver satin chrome until it was realised that light reflecting from the lens could affect the coupled light meter. All subsequent lenses were finished in black chrome.

Two cam lenses

The R lens mount was first modified in 1968 with the addition of a second cam to couple with the new TTL exposure meter of the Leicaflex SL. The Leicaflex SL2 introduced changes to the mirror clearance, especially for wide angle lenses, and a few later lenses must not be used on the earlier models.

With one exception (21/3.4) all one cam lenses can be used with stop down metering on the SL and later cameras. Most two cam lenses can be used on the original Leicaflex.

Three-cam lenses

The introduction of the automated exposure on the Leica R3 brought yet another change. An additional stepped cam was fitted conveying both maximim aperture as well as set aperture.

Apart from the 21/3.4, all one or two cam lenses can be used on the R3 and later cameras with stop down metering. All three cam lenses can be used on the SL2 and, with a few exceptions, on the earlier models.

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 to transmit lens focal length. Like "R Only" lenses these had only the stepped cam and 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.

R lenses

  • 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
  • 21/3.4 Super-Angulon, a special lens that mounts only with the mirror locked up and used with an external viewfinder. Compatible only with the original Leicaflex
  • 21/4 Super-Angulon, replaced the older 21/3.4 and used normally. Retrofocus type made by Schneider
  • 24/2.8 Elmarit-R, same remark as 16/2.8. Glass elements made by Minolta
  • 28/2.8 Elmarit-R
  • 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
  • 50/1.4 Summilux-R
  • 90/2.8 Elmarit-R
  • 135/2.8 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
  • 50/2 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
  • 15/3.5 Super-Elmar-R, made by Zeiss

Apo-Telyt-R module system

In 1996 Leica introduced the very expensive modular telephoto system offering lenses from 2.8 280mm to 5.6 800mm. Comprising two lens heads and three focus modules the system was intended for photographers who wanted the flexibility of different focal lengths without the weight if individual lenses.

The lens heads and focus modules can be used in any combination giving the following prime lenses:

Head Focus Module Lens
1 1 1:2.8 280mm
2 1:4.0 400mm
3 1:5.6 560mm
2 1 1:2.8 400mm
2 1:4.0 560mm
3 1:5.6 800mm

The range is large with overlapping 400mm & 560mm combinations allowing a photographer to have a pair of lenses ready for use. Erwin Puts states "it is evident the the performance of these lenses can only be exploited with a photographic technique of a very high order... The quality of the results justifies the efforts".

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:

In Japanese (with some English):

In French :