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135MM BAYONET MOUNT LENSES

It is important to note that Leica lenses had their focal lengths specified in millimeters from 1925 to 1928, in centimeters from 1928 to 1970, and again in millimeters from 1971 onwards360.

135mm f/4.5 Hektor-M 

  • Introduced in 1954179
  • designated by code HEFAR-M179
  • Catalog number 11135179
  • Was initially sold for 141 USD179

135mm f/4 Elmar 


  • a four element 4 group lens301
  • designed by Walter Mandler301
  • was produced from 1960 to 1965301
  • Identical to the Hektor in size and appearance301
  • somewhat better wide-open performance than 135mm f/4.5 Hektor-M301
  • Catalog number 11850155
  • Catalog number 98141 for 135mm f/4 Elmar in bayonet mount with separate short mount for Visoflex155
  • Catalog number 11950 for 135mm f/4 Elmar in short focusing mount155
  • Catalog number 11951 for 135mm f/4 Elmar in focusing mount155

135mm f/2.8 Elmarit  (version 1)


  • Has googles194
  • Catalog number 11829194
  • Introduced in 1963, this lens has undergone a few modifications. Initially, the optical formula was updated. Additionally, the "googles," which were originally secured with screws, have been redesigned into a more integrated, heavy-duty casting to help maintain alignment. This lens features a built-in lens hood and is an excellent performer overall. Its only drawback is its substantial size and weight. The 135mm f/2.8 Elmarit remains the only rangefinder lens still available as a catalog item194.
  • The only 135mm lens that works seamlessly with the M8. This is because the lens is keyed to the 90mm frame lines, and the goggles magnify them by a factor of 1.5 to display the field of view of a 135mm lens. Due to its fast aperture and close focusing capabilities, the goggles were considered necessary to ensure accurate focusing281.

135mm f/2.8 Elmarit  (version 2)

  • Need more info – 11829

135mm f/4 Tele-Elmar 


  • In 1965, a new design was introduced: the 135mm f/4 Tele-Elmar, created by Walter Mandler. This lens featured true telephoto construction with five elements arranged in three groups. The focusing ring was moved two inches closer to the camera body for improved balance, and the rotation of the focus ring from infinity to five feet was decreased to just half a turn for quicker adjustments301.
  • One of the most significant improvements was the enhanced contrast and full-frame sharpness available even at the wide-open aperture. From its initial release in 1965 to 1985, it retained a removable lens unit that could be mounted directly onto the OTZFO focusing mount or the standard front adapter ring of the Bellows II301.
  • Produced between 1965 and 1985, this version included the removable lens head. At some point during this production period, the design of the knurling on the focus ring changed from an earlier scalloped style to the current style301.

135mm f/4 Tele-Elmar-M

  • After 1985, demand for 135mm f/4 Tele-Elmar  seemed to surge, possibly due to the sudden popularity of the Leica M6. Consequently, design work began on a new version, 135mm f/4 Tele-Elmar-M, manufactured from 1992 to 1998. While there were no optical changes, this newer model 135mm f/4 Tele-Elmar-M featured a retractable hood, and the aperture ring was positioned closer to the focusing ring for easier access. However, the lens head was no longer removable301.

135mm f/3.4 APO-Telyt-M


  • The new 135mm f/3.4 APO-Telyt-M was introduced in 1998, offering even higher performance at full aperture and improved Apochromatic color correction301.
  • 135mm f/3.4 APO-Telyt-M lens replaced not only the 135mm f/2.8 Elmarit  lens, which had been in production from 1963 to 1997 in two versions (135mm f/2.8 Elmarit  (version 1) and 135mm f/2.8 Elmarit  (version 2)), but also the 135mm f/4 Tele-Elmar-M301.
  • Leica Camera has introduced an improved telephoto lens designed specifically for photographers seeking ultra-crisp images at all apertures with minimal distortion. The 135mm f/3.4 APO-Telyt-M lens features apochromatic correction and offers a medium-telephoto focal length215.
  • This lens delivers excellent contrast, resolution, and color rendering across the entire image field. Its outstanding imaging performance is maintained even at full aperture and close range, while issues like coma, astigmatism, and field curvature are virtually eliminated215.
  • The completely new design is more compact and offers superior image quality compared to its predecessors—the 135mm f/4 Tele-Elmar-M and the 135mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M. A specially developed multiple-layer anti-reflex coating allows the lens to resist stray light effectively. Furthermore, the lens is optimized for handheld use, measuring just 4 inches and weighing 16 ounces, making it easy to handle for steady and straightforward photography215.
  • Users of the M6 0.85 camera will find this lens particularly well-suited due to the camera's 20 percent higher viewfinder magnification. The new 135mm f/3.4 APO-Telyt-M is now available at a suggested retail price of 1995 USD215.