66MM BAYONET MOUNT LENSES

66mm f/2 ELCAN

66mm f/2 ELCAN lens was developed using optical formula C283⁵³³. This extremely rare lens was developed circa 1970s by Ernst Leitz Canada for the U.S. Navy³⁷⁹. According to some literature, it was used by North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) during the Cold War³⁹¹. It was designed by Walter Mandler for ultra-high resolution and comprised of 9 glass elements in a robust, compact housing³⁷⁹. It was believed that less than 200 lenses were made³⁸⁶. 

The original blueprint (drawing number C42-88.02-A1) of the lens was dated March 13, 1970, and was auctioned off at the 47th Leitz Photographica Auction⁵³³. Interestingly, another blueprint, also with drawing number C42-88.02-A1, was dated March 9, 1987 and was auctioned off at the 46th Leitz Photographica Auction³⁷⁷. 

Some lenses had red, while others had yellow feet scale³⁷⁷. 

Some lenses were engraved with VH engraving, which was was believed to carry military significance, according to James L. Lager. 

Among the known lenses were:

• 183-0001 (without VH number), illustrated in James L. Lager's "Leica: An Illustrated History - Volume 2 - Lenses - Signed Deluxe Limited Edition". James L. Lager believed that this was the first lens in the series. It was featured in Dr. Andreas Kaufmann's Instagram post on September 6, 2026. Note that the serial number started with 183 and not 283.
• 183-0003 (without VH number), was illustrated in Bellamy Hunt's "THE LEICA ELCAN 66MM" article published on December 30, 2012. Note that the serial number started with 183 and not 283. It was part of a prominent Hong Kongese collection in September of 2026.
• 183-0004 (without VH number), was auctioned off at the 35th Leitz Photographica Auction. Note that the serial number started with 183 and not 283. It was part of a prominent Hong Kongese collection in September of 2026.
• 283-0003 (VH6760-168-3240), illustrated in James L. Lager's "Leica: An Illustrated History - Volume 2 - Lenses - Signed Deluxe Limited Edition". This lens was auctioned off at the L&H Auction on May 3, 2014.
• 283-0004 (VH6760-168-3240), was auctioned off at the OstLicht Auctions on June 5, 2024.
• 283-0005 (VH6760-168-3240), originally belonged to Bryan White, then it was illustrated in Rolf Fricke's "AN OPTICAL ODYSSEY" article in Viewfinder Volume 42, Number 3, 2009. The lens was believed to be part of Leica Archive since 2014.
• 283-0008 (VH6760-168-3240), was illustrated in @cardinalcameraused Instagram post in June of 2020, and, months later, was auctioned off at the 37th Leitz Photographica Auction.
• 283-0010 (VH6760-168-3240), was auctioned off at the Wetzlar Camera Auctions on Oct 12, 2024. Previously it had been part of Theodor Heinrichsohn's collection. He originally bought it in Japan.
• 283-0013 (VH6760-168-3240), illustrated in Mr. Lars Netopil's "Rare Leica" book in 2014⁵⁹⁴
• 283-0018 (VH6760-168-3240), was part of a prominent Hong Kongese collection in September of 2026.
• 283-0022 (VH6760-168-3240), was auctioned off at an American auction on November 18, 2023.
• 283-0025 (VH6760-168-3240), was auctioned off at the 20th WestLicht Photographica Auction.
• 283-0028 (VH6760-168-3240), was auctioned off at the 32nd, 34th and 44th Leitz Photographica Auctions. It was part of a Chinese collection in August of 2017.
• 283-0030 (VH6760-168-3240), was offered for sale at Arsenal Photo at some point in time

Existence of 5 prototype extenders (x1.68 magnification) for 66mm f/2 ELCAN lens was known³⁸². Some of the examples were:

• 393-0002, that was auctioned off at the 41st Leitz Photographica Auction.
• 393-0003, that was auctioned off at the 33rd Leitz Photographica Auction.