135MM SCREW MOUNT LENSES



135mm f/4.5 Elmar 

The 135mm f/4.5 Elmar lens was introduced in 1931360. It was the third commercially produced lens for Leica cameras, following the 50mm f/3.5 Elmar and 50mm f/2.5 Hektor lenses360. Notably, it was the first non-50mm lens made for Leica360. 

This lens had a standard four-element design, with the rear two elements cemented together360. Although the 135mm f/4.5 Elmar was a new addition to the Leica lineup, some Leica historians argued that the long-focus Elmar was not entirely new in design175. According to these historians, the optical design of the non-coupled 135mm f/4.5 Elmar lens predated the Leica camera itself, and was created by Professor Max Berek in the mid-1920s175. It was initially designed as the standard lens for a 9x12cm plate film camera and was later adapted for use as a long-focus lens on the Leica I Model C175. Consequently, the 135mm f/4.5 Elmar was classified as a long-focus lens for plate cameras (as opposed to "telephoto"), later fitted with a focusing mount featuring a male Leica thread360.

Several variants of the 135mm f/4.5 Elmar were produced360:

  • Variant 1: Uncoupled, non-standardized, with a three-digit compatibility number; available in black and nickel finish360. This variant included a double aperture scale, which is necessary due to the rotating mount that allows for aperture reading from various positions360. The tube connecting just below the depth-of-focus scale had a "butt joint"294. 135mm f/4.5 Elmar in non-coupled mount was identified by code EFERN in the 1931 Ernst Leitz catalogs for Wetzlar and London and by code LEDUP in the the 1931 Ernst Leitz, New York catalog175. This led to a unique situation where one product was identified by two different codes175. Early Leitz advertising described the image angle of the EFERN/LEDUP lens as 19 degrees while also stating that it could cover a full 60 degrees175. This discrepancy was unusual and somewhat confusing175. An explanation for the two image angles could be found in a 1931 Ernst Leitz catalog, which stated: "The image angle of the 13.5 cm lens as utilized for Leica negatives is 19 degrees. The full angle of which this lens is capable exceeds 60 degrees."175
  • Variant 2: Standardized mount (marked with the symbol §), uncoupled and unnumbered; available in black and nickel finish360. This variant included a double aperture scale, which is necessary due to the rotating mount that allows for aperture reading from various positions360. The tube connecting just below the depth-of-focus scale had a "butt joint"294. Additionally, this version had a tripod bush positioned at the centre of gravity of the combined camera and lens unit360. 135mm f/4.5 Elmar in non-coupled mount was identified by code EFERN in the 1931 Ernst Leitz catalogs for Wetzlar and London and by code LEDUP in the the 1931 Ernst Leitz, New York catalog175. This led to a unique situation where one product was identified by two different codes175. Early Leitz advertising described the image angle of the EFERN/LEDUP lens as 19 degrees while also stating that it could cover a full 60 degrees175. This discrepancy was unusual and somewhat confusing175. An explanation for the two image angles could be found in a 1931 Ernst Leitz catalog, which stated: "The image angle of the 13.5 cm lens as utilized for Leica negatives is 19 degrees. The full angle of which this lens is capable exceeds 60 degrees."175
  • Variant 3: Standardized mount (marked with the symbol), coupled and unnumbered; available in black and nickel finish360. This variant included a double aperture scale, which is necessary due to the rotating mount that allows for aperture reading from various positions360. The tube connecting just below the depth-of-focus scale had a "rolled lip"294. Additionally, this version had a tripod bush positioned at the centre of gravity of the combined camera and lens unit360. The situation with EFERN/LEDUP codes for the same lens was rectified by the time the new Leica II Model D was listed in the 1932 catalogs175. Wetzlar, London and New York catalogs then referred to the rangefinder-coupled 135mm f/4.5 Elmar with the code EFERNKUP175.
  • Variant 4: Standardized mount, coupled and numbered; available in black and nickel finish360. This variant included a double aperture scale, which is necessary due to the rotating mount that allows for aperture reading from various positions360. The tube connecting just below the depth-of-focus scale had a "rolled lip"294. Additionally, this version had a tripod bush positioned at the centre of gravity of the combined camera and lens unit360. The situation with EFERN/LEDUP codes for the same lens was rectified by the time the new Leica II Model D was listed in the 1932 catalogs175. Wetzlar, London and New York catalogs then referred to the rangefinder-coupled 135mm f/4.5 Elmar with the code EFERNKUP175.
  • Variant 5: Standardized mount, coupled and numbered, with infra-red markings on the aperture scale; available in black and chrome finish360. This variant included a double aperture scale, which is necessary due to the rotating mount that allows for aperture reading from various positions360. The tube connecting just below the depth-of-focus scale had a "rolled lip"294. Additionally, this version had a tripod bush positioned at the centre of gravity of the combined camera and lens unit360. The situation with EFERN/LEDUP codes for the same lens was rectified by the time the new Leica II Model D was listed in the 1932 catalogs175. Wetzlar, London and New York catalogs then referred to the rangefinder-coupled 135mm f/4.5 Elmar with the code EFERNKUP175.

Many early variants were returned for upgrading later542.

Design

One notable change occurred either during the prototype stage or early in production, resulting in the "sleeved" version175. This sleeved design simplified the engraving and alignment processes for assembling and calibrating the focusing mount, and it was likely implemented for that reason175. This design feature became common across virtually all thread mount, bayonet mount, and Visoflex lenses introduced by Leitz between 1931 and 1961 that had a focal length greater than 50mm175. Also, the earliest models did not feature a tripod mount, which was included in later versions294. 


Accessories

Viewfinders that were available to be used with this lens were VISOR and VIDOM542.

FIKUS was the lens hood recommended to be used with this lens542.


Closing Remarks

The 135mm f/4.5 Elmar was produced from 1931 until 1936, and over 5,000 units were manufactured360. One other source claimed that in 1936, the 135mm f/4.5 Elmar was discontinued with only about 5259 units produced294. According to Helmut Lagler, however, there were 15253 lenses made between 1931 and 1933, with serial numbers ranging from 100111 through 176350439.

Despite its significance, the 135mm f/4.5 Elmar was commercially unsuccessful175. It struggled with poor color correction and failed to meet the demands of 35mm photography175. Lastly, it is interesting to note that the 135mm f/4.5 Elmar was listed in Ernst Leitz, New York catalogs for several years after the announcement of its replacement in 1932175. Both the 135mm f/4.5 Elmar and the 13.5cm f/4.5 Hektor were available simultaneously until mid-1936175. The last catalog listing for the 135mm f/4.5 Elmar appeared in catalog number 1244, dated May 1936175.


13.5cm f/4.5 Hektor 

In his "Geburtstage der Leitz-Foto-Konstruktionen ab 1927" book, Wilhelm Albert dated the "birthday" of uncoupled variant of 13.5cm f/4.5 Hektor lens ("Objektiv Hektor 13,5 cm 1:4,5 ohne E.-Kupplung") as July 12, 1929, and noted himself and Oskar Barnack as designers573. The coupled variant of this lens ("Objektiv Hektor 13,5 cm 1:4,5 mit E.-Kupplung (Stoßstange)") in the same source was dated as July 17, 1932, with Wilhelm Albert and Oskar Barnack indicated as designers573

The 13.5cm f/4.5 Hektor succeeded the 135mm f/4.5 Elmar of 1931301. Introduced in 1933 (or 1932, with serial number 112789439), the 13.5cm f/4.5 Hektor lens (code-named HEFAR259) remained in production until late 1960, when it was replaced by the bayonet-mount 135mm f/4 Elmar360. However, unlike the screw-mount 135mm f/4.5 Elmar, the 13.5cm f/4.5 Hektor had enhanced colour correction and resolution294. It was composed of four glass elements, featuring a central cemented pair360. Due to these improvements, the 13.5cm f/4.5 Hektor was offered at a higher price294. By the following year, it had outsold the 135mm f/4.5 Elmar by a ratio of more than 4 to 1294. 

Starting from serial number 141600, the filter mount was non-rotating and has an E39 front360. From serial number 590551, which was produced in January 1 (or 21461),  1946, the lens came factory-coated19. With a total production exceeding 70000 units, the lens was available in various variants360:

  • Variant 1 had a coupled mount; had a serial number; finished in black and nickel360.  
  • Variant 2 had a coupled mount; had a serial number; finished in black and chrome360.  
  • Variant 3 had a coupled mount; had a serial number; finished in black and chrome, with infrared markings on the aperture scale360.  
  • Variant 4 featured a deep, sunk mount; finished in black and chrome360.  
  • Variant 5 included a large front that accepted filters designed for the 5cm f/2 Summitar; finished in black and chrome360.  
  • Variant 6 was a post-war model: lightweight design with an A36 filter mount; finished in all-black and factory-coated360. A report from October 11, 1945, indicated that Wilhelm Albert enhanced the design of the 135mm f/4.5 Hektor lens by adding features such as an internal differential worm gear, among others364.
  • Variant 7 had a lightweight construction; features a factory-coated A36 filter mount; finished in all chrome with a black vulcanite band360. Development of this variant was indicated in the report from 1946364. Wilhelm Albert also worked on the development of this lens in aluminum with chrome coating, resulting in weight saving of 135 grams364.
  • Variant 8 had a non-rotating lens mount;  finished in all chrome, but came with an E39 filter mount360. In his "Geburtstage der Leitz-Foto-Konstruktionen ab 1927" book, Wilhelm Albert dated the "birthday" of this variant ("Objektiv Hektor f=13,5 cm mit Geradführung und Blendenrastung") as January 24, 1952, and noted Werner Schlapp as designer573. Prototype no. 000000 was illustrated on page 142 of the same book573. Another known prototype (no. 0000370) was known to exist360. The variant was also available with a bayonet mount360. 
  • Variant 9 was a short lens head (with click-stopped aperture settings) designed for use with the Visoflex360.  


Covered with sharkskin

13.5cm f/4.5 Hektor lens could be found in either chrome or black finish with sharkskin trim188. Lenses with sharkskin trim on the focusing mount were rare188 and made between 1948-1951 in limited numbers259.


Military

In 1940, 99 13.5cm f/4.5 Hektor lenses, with serial numbers ranging from 538784 through 539483, were delivered to the German military organizations364.

In 1941, 88 13.5cm f/4.5 Hektor lenses, with serial numbers ranging from 538927 through 575250, were delivered to the German military organizations364.

In 1943, 25 13.5cm f/4.5 Hektor lenses, with serial numbers ranging from 539597 through 576021, were delivered to the German military organizations364.

Black paint finished 13.5cm f/4.5 Hektor lenses

Some known examples in black paint finished lenses for military included:

  • 486197, dated 1939, engraved with "MF.33", Reichsadler and Hakenkreuz, delivered to Berlinon on September 6, 1939, part of delivery number 31604
  • 538536, dated 1940, engraved with Reichsadler M and MF631, delivered to Berlin on May 9, 1940, part of delivery number 9291
  • 539270, dated 1940, engraved with "Luftwaffen-Eigentum", delivered to Schwerin on November 11, 1940, part of delivery number 19479
  • 539329, dated 1940, engraved "Luftwaffen-Eigentum", delivered to Berlin on November 19, 1940, part of delivery number 19482
  • 539783, dated 1941, engraved "W.H.", delivered to Berlin on March 3, 1941, part of delivery number 22194
  • 558167, dated 1940, engraved "Luftwaffen-Eigentum", delivered to Berlin on May 16, 1941, part of delivery number 25191
  • 558392, dated 1941, engraved "Heer", delivered to Berlin on August 22, 1941, part of delivery number 25483
  • 558496, dated 1940, engraved "Luftwaffen-Eigentum", delivered to Berlin on August 2, 1941, part of delivery number 25808
  • 558620, dated 1940, engraved M and Hakenkreuz, Reichsadler, and M680, delivered to Berlin on November 4, 1941, part of delivery number 35979
  • 575831, shipped August 1944, engraved "W.haven" and Reichsadler, delivered to 'Meyer Wilhelmshaven 29570' on May 16, 1942


Grey paint finished 13.5cm f/4.5 Hektor lenses

It was known that during August and September 1944, Leitz Wetzlar shipped the 13.5cm f/4.5 Hektor to Berlin324. At least four shipments were recorded in the delivery ledgers preserved in the Leica Germany archive324. The examples from 1944 featured grey-painted focusing mounts paired with black lacquered lens heads324. The records do not specify the finish of these lenses324. An earlier shipment from September 1941, in the 558XXX range, is noted as “grau” (grey)324. Thus, there existed grey paint finished 13.5cm f/4.5 Hektor lenses324. It was reasonable to speculate that most of the grey samples were lost or destroyed as World War II drew to a close324.

Some known examples in grey paint finished lenses military included:

  • The lens number 558608 finished in grey paint 
  • The lens number 558630 finished in grey paint was illustrated in Mr. Lars Netopil's "Rare Leica" book in 2014594. 
  • The lens number 558632 finished in grey paint was sold for 28800 Euros including buyer's premium at the 39th Leitz Photographica Auction on November 20, 2021, with the following description: "Extremely rare original military HEFAR with grey painted focusing mount (matching the special grey IIIc K Leicas), delivered to BLN Berlin on 04.09.1944..." 384.
  • The lens number 558683 was finished in grey paint
  • 558803, dated September 1944, was illustrated in Viewfinder magazine, Volume 52, Issue 4. It was a black lens in grey mount324.
  • The lens number 558827 finished in grey paint was sold for 54000 Euros including buyer's premium at the 46th Leitz Photographica Auction on June 27, 2025, with the following description: "Extremely rare original military HEFAR lens with grey-painted focusing mount (matching the special grey IIIc K Leicas), delivered to BLN Berlin on 20.09.1944. It is estimated that only about 90 of these special lenses were produced, including examples not specified in Leica's delivery records..." 377. It was was illustrated in Viewfinder magazine, Volume 52, Issue 4.
  • 558932, dated September 1944, was illustrated in Viewfinder magazine, Volume 52, Issue 4324 and in Mr. Lars Netopil's "Rare Leica" book in 2014594.
  • 575211, dated September 1944, was illustrated in Viewfinder magazine, Volume 52, Issue 4324.
  • The lens number 575601 finished in grey paint, delivered to Berlin on January 6, 1945, part of delivery number 13099
  • The lens number 576007, dated 1941, was owned by Fred A. Diehl III in between 1986 until at least 1989 and described in Viewfinder Volume 21, No 4, 1989. This lens featured black focusing ring, but otherwise was grey.
  • The lens number 576050 dated 1944 finished in grey paint was sold for 65000 Euros including buyer's premium at the 5th Wetzlar Camera Auction on October 7, 2023424. The lot was described as "Only about 30 units of the gray HEFAR are recorded in the Leitz delivery records. In addition, individual small deliveries of gray painted lenses have been made, the total number of which should hardly be more than 90. The lens offered here was delivered to Berlin on September 20th 1944, with shipment number 9378. The serial number also noted in pencil on the inside of the helicoid."424. Before that, it was sold for 6400 dollars in 1990-1991 at the Special-Leica-Auction of Auktionshaus Cornwall in Cologne (see page 39 1/1991 Leica Fotografie).
  • The lens number 576071 finished in grey paint was sold for 4800 Euros including buyer's premium at the 32nd WestLicht Camera Auction on March 10, 2018391. 
  • The lens number 576078 finished in grey paint was sold for 7800 Euros including buyer's premium at the 14th WestLicht Camera Auction on November 30, 2008410.
  • 576111 was illustrated in Viewfinder magazine, number 4 of 1983324. 


135mm f/4 Elmar 

Introduced at Photokina in 1960, the four-element screw-mount 135mm f/4 Elmar lens (catalogue number 11750) provided better performance than its predecessor, the 13.5cm f/4.5 Hektor542. Enhanced with rare earth optical glass and air-spaced elements, this lens improved colour correction, resolution, and contrast542. It was designed for long-focus applications and could be focused using a coupled rangefinder or an accessory reflex housing542. 

In October 1961 Leitz brochure, it was described as "one of the sharpest lenses ever created."542 The lens head of 135mm f/4 Elmar lens was compatible with the Visoflex I using mount 14071, the Visoflex II or III with mounts OTZFO or OTZFO* (with the addition of the OTRPO extension tube), the Bellows II for focusing from infinity to 22 inches, and the Leitz Canada "Focorapid" device for quick focusing542.

Prototype 0000041 from Leitz Wetzlar Museum, tagged with a M581 sticker, was illustrated on page 129 of James L. Lager's "Leica: An Illustrated History - Volume 2 - Lenses - Signed Deluxe Limited Edition" book542. The illustrated prototype had its aperture scale engraved f/4.5 while the lens itself was engraved f/4542.