Leica LTM 4,5 13,5cm Hektor vs Elmar

[cassel]

Leitz Elmar 13.5cm f4.5
I don’t see much mention of this lens, so I thought I’d share my story. Found a copy of this lens last weekend at an Antique Mall in Seattle for $32. Figured for that price it was worth a try! Research shows it was made from 1931-1936 in black enamel. My lens looks pretty good with brassing on the barrel, but the glass looks quite clean. I don’t have the 35mm/135mm adapter ring to use with it, so I mounted it on my M4-P with a 28mm/90mm adapter. It definitely has a long-throw focus. Shot up a roll of Lomo 800 speed film to try it out…It’s sort of a challenge to shoot at a fixed 135mm focal length, makes you look at the world in a different way. My lens is Rangefinder-coupled, and the serial number is hand-engraved on the focusing tab....interesting.

As of tonight, I'm on frame "35"... almost there!

 

[charjohncarter]

cassel, shows us the results.

 

[cassel]

Here's a couple of shots of the lens...mounted on my M4-P- about 50 years difference🙂
Not sure about the number on the rangefinder cam/tab - looks like 78383 - too short to be a lens number...maybe it was matched to a body with that number? Just finished the test roll for this lens... will post tonight or tomorrow!

 

[cassel]

OK- Just got the first test roll back with this lens... Looks pretty good! Focus is right on... Colors are a bit muted, but I was shooting with a strong gray overcast. Overall, I'm quite happy, what a steal for $32!

 

[charjohncarter]

Good shots, I've got to get mine back in action. I'm mad at my IIIf and BessaR right now; I'll get over it.

Tacoma ????????????????????????????????

 

[cassel]

Very close guess!
You're looking at Bremerton, WA
The second shot is looking towards the Naval Shipyard, with the USS Turner Joy and a Washington State Ferry.

 

[John Shriver]

Surprised the serial number isn't engraved somewhere on the head of the lens. At least on my Hektor 135/4.5, the serial number is engraved on the head, and when you unscrew the head (comes off for Visoflex use), the last four digits are in pencil on the first light baffle. They marked it both places because the head and focusing mount are "mated", as the focusing mount is calibrated for the exact focal length of the lens head.

 

[Martin Carone Santos]

The Hektor 13,5cm is usually underrated... And usually its price is very low. Here is difficult to find one without severe scratches.

I like a lot the results. Mine is from 1948.

 

[Luddite Frank]

Was the later Elmar 135 / f:4.0 made in LTM ?

 

[martinjames]

Frank,
Yes, I have one from 1960, the first year of production.
According to my Leica reference books there were a little less than 3300 made in LTM.

 

[mfogiel]

Hektor is a 4 element lens with low contrast and gentle sharpness loss away from the centre. It does not get very sharp before f 8.0-11. The 135/4 Elmar is a 30 years younger design, and wide open it is sharper than Hektor at F 11. It is basically at optimum aperture already wide open, improving slightly in sharpness and contrast when stopped down. Tele Elmar 135 is sharper still, and at f 5.6 it is difficult to fault on any count, despite being a design from 1965. If you need perfection, get the Apo Telyt.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Hadn't used the Hektor in a while....5 years or so....
Shot some portraits with it last month. Rollei RPX 400 film and Y2 filter.
Combined with the 9cm f/4 Elmar one of the underated tele lenses.

 

[Luddite Frank]

Nice pictures, Rick ! 🙂

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Thanks,
I'm not a 100% happy about the results, but that's my own fault for going with full stand development with a fast film.