Rare (?) LTM lens: Angenieux 28mm 3.5 Retrofocus, made in France

[Pablito]

A student of mine brought one of these lenses in with her Leica IIIF. Inherited the kit from her grandfather.

Here is a pic of another copy of the same lens I found online:

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photograph...Nikkor/RF28mm/Angenieux_28mmf35PacificRIM.jpg

Lens is coated, distance scale in feet. Made in France, in 1953 from what I can determine.

I never knew Angenieux made lenses in LTM. Does anyone know anything at all about this lens? Image quality? Value? Thanks in advance.

 

[CameraQuest]

Any Angenieux lens in Leica screw mount is rare, and a collectible if in good shape. Prices variable with the market, but usually at least 2x value a similar lens from Leica.

I've seen many a collector go after them, but I have never heard a photographer talking about what great images screw mount Angenieux lenses produce.

Stephen

 

[payasam]

I have had two Angenieux lenses, one in Exakta mount and the other in Leica mount. Both were excellent in every way. Use value high, exchange (market) value irrelevant to me.

 

[Pablito]

Thanks, Stephen. The lens in question has pretty good glass (some marks) but the focus is way off - the end of the focus throw does not line up with the infinity mark. Lens needs a complete overhaul but it's probably worth it since the glass is not bad. But I fear only DAG could do it, and that could take many months...

 

[Pablito]

Thank you Mukul. Market value is only of interest because this lens is HUGE and the CV 28mm 3.5 lens is tiny and probably better optically. So my student may wish to sell the collectible lens in favor of the CV which may be more practical due to its size.

 

[payasam]

The Angenieux should easily bring in enough for a faster CV 28mm. Your student will get a smaller, lighter lens whose performance will be at least as good.

 

[David Murphy]

The Angenieux name is one of the very finest in the optical industry. My advice is to have it serviced, use it a lot, and keep it forever.

 

[raid]

I would trade a nice 28mm plus cash for it.

 

[Revolucion Artistico]

I had an Angenieux 35mm 2.5 retrofocus in ltm that was in about 7 or 8 condition that I sold on ebay a few years ago. If I remember correctly it sold for about $1200. Hope that helps.

 

[Pablito]

Thanks, David and Raid. Any ideas about where to have it serviced? I know DAG is excellent but he is so busy it might take many months. I'm waiting for an e-mail reply from Sherry but I know she prefers to communicate by phone and rarely touches anything non-Leica. Essex Camera Repair in NJ? This is such a specialized item...

 

[Pablito]

I had an Angenieux 35mm 2.5 retrofocus in ltm that was in about 7 or 8 condition that I sold on ebay a few years ago. If I remember correctly it sold for about $1200. Hope that helps.

WOW! that's amazing.

 

[ItsReallyDarren]

Would the specialness of the item impede its use? This lens is so rare and high in value would the person use it less often out of fear of damaging it?

I think selling it and picking up a CV 28 makes the most sense.

 

[DrLeoB]

I have the Alpa version of this lens and it is truly awesome, especially when I use it on my Lumix G1.

Someone who does Alpa service might have the right tools to do the work, also.

Good luck with it.

 

[Pablito]

Hello,
Luigi in Italy who makes the fine range of handmade leather cases for Leica cameras etc., usually has a few Angenieux LTM lenses in stock on his website and he rates them highly. Go to his website and click on "Leica s/m lenses" on the left-hand side of his home web-page and scroll down his catalogue to find them.

Luigi's website :- www.leicatime.com

Interesting. He does not have this particular lens, but the prices of the Angenieux lenses are certainly up there.

 

[kdemas]

I have a terrific Angenieux 135mm LTM from my Dad, just a beautiful lens. Coatings tend to be quite delicate so be careful with cleaning.

I needed a CLA on mine and, if I remember correctly, DAG doesn't work on them. I was able to find someone through my local Leica dealer who did a fantastic job.

I'll have to take it out and shoot a bit and post some shots here on the forum. It seems that there aren't many examples and they really are fine lenses. They made some interesting lenses for the R system as well.

Kent

 

[kdemas]

Here are a few quick shots I fired off with an Angenieux 135/3.5 in LTM on my M8 today. Nothing special (I had about 5 minutes on the way home) but I think you may see the nice character of their lenses.

Kent

 

[Fujitsu]

Putting the name aside, what remains is a very old wide angle lens with defects and probably weak coating. I guess everything else for Leica M that comes in 28mm will show a better performance.

I have used several Angenieux lenses for reflex cameras and never found them superior to Canon / Nikon / Zeiss. Actually I´ve seen the later plastic types break in cold weather. Yes, there´s a reason Angenieux left the photography market...

 

[David Murphy]

Putting the name aside, what remains is a very old wide angle lens with defects and probably weak coating. I guess everything else for Leica M that comes in 28mm will show a better performance.

I have used several ç lenses for reflex cameras and never found them superior to Canon / Nikon / Zeiss. Actually I´ve seen the later plastic types break in cold weather. Yes, there´s a reason Angenieux left the photography market...

I don't know what you consider the photography market, but Angenieux is the gold standard for cinema lenses in the past and today.

 

[Fujitsu]

I don't know what you consider the photography market, but Angenieux is the gold standard for cinema lenses in the past and today.

Photography market: anything photographic, the movie industry not included.

 

[Fuchs]

Hi.
I have had in the past the 28/3.5, 35/2.5 and 135/3.5 Angenieux lenses in LTM mount. Sadly, they didn't make it at my side into the digital M era, but they were awesome lenses on film. I have some negatives somewhere of pics taken with the 28mm, I promise I'll look for them and post some scans.

They were certainly tons better than same age Leitz 28mm lenses (I have had both the f/6.3 Hektor and the f/5.6 Summaron, horrible results from both).

They were sold at prices of Eur 1000 for the 35mm, 900 for the 28 and 500 for the 135, but then it was the year 2002... The person who bought them, sold them shortly after on the *bay with prices just south of US $2000 for the 28 and 35mm and ca. 900 for the 135.