French gem, the Angénieux 50mm f1.5 Type S21. Early model. Manufactured in 1953, the debut year of the S21. Marked in feet. Preset aperture.
A Double Gauss configuration with 4 groups and 6 elements.
Near wide-open aperture, it produces a beautiful veil-like flare and rich bokeh, offering an exceptionally beautiful rendering. The unique appearance of the Angénieux is also irresistible. The recessed lens design eliminates the need for a hood, allowing you to enjoy its beautiful appearance without compromising it by attaching a hood.
The suitable filter diameter is an unusual size of 51mm or 51.5mm, but this item can be fitted with a generic Kenko 52mm hood with just under a full turn.
This item features an Exakta mount, but it has been beautifully converted to a Leica M mount. The Leica M mount portion functions as an adapter, allowing you to easily revert to the original Exakta mount if desired.
It faithfully reproduces the characteristic fine-grained aluminum silver band of the early type Angénieux S1, achieving a finish that could be mistaken for the original.
The stylish appearance, with its pronounced taper and accented band, may even surpass the extremely rare original S1 Leica L mount. Moreover, it perfectly synchronizes with a rangefinder. In live view, it is capable of close-up shots down to about 0.4 meters. A coveted piece for Leica and vintage lens enthusiasts.
Includes the original front cap. A rare find.
The barrel shows some signs of use but there are no significant scratches or dents. For an early model Angénieux 50mm f1.5, it is in very good condition.
The lens head has undergone a full overhaul in 2023. Thanks to meticulous maintenance, both the aperture and helicoid maintain a smooth, well-lubricated feel. The rangefinder coupling is precise right from the maximum aperture. The staff were amazed by the accuracy of the synchronization.
There are a few very shallow scratches on the front element and some extremely faint haze around the middle element, visible only under strong LED light, but the center of the glass is clear.
When using with a Leica rangefinder, the helicoid on the S21 body should be fixed at the infinity position, and focusing should be done using the helicoid on the adapter. Extending the S21's helicoid allows for close-up shots up to about 0.4 meters, though it is then limited to live view use only.
Real-world tests also showcased the characteristic sweet rendering of the S21. I hope you enjoy viewing the sample images.
This lens invites you to fully enjoy its soft, dreamy rendering near wide open apertures. Stopping down the aperture transitions to a clear, transparent depiction, offering the joy of adjusting to match your creative vision. With the S21, the dream of Leica rangefinder coupling becomes a reality.
