Hektor 73mm f1.9. This lens features a black paint and nickel-plated finish, representing a pre-war Leitz medium telephoto lens. Leitz's product code for this lens is HEKON. It has a serial number in the 120,000 range and is one of the 121 units produced in 1931, the inaugural year of production for the Hektor 73mm lens. The distance scale is marked in meters, and it features a rotating helicoid mechanism. Near wide-open aperture settings, it produces a soft, dreamy rendering, typical of vintage lenses. As you stop down, resolution improves, enhancing the subject's details. Aperture values ranging from f/3.2 to f/6.3 are optimal, but it's worth actively exploring the unique rendering near wide-open to f/2.2. While originally designed for slip-on filters and hood, this lens comes with a 39-40.5mm filter adapter, a Marumi filter, and a 40.5mm screw-in hood. Overall, there is a natural patina reflecting its age and history, without any notable scratches or dents. In March 2024, it underwent a full service. The aperture and helicoid operation now feel smooth and well-tuned, with just the right amount of torque. The rangefinder coupling works perfectly. Additionally, this particular unit allows for closer focusing than the standard minimum distance indicator (1.5m), enabling shooting down to around 1.1m with rangefinder coupling. This is a delightful feature! The Hektor lens often suffers from significant glass deterioration, but this one has minimal yellowing due to aging, making it quite clean compared to many Hektor 73mm lenses that are often covered in wiping scratches. There are no signs of haze or separation. This rare inaugural year Hektor 73mm is a practical and versatile lens.