Angenieux 28mm f3.5 Type R11, Leica screw mount, late model. Manufactured by the French company P. Angenieux in 1957. This lens features rangefinder coupling with distance markings in feet. It is a retrofocus design with a 6-group, 6-element configuration, and has a beautiful purple coating.
The front of the lens is slightly larger, featuring a unique design with a narrowed waist. The two-tone finish, with blue anodized aluminum and pearlescent chrome-plated knurling, is stylishly French—there's hardly another 28mm lens as chic as this one.
The L-mount Angenieux 28mm is a rare gem due to its low production numbers, especially this later type which is even less common.
Its distinctive styling complements not only the Barnack Leica but also looks great on black paint or digital M models.
Interestingly, the filter size of the Type R11 differs between the early and late models—56.5mm for the early and 58.5mm for the late, which can be confusing for Angenieux users.
A rare item indeed.
The lens barrel shows slight fading, but overall, it has a beautiful appearance with minimal signs of use. For an L-mount Angenieux, which often shows more wear, this lens is quite pristine. There are no visible dents or significant marks.
It underwent a full service in April 2024, including focus adjustment. Thanks to thorough maintenance, the aperture and helicoid movements are very smooth. The rangefinder coupling is also in perfect condition.
There is some wear on the coating of each element, but it should not affect the actual shooting. The coating remains intact overall.
The test shooting results were also good. I have posted sample images at the test shooting gallery. I would be pleased if you could take a look. All photos were taken at the maximum aperture of f3.5
