Tele-Elmarit 90mm Black Chrome. Model 11800. Serial No. 2,210,000, manufactured in 1966. Made by Leitz Canada. This piece is an early model with a black barrel, featuring a striking red scale. Its design shares similarities with the early version of the Summilux 50mm. In addition to its exquisite knurling, it boasts a moderate weight and conveniently positioned helicoid, making it easy to handle. Despite being a telephoto lens, its overall length is close to that of a 50mm lens, allowing it to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand. It's very handy to have tucked away in your camera bag.

With an f/2.8 aperture, it provides ample brightness for practical use. Wide open, it offers a moderately soft rendering known for its beautiful imaging. When stopped down, the contrast increases significantly, resulting in rich, dense images. The striking red-lettered Tele-Elmarit pairs well with black-painted Leica M3, M2, and M4 cameras.

The exterior shows some signs of use, with black paint wear visible on the knurled parts. There are no dings or dents. Fully overhauled in June 2024. The aperture clicks with a smooth, precise feel, and the helicoid movement is also smooth. Focus is accurate, and the rangefinder coupling is perfect.

There are 3-4 small fungus marks on the rear element that couldn't be completely removed during cleaning. Additionally, there are a few very light cleaning marks on the front element, but these do not affect the image quality. The results of the practical test were excellent.

This lens is in a condition where you can use it without hesitation. It is highly recommended for heavy users. Comes with a 12575 hood and hood cap.