The chrome barrel Hektor 5cm lens, serial number 160,000, manufactured in 1933, is a non-coated lens with a code HEKTORCHROM from Leitz. It features a 3-group 6-element construction and is marked in feet. This lens is notable for its f/2.5 aperture, making it one of the earliest collapsible large-aperture lenses for Leica, weighing approximately 135g. It has a filter diameter of A36 and is identified by helicoid number 2.
At its wide-open aperture, you can expect a soft, rich rendering characteristic of vintage lenses. Hektors are often found with varying degrees of polishing quality and occasional focus issues, particularly from lenses sourced overseas. However, this particular unit has been meticulously maintained, ensuring reliable rangefinder coupling and smooth operation, making it a prized addition to any collection.
The chrome Hektor lens shows minor scratches on the collapsible section but overall maintains a very clean appearance, typical for a well-preserved Hektor. There are no dents or significant marks visible. It underwent a full overhaul in July 2024, including focus adjustment, resulting in smooth operation of the aperture and helicoid. The rangefinder coupling works perfectly.
The front element exhibits some residual haze and light cleaning marks around the edges, despite efforts to clean it thoroughly. However, the other glass surfaces are in excellent condition. In challenging conditions like strong backlight or high contrast scenes, shooting wide open produced slightly washed-out results, but stopping down improves image quality significantly.
Under normal lighting conditions or controlled light, the lens performs exceptionally well, showcasing rich colors and surprisingly good rendering despite being a non-coated lens. Examples of its performance have been posted in a test gallery, all shot wide open. A genuine front cap is included with the lens.
