Leica R telephoto lens, the Apo-Telyt-R 180mm f3.4, made in Canada.
This lens was specially ordered by the U.S. military in the early 1970s for reconnaissance use, based on a design developed by Leica Canada, and was released to the public in 1975. It incorporates special glass that allows shooting in the infrared spectrum without the need for correction.
This particular unit has a serial number in the 3.47 million range and was manufactured in 1989. The compatible filter size is E60.
With an f/3.4 aperture, it strikes a balance between not being too dark nor too heavy, offering excellent handling. The built-in hood and simple, clean design make it a compact and easy-to-carry telephoto lens.
The lens shows no signs of wear, scratches, or dings, and it has a very clean appearance, including the mount area, with no noticeable signs of use.
It underwent a full overhaul in December 2024. The aperture ring offers a pleasant click feel, and the helicoid moves smoothly, making the operation feel excellent.
The glass is free of wipe marks and is clear and crisp. There is only a slight coating wear, but it does not affect the image quality. The results from test shots were also very good.
The lens comes with its original front and rear caps.
