The Leica Xenon 50mm f1.5, product code XEMOO, with a serial number in the 490,000 range, was produced from 1936 to 1950. This particular lens, made in 1939, is the later version with three focus ring bands, commonly referred to as the "three-band" model. It features a hexagonal aperture with a 5-group, 7-element optical design and is uncoated. The aperture is marked in a continental scale (f1.5, 1.6, 2.2, 3.2, 4.5...), with a minimum aperture of f9, and the distance scale is in meters.
This lens was manufactured by Schneider, with a production run of around 6,000 units, making it quite rare. It was designed to compete with the renowned Zeiss-Ikon Sonnar f1.5 and was considered quite expensive at the time. While it may be overshadowed by later Leica lenses like the Summarit and Summilux, the Xenon offers a soft, rich image near its wide-open aperture, delivering a distinctly vintage, old-world rendering. This lens remains a favorite among those seeking an authentic Leica experience.
The lens is compatible with the original folding XIOOM hood, which is rare to find, but the Summarit-compatible XOONS hood (with a 41mm filter thread) can also be used.
This Leica Xenon 50mm f1.5 shows signs of typical use, with general wear visible across the body, but there are no notable scratches or dents, and for a lens that's 85 years old, it maintains a surprisingly clean appearance. A full overhaul was performed during the previous sale in 2016, and upon re-sale in December 2024, another full overhaul has been completed. The aperture ring and focus ring both operate with excellent torque, providing a smooth and satisfying handling experience. The focusing is precise, and the rangefinder coupling is fully functional.
The front and rear elements show some shallow cleaning marks, and there is slight discoloration in the glass, but compared to many Xenons that often have significant cleaning marks, this one has relatively clean optics. While the lens is somewhat prone to flare in backlight situations due to its pre-war uncoated design, it delivers a characterful rendering in more subdued light conditions. During actual shooting tests wide open, it demonstrated good resolution with a slight flare, but still produced sharp, defined images.
Please check the sample images in the test gallery. The lens comes with its original front and rear caps.
