Angénieux 28mm f3.5 Type R11. Leica screw mount. Late version with coarser knurling on the aperture and helicoid rings.
Made by P. Angénieux in France. Manufactured in 1957. Rangefinder-coupled. Distance scale in meters. A retrofocus design with 6 elements in 6 groups, featuring a beautiful purple-tinted coating.
The retrofocus design is evident in its distinct styling, with a large front element and a narrowed barrel. The instantly recognizable Angénieux look combines a deep blue anodized aluminum finish with satin chrome knurling in a sophisticated two-tone design, embodying French elegance.
The 28mm Angénieux in L-mount is extremely rare due to its limited production numbers. Its unique styling complements not only Barnack Leicas but also black paint or digital M cameras, showcasing a timeless design.
For reference, the Type R11 filter size differs between the early and late versions: 56mm for the former and 58mm for the latter, often perplexing Angénieux users. Rare item.
The dark blue anodized finish shows signs of heavy use, including fading, scuff marks, and small scratches, but there are no significant dents or impacts. Overall, it retains a nice vintage character. There are two small dings on the front edge of the barrel, but they’ve been professionally repaired, allowing filters to be attached without issue.
Fully overhauled in December 2024. The aperture and helicoid rings operate with a smooth, well-balanced torque. At infinity, the rangefinder coupling slightly overshoots, but we’ve preserved the original setup as the coupling remains accurate.
The front element shows minor linear cleaning marks, and there is slight wear on the coating across the lens surfaces. However, these imperfections do not affect image quality.
Sample photos are available in our test gallery, covering a variety of conditions including front light, backlight, color, and monochrome. The lens delivers pleasing vignetting near wide-open settings and crisp focus rendering, making it a joy to use.
Included accessories: original front cap (likely designed for cinema use), Miyazaki Optical MS-F M58.5 hood, protective filter, and a third-party rear cap. A complete set, ready to take out for shooting.
