A rare collapsible Xenon 50mm f/2 in original Leica screw mount, likely manufactured in the mid to late 1940s.
While the Xenon 5cm f/2 is better known in its Kodak Retina and Rectaflex mounts, this genuine L-mount version is far less common and considered a rarity. We have handled a few collapsible Xenon f/2 lenses over the years — including black paint versions — but they have become increasingly scarce in recent times.

It features a 4-group, 6-element optical design, with distance scale marked in meters. Earlier batches of this lens appear to be uncoated, but this particular example has a light purple coating on all surfaces.

As expected from a prestigious maker like Schneider, this lens offers excellent resolution and produces a very stable, high-quality image even wide open. Color rendition is natural, and it delivers atmospheric results in both color and black & white photography.

This is a previously sold item from our shop — lovingly used by its owner, and now back with us after years. Welcome home!

L-mount Xenon lenses are often plagued by rangefinder coupling issues, but this particular unit underwent a major full overhaul in 2020, including precise focus and rangefinder cam adjustments. It now couples accurately from minimum focusing distance to infinity. A follow-up light service was also performed in 2022.

The lens shows a few very faint cleaning marks on the front and rear elements, but overall the glass remains clear and crisp. Many lenses of this type suffer from wobbling barrels, but thanks to the careful servicing, both the aperture and focusing helicoid operate smoothly. Image results are excellent. Please see our Test Shots Gallery for sample images from its previous listing — all taken wide open.

Note: The included non-original lens hood causes slight vignetting in the corners when attached.