Tele-Elmarit 90mm f2.8 Black Chrome. This piece is an early black-barrel model of the Canadian-made Leitz Tele-Elmarit, distinguished by its bold red scale. The Leitz catalog number is 11800, with a serial number in the 2,140,000 range, manufactured in 1965.
Despite being a telephoto lens, its length is similar to a 50mm lens, making it compact enough to fit in the palm of your hand. The intricate knurling, reminiscent of early Summilux lenses, is beautifully crafted, showcasing exceptional design. The moderate weight and well-positioned helicoid ensure ease of use. With an aperture of f/2.8, offering sufficient brightness for practical use, the lens delivers images with a pleasing softness and is renowned for its artistic rendering capabilities. Compact and versatile, this Tele-Elmarit is an invaluable companion to keep tucked away in your camera bag.
The black-barrel version with red lettering is exceptionally rare. This subtle change in text color significantly alters the lens's visual appeal. Its appearance closely resembles the black-painted Summilux 50mm f/1.4, making it an excellent match for black-painted Leica cameras like the M3, M2, or M4.
The knurled section of the focusing ring shows extremely slight wear to the black paint, and there are minor traces of hood attachment marks on the barrel's front edge. Other than these, there is virtually no sign of use, leaving the exterior beautifully glossy and pristine. It is in exceptional condition, rated at 95%, and is close to being like new.
Fully overhauled in 2024, the lens has been meticulously serviced, resulting in a wonderfully smooth feel for both aperture and helicoid operation. Rangefinder coupling is flawless.
The excellent exterior condition is matched by the glass, which shows no noticeable cleaning marks or haze.
It comes with the original matching-number box, making it well-suited for collectors.
This is a rare find in such outstanding condition!
