Hektor 73mm f1.9. This lens features a black paint and nickel-plated finish. A renowned mid-telephoto lens from pre-war Leitz, its official Leitz code is HEKON.
This particular piece has a serial number in the 90,000 range, making it an extremely early production model—one of the very first Hektors. One can imagine the meticulous craftsmanship that went into its manufacture and assembly. Made in 1931, it features meter markings and a rotating helicoid focus mechanism. The filter diameter is E39.
When used at wide apertures, it produces a soft, dreamy glow, embodying the distinctive character of an old lens. Stopping it down enhances sharpness, making the subject stand out beautifully. The ideal aperture range is between f/3.2 and f/6.3, but the unique rendering at f/1.9 to f/2.2 is also well worth exploring. The slightly stopped-down background blur has a dramatic, textured quality, making it an excellent choice for product photography as well as portraits.
The glass in this piece is in excellent condition, and the rangefinder coupling works perfectly from around 1 meter. For those who wish to enjoy precise rangefinder photography with a Leica, this Hektor is a highly practical and reliable choice!
Overall, signs of use appropriate to its age can be seen. The black paint and nickel plating give it a truly excellent vintage character. There are no dents or major impacts.
In February 2025, it underwent a full overhaul. The aperture and helicoid have been adjusted to an ideal level of torque, and the rangefinder coupling is perfectly aligned.
Notably, this particular unit allows for closer focusing than the minimum distance marking of 1.5m, enabling rangefinder-coupled shooting down to approximately 1m—a highly desirable feature!
Hektors are often found with damaged glass, but this one has minimal aging-related yellowing or cleaning marks. For a Hektor 73mm, the glass is in remarkably good condition, with no haze or balsam separation.
Thanks to its clean optics, the lens delivers excellent image quality, allowing you to enjoy delicate rendering even at maximum aperture. Sample images have been uploaded to the test gallery—please take a look!
A genuine Leica rear cap is included.
