Verostigmat 50mm f3.5, also known as Velostigmat. Manufactured around 1945 to 1949. Shortly after World War II, there was a shortage of Elmar supply from Wetzlar, and N.Y. Leitz commissioned the American lens manufacturer Wollensak to produce this lens.
The design of the exterior closely follows that of the Elmar, being almost identical. It features a purple coating, and the distance markings are in feet, as expected.
As Wetzlar's production capacity was restored, this lens had a short production run. Despite being a Leitz-branded lens, it was made by another company, making it one of the rare lenses in this category. It is somewhat rare.
There are some signs of use on the knurled part at the front of the lens barrel, but no significant scratches or dents are visible elsewhere. The collapsible portion and the mount surface show only slight wear, maintaining a very clean appearance.
In April 2025, a full overhaul was completed. Thanks to the careful maintenance, the aperture and helicoid operate smoothly, and the rangefinder coupling works perfectly.
The glass has a few light cleaning marks on the front element, but there is no fogging or fungus, and the glass is clean and clear with excellent sharpness. The coating is still intact across the lens.
The test shots yielded very good results. I hope you will take a look at the test gallery. To be honest, the rendering doesn't quite match that of the Elmar, but for those who prefer a more subdued rendering, this lens offers a great balance.
