Leitz Xenon 50mm f1.5, early type. This example bears the Taylor-Hobson engraving on the name ring and was likely supplied for the British market. Leitz product code XEMOO. Serial number in the 280,000 range.
The Leica Xenon was produced from 1935 to 1950. This example dates from 1936, the first year of regular production, and belongs to the second production batch. It is the early type with two knurled bands on the helicoid ring, commonly known as the Two-Band version. It features hexagonal aperture blades and a 7 elements in 5 groups optical design. Uncoated. The aperture scale uses the continental sequence of f1.5, 1.6, 2.2, 3.2, 4.5 and so on, with a minimum aperture of f9. Distance scale in feet.
Designed by Dr. Albrecht Tronnier, the Xenon was one of Leitz’s representative fast lenses of the prewar era. Manufactured by Schneider, total production was relatively limited at around 6,000 lenses. It was also Leitz’s answer to the famous Zeiss Ikon Sonnar and appears to have been a very expensive lens in its day. As a fast Leitz standard lens, it is often overshadowed by the later Summarit and Summilux, but it is a fine classic lens capable of delicate, soft rendering from wide open.
The matching slip-on UV filter is the XOOFB, while the folding XIOOM lens hood can be used.

There are light scuffs around the hood mounting area at the front of the barrel and near the base, but no other noticeable scratches or dents. For a Leica Xenon approaching 90 years old, the exterior is remarkably clean. There are also no areas where the brass is showing through.
A full overhaul was completed in August 2026. Thanks to careful servicing, both the aperture ring and helicoid, which can often become rather stiff on Xenon lenses, now operate exceptionally smoothly and are a pleasure to use.
The front element shows only a few extremely light cleaning marks visible under a strong LED light, and these should have virtually no effect on actual photography. The middle elements are clear and bright, and overall the glass is exceptionally clean for a Xenon.
As with many prewar uncoated lenses, it is somewhat vulnerable to backlighting, but in lower-key scenes it produces wonderfully atmospheric images with plenty of character. Test shots also showed excellent results. We hope you will take a look at the sample images in our Test Shoot Gallery.
Original front and rear caps and the original box are included.
A very difficult example to find in this condition.