Angénieux 75mm f3.5 Type Z3, made in 1945. Genuine Leica screw mount. Serial number 63xxx.

This is a triplet design with 3 elements in 3 groups. Uncoated optics. Distance scale in meters. The aluminum barrel weighs only 128g, making it remarkably lightweight and compact—so much so that you might forget it's a telephoto lens. Our test photographer particularly appreciated this aspect. The rendering is gentle and subdued in character.

Although the Angénieux Z3 was produced in fair numbers, many surviving examples suffer from excessive wear. They were often used with dried-out grease, leading to uneven wear on the aluminum barrel, resulting in loose helicoids and uncorrectable decentering. Because of this, we are extremely cautious when sourcing this model.

This particular unit is a rare exception—rangefinder coupling is spot on, and focus accuracy is excellent. A rare example of a rare lens.

This item was previously sold by our store and has now returned after being carefully used by the customer.
It features the distinctive aging characteristic of Angénieux lenses, with a dark greenish fading that adds to its charm. The easily lost focusing knob remains original on this piece.
A full overhaul, including precise focus adjustment, was completed in 2023. Thanks to this meticulous servicing, the aperture and helicoid still offer impressively smooth operation—a noteworthy trait considering how many Z3 units suffer from worn helicoids.
Also, while many Angénieux L-mount lenses have unreliable rangefinder coupling, this one syncs perfectly.
There is slight aging-related haze on the front and rear elements, but no notable cleaning marks or haze overall—the glass is clear and crisp, making it a particularly good example for an Angénieux lens. Test results were excellent.
A HANSA lens hood is included.

This item was sold at our physical store while preparing it for sale. Thank you very much.