Zunow 5cm f1.1, mid-period version. Leica screw mount with rangefinder coupling. Serial number in the 5000 range. Marked Zunow Opt.
In 1955, the company name was changed from Teikoku Kogaku to Zunow Optical Industry, and the engraving on the name ring was updated accordingly. Distance scale on the helicoid is in feet.
The Zunow 50mm f1.1 (early Ping-Pong version) was announced in 1953 and went on sale in 1954. At the time, Teikoku Kogaku was still relatively unknown, yet it made a sensational debut by introducing the world’s fastest lens. The appearance of this Zunow lens ignited fierce competition in Japan for ultra-fast lenses, with companies such as Konishiroku, Nippon Kogaku, Canon, and Fuji Photo Film releasing a succession of highly attractive lenses around the f1 class.
The barrel design, with its rhythmic waist and knurling, is strikingly handsome. The distinctive brand name Zunow, the wide-open rendering filled with dramatic flare, and its brief reign as the world’s brightest standard lens must have deeply stirred the hearts of postwar Japanese photographers. This is a truly unique Japanese ultra-fast lens, rich in both charm and story.
In this mid-period version, the protruding rear element seen on the early Ping-Pong type was eliminated, improving peace of mind when mounting and removing the lens. Flare at or near full aperture also appears more controlled. Although Zunow lenses were produced only for a short time, there are many variations; among them, this flat rear-element version is likely the most commonly encountered.
Stopping down one or two stops from wide open dramatically tightens the image and greatly improves definition, allowing you to enjoy a rendering that feels almost like a completely different lens. A lens that is a pleasure to admire and a pleasure to shoot.
A rare piece.
There is some slight deterioration of the plating around the outer edge of the filter rim, but otherwise the lens shows no noticeable signs of use and remains in very clean cosmetic condition.
A full overhaul, including focus adjustment, was completed in December 2025. The aperture and helicoid now operate smoothly, making focusing comfortable even with the Sonnar, which can sometimes feel heavy or stiff. Rangefinder coupling is spot on. Wide open, the lens shows the Sonnar’s characteristic, dramatic flare, within which fine resolving lines can still be observed.
There are a few extremely light cleaning marks on the front element and slight coating wear on the middle element, but these should have virtually no effect on actual photography. The glass is otherwise clear and free from haze, with a crisp, clean look and very pleasing performance.
The original cap is included.
