An English Dallmeyer telephoto lens for Leica screw mount, Dallac 8.5cm f2. Produced in the late 1940s. Coupled to the rangefinder. Optical construction is 4 groups, 6 elements, double Gauss type.
The aluminum barrel made by Cooke & Perkins is finely crafted, with a clean and well-balanced design that feels distinctly British. In period catalogs, it was promoted with features such as Dalcote coating, lightweight metal barrel, and high resolving power, and was sold specifically for the Leica L mount.
Although the Dallac 85mm was produced in small numbers, several variations are known. This example represents the most common type.
The coating shows a pale purple hue. Actual measured weight is 399g. Accepts 48.5mm or 49mm filters.
A rare lens.
This item was previously sold by our store and has now returned to us, having been carefully used and well looked after by its owner.
The condition remains much the same as at the time of the previous sale, and for a Dallack it is in notably good condition.
The aluminum barrel shows overall wear and small scratches consistent with use, but there are no dents or major damage.
A full overhaul was carried out in 2025. Thanks to careful servicing, the operation is still smooth and well damped, and rangefinder coupling works properly.
The glass shows a few light cleaning marks on the front and middle elements, along with some coating wear on several surfaces, but these are unlikely to have any noticeable effect on actual shooting.
Wide open, the rendering is soft and delicate, with fine lines and beautiful glow that can truly be described as luscious. Stop down by one stop and the character changes dramatically, gaining contrast and delivering a much more powerful, crisp image. Whether shot wide open or stopped down, it offers the unmistakable Dallmeyer look. It performs beautifully not only for portraits but also for still life photography.
Test shooting results are good. Sample images are available in our sample gallery. In addition to the samples from the previous sale, several new images have been added this time. Most shots were taken near wide open, and for sequences with multiple frames, they were shot at f2, f2.8, and f4, stopping down one stop at a time. We hope you will take a look.
