Leitz Hektor 73mm f1.9, product code HEKON. A renowned pre-war medium telephoto lens from Leitz.
This example bears a serial number in the 370,000 range, manufactured in 1937. Meter scale. Straight helicoid type with rangefinder coupling. Finished in black paint and chrome plating, making it a visually excellent match from Barnack Leicas to M models. Filter size is E39.
At or near wide open, it produces a very soft rendering with a gentle glow. As you stop down, resolution increases noticeably, delivering a more defined image that highlights the subject. Apertures around f3.2 to f6.3 are especially practical, though shooting wide open is highly recommended to enjoy the classic soft character unique to vintage lenses.
This item was originally sold by our shop. It was carefully used by its previous owner and has now returned to us.
There is some paint loss on the front edge, base, and aperture ring, revealing the underlying brass. The chrome plating on the helicoid also shows light wear marks, giving the barrel a well-used character. That said, there are no significant scratches or dents, and considering that nearly 90 years have passed since its manufacture, it can be regarded as being in very good condition.
A full overhaul including focus adjustment was carried out in 2025. Thanks to careful servicing, both the aperture and helicoid operate smoothly, and rangefinder coupling is accurate. The internal anti-reflection matte lacquer has also been carefully reapplied, contributing to improved contrast in rendering.
The front element shows very light cleaning marks and slight aging of the glass. There is also minor balsam separation around the edge of an internal element, but this has no effect on actual shooting. There is no haze or fungus, and overall the glass condition is excellent for a Hektor lens.
Test shots show excellent results. Sample images from the previous listing are available in our sample gallery. All images were taken wide open.
The original hood is included and matches the condition of the lens. Third-party front and rear caps are also included. A great example suitable for practical use.
