Angenieux 35mm f3.5 Type X1, made in France by P. Angenieux. This is the scarce Leica-mount version with rangefinder coupling. Filter size is 34mm.

Serial number 91xxx, made in 1946, shortly after the end of World War II.

The aluminum barrel weighs an astonishingly light 59g. Compact and extremely lightweight, it also has the distinctive and exceptionally stylish design that makes Angenieux lenses so appealing.

The optical design is a Tessar-type formula with 4 elements in 3 groups. The glass is uncoated, and the distance scale is marked in meters. Production of the Type X1 is said to have lasted only around four years, until 1950. In addition to the Leica version, versions were also made for Contax, which is slightly larger and heavier, and for Alpa. All are scarce today.

The anodized aluminum barrels of this Angenieux X1 and the 50mm f1.8 Type S1 can sometimes fade to blue or green, while earlier examples tend to age toward a brown, amber-like tone. This example has developed exactly that kind of warm brown fading, giving it a wonderfully distinctive vintage appearance. Very few lenses age in quite the same way.

Mounted on a well-used black-paint Leica M3, M2, or M4, or perhaps a black DII or DIII paired with a black WEISU, it creates an exceptionally attractive vintage combination.

Over many years of use, the barrel has faded beautifully to a pale copper tone. The aging is simply superb and especially appealing to lovers of vintage equipment. It appears to have been carefully used over the years, with no noticeable dents or significant impact marks.

A full overhaul was carried out in September 2026. Many examples of the Angenieux 35mm Type X1 were used after the grease had dried out, and because of the aluminum barrel construction, wear can eventually cause looseness and unreliable rangefinder coupling. This example originally showed the same typical play, but it was carefully corrected during servicing, and focus is now stable. The helicoid operates smoothly, and rangefinder coupling is good.

There is some discoloration of the glass and a few light cleaning marks on the front and inner elements, but these should have very little effect on actual images. For a Type X1, this is quite a good optical example.

The results of our test shooting were also very good. Type X1 lenses often suffer from uneven sharpness or unreliable coupling, but this example delivers very pleasing results. Its gentle flare is particularly distinctive. Sample images are available in our Test Shoot Gallery. All were taken wide open at f3.5.

Included are a third-party filter, cap, and a Rayqual LM adapter ring.

Please be sure to hold the lens by the base of the barrel when attaching or removing it. Holding the aperture ring or helicoid while doing so may cause damage.