Overview of Leica-R Lenses
The high quality of the R-lenses has arguably been at the center of the stellar reputation of Leica's SLR-system. While the Leicaflex and R-cameras were very solid premium offerings, they never quite achieved technological leadership. In contrast, the companies R-lenses were almost without exception highly regarded and consistently received praise from reviewers. They combined solid physical build based on an all-metal lens barrel and tight manufacturing tolerances with highly corrected optics that often used special elements to reduce aberrations. For example, tests carried out by Lars Kjellberg at Photodo during the 1990s and early 2000s show that Leica R lenses often topped the rankings for MTF resolution in their respective focal length categories.
The first R-lenses were released in 1964, when the Leicaflex was introduced with the new R bayonet mount. The lens catalog expanded continuously over time to eventually cover a vast range of focal lengths from the ultra-wide angle to the super telephoto lens, along with specialty optics for fisheye, perspective control, and macro photography. Leica thereby focused on high quality prime lenses, so that the system features relatively few zooms, even as the latter became more and more popular among professionals and enthusiasts. Also, Leica continued to rely on manual focus for its SLR system much longer than the competition. Eventually, a Leica R10 with autofocus capability was developed, but management decided in March 2009 not to bring that camera to market and, indeed, to discontinue the entire R-system.
While it is perfectly possible to mount and use a forty-year old R-lens on an R9, it is important to note that the R-mount underwent a number of modifications over time. In particular, five different lens bayonet configurations exist for the R-system: (i) "one-cam lenses" feature one projection at the rear of the lens mount to transfer the chosen aperture opening to the light meter of the original Leicaflex; (ii) with the change-over to the Leicaflex SL and SL2 models came the addition of a second projection to the lens mount, giving rise to the so-called "two-cam lenses"; (iii) concurrent with the release of the Leica R3, which features automatic exposure control, a third projection was introduced, giving rise to the "three-cam lenses". All the newer (three-cam or two-cam) lenses can be mounted on older (Leicaflex or SL) bodies, while older (one-cam or two-cam) lenses can be attached to newer (SL or R) bodies, but function in this case only on the basis of stop-down metering. (iv) "three-cam only lenses" started to appear about ten years after the Leicaflex SL2 had been discontinued. They have the third cam to support transmission of aperture information to R-cameras, but lack the first and second one. Also, due to a small bayonet change they can not be mounted on Leicaflex/SL/SL2 cameras; (v) Finally, "ROM lenses" contain electronic contacts in addition of the three-cam-only projections, so that they can transfer lens-specific information to the R8 and R9 bodies. ROM lenses can be mounted on all R-cameras, but not on the Leicaflex/SL/SL2. Hence, when buying lenses for a Leica reflex body, it is important to pay attention to the type of mount the optic is equipped with.
There are also some third party lenses available for Leica-R. In particular, Tamron offered R-system versions of its Adaptall-2 custom mount that made it possible to use Adaptall lenses on R-series cameras. Moreover, French optics manufacturer Angénieux produced several zooms and tele-photo primes for the R-mount. While the body of these optics is of polycarbonate rather than metal, the lenses are highly regarded with respect to imaging quality and mechanical durability. Indeed, Angénieux used to offer a lifetime warranty for its products...
The listing below shows most of the R-mount lenses released, but excludes some extremely rare special order optics, such as the APO-Telyt-R 600mm mirror lens or the APO-Telyt-R 1600mm. Early lenses generally use series filters with corresponding retaining rings, while for later releases Leica switched to the metric screw-in filter standard. Some of the lenses are also available in other colors than black, including chrome, gold or safari-green. Overall, Leica sold about 950,000 R-lenses, or roughly two lenses per reflex-body (about 488,000 Leicaflex and R-cameras sold between 1964 and 2009). However, surely many Leica shooters owned more than one body and, hence, a larger number of lenses. How many R-lenses do you have in your bag?
| Lens Designation | Focus System (type) | Lens Construction (elmts/groups) | Close Focus (m) | Filter Type (size) | Lens Dimensions (dia x len) | Lens Weight (net) | Used Price (USD) | Current Offers (USD) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leica Super-Elmarit-R 15mm f/2.8 Asph | MF | 13 / 10 | 0.18 | n | 84 x 85 mm | 710 g | 3500-7000 | ebay.com | |
| 2 | Leica Super-Elmar-R 15mm f/3.5 | MF | 13 / 12 | 0.16 | n | 84 x 93 mm | 815 g | 2500-3500 | ebay.com | |
| 3 | Leitz Wetzlar Fisheye-Elmarit-R 16mm f/2.8 | MF | 11 / 8 | 0.30 | n | 71 x 60 mm | 460 g | 500-1000 | ebay.com | |
| 4 | Leica Elmarit-R 19mm f/2.8 (I) | MF | 9 / 7 | 0.30 | E82 | 88 x 60 mm | 590 g | 400-800 | ebay.com | |
| 5 | Leica Elmarit-R 19mm f/2.8 (II) | MF | 12 / 10 | 0.30 | n | 71 x 60 mm | 560 g | 1000-2000 | ebay.com | |
| 6 | Leitz Wetzlar Super-Angulon-R 21mm f/3.4 | MF | 8 / 4 | 0.20 | S8 | 67 x 42 mm | 228 g | 400-800 | ebay.com | |
| 7 | Leitz Wetzlar Super-Angulon-R 21mm f/4 | MF | 10 / 8 | 0.20 | E72 | 78 x 44 mm | 420 g | 400-800 | ebay.com | |
| 8 | Leica Vario-Elmar-R 21-35mm f/3.5-4.0 Asph | MF | 9 / 8 | 0.50 | E67 | 75 x 66 mm | 500 g | 800-1600 | ebay.com | |
| 9 | Leica Elmarit-R 24mm f/2.8 | MF | 9 / 7 | 0.30 | S8 | 67 x 49 mm | 420 g | 300-600 | ebay.com | |
| 10 | Leica Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8 (I) | MF | 8 / 8 | 0.30 | S7 | 63 x 40 mm | 275 g | 300-400 | ebay.com | |
| 11 | Leica PC-Super-Angulon-R 28mm f/2.8 | MF | 12 / 10 | 0.30 | E67 | 97 x 84 mm | 600 g | 500-1000 | ebay.com | |
| 12 | Leitz Wetzlar Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8 (II) | MF | 8 / 7 | 0.30 | E55 | 68 x 48 mm | 435 g | 350-500 | ebay.com | |
| 13 | Leica Vario Elmar-R 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5 | MF | 11 / 8 | 0.50 | E60 | 69 x 76 mm | 450 g | 300-600 | ebay.com | |
| 14 | Leica Vario-Elmarit-R 28-90mm f/2.8-4.5 Asph | MF | 11 / 8 | 0.60 | E67 | 80 x 99 mm | 740 g | 1500-3000 | ebay.com | |
| 15 | Leica Summilux-R 35mm f/1.4 | MF | 10 / 9 | 0.50 | E67 | 75 x 76 mm | 685 g | 2000-3000 | ebay.com | |
| 16 | Leica Summicron-R 35mm f/2 (I) | MF | 9 / 7 | 0.30 | S7 | 68 x 61 mm | 510 g | 300-400 | ebay.com | |
| 17 | Leica Summicron-R 35mm f/2 (II) | MF | 6 / 6 | 0.30 | E55 | 66 x 54 mm | 430 g | 400-600 | ebay.com | |
| 18 | Leitz Wetzlar Elmarit-R 35mm f/2.8 (I) | MF | 7 / 6 | 0.30 | S6 | 63 x 40 mm | 310 g | 100-200 | ebay.com | |
| 19 | Leitz Wetzlar Elmarit-R 35mm f/2.8 (II) | MF | 7 / 5 | 0.30 | S6 | 63 x 40 mm | 305 g | 200-300 | ebay.com | |
| 20 | Leitz Elmarit-R 35mm f/2.8 (III) | MF | 7 / 6 | 0.30 | E55 | 66 x 42 mm | 305 g | 300-400 | ebay.com | |
| 21 | Schneider-Kreuznach PA-Curtagon 35mm f/4 | MF | 7 / 6 | 0.30 | S8 | 70 x 51 mm | 310 g | 400-800 | ebay.com | |
| 22 | Angenieux 35-70mm f/2.5-3.3 | MF | 11 / 11 | 1.00 | E58 | 71 x 136 mm | 525 g | 500-1500 | ebay.com | |
| 23 | Leica Vario-Elmarit-R 35-70mm f/2.8 Asph | MF | 11 / 9 | 0.70 | E77 | 88 x 133 mm | 1,050 g | 5000-10000 | ebay.com | |
| 24 | Leica Vario-Elmar-R 35-70mm f/3.5 | MF | 8 / 7 | 1.00 | E67 | 72 x 65 mm | 450 g | 300-400 | ebay.com | |
| 25 | Leica Vario-Elmar-R 35-70mm f /4 | MF | 8 / 7 | 0.50 | E60 | 74 x 79 mm | 505 g | 400-800 | ebay.com | |
| 26 | Angenieux 45-90mm f/2.8 | MF | 15 / 10 | 1.00 | S8 | 69 x 122 mm | 774 g | 1500-2500 | ebay.com | |
| 27 | Leica Summilux-R 50mm f/1.4 (I) | MF | 7 / 6 | 0.50 | E55 | 69 x 51 mm | 395 g | 250-500 | ebay.com | |
| 28 | Leica Summilux-R 50mm f/1.4 (II) | MF | 8 / 7 | 0.50 | E60 | 70 x 51 mm | 710 g | 400-800 | ebay.com | |
| 29 | Leica Summicron-R 50mm f/2.0 (I) | MF | 6 / 5 | 0.50 | S6 | 63 x 39 mm | 680 g | 150-300 | ebay.com | |
| 30 | Leica Summicron-R 50mm f/2.0 (II) | MF | 6 / 4 | 0.50 | E55 | 66 x 41 mm | 290 g | 400-800 | ebay.com | |
| 31 | Leica Macro-Elmarit-R 60mm f/2.8 | MF | 6 / 5 | 0.27 | S7/E55 | 68 x 62 mm | 400 g | 400-800 | ebay.com | |
| 32 | Leica Vario-APO-Elmarit-R 70-180mm f/2.8 | MF | 13 / 10 | 1.70 | E77 | 89 x 190 mm | 1,870 g | 4000-8000 | ebay.com | |
| 33 | Angenieux 3x70 70-210mm f/3.5 | MF | 13 / 9 | 0.90 | E62 | 80 x 164 mm | 783 g | 600-1200 | ebay.com | |
| 34 | Leica Vario-Elmar-R 70-210mm f/4 | MF | 12 / 9 | 1.10 | E60 | 74 x 157 mm | 720 g | 300-900 | ebay.com | |
| 35 | Leitz Elcan-R 75mm f/2 | MF | .. / .. | 0.70 | E60 | 64 x 77 mm | 700 g | 3000-6000 | ebay.com | |
| 36 | Leica Vario-Elmar-R 75-200mm f/4.5 | MF | 15 / 11 | 1.20 | E55 | 70 x 157 mm | 725 g | 200-400 | ebay.com | |
| 37 | Leica Summilux-R 80mm f/1.4 | MF | 7 / 5 | 0.80 | E67 | 75 x 69 mm | 700 g | 2500-4000 | ebay.com | |
| 38 | Leica Vario-Elmar-R 80-200mm f/4 | MF | 12 / 8 | 1.10 | E60 | 71 x 165 mm | 1,020 g | 800-1600 | ebay.com | |
| 39 | Leitz Wetzlar Vario-Elmar-R 80-200mm f/4.5 | MF | .. / .. | 1.80 | E55 | 72 x 157 mm | 710 g | 400-800 | ebay.com | |
| 40 | Leica Summicron-R 90mm f/2 | MF | 5 / 4 | 0.70 | S7/E55 | 70 x 63 mm | 560 g | 1000-2000 | ebay.com | |
| 41 | Leica APO-Summicron-R 90mm f/2 | MF | 5 / 5 | 0.70 | E60 | 70 x 59 mm | 520 g | 3500-5000 | ebay.com | |
| 42 | Leitz Wetzlar Elmarit-R 90mm f/2.8 (I) | MF | 5 / 4 | 0.70 | S7 | 65 x 72 mm | 500 g | 400-800 | ebay.com | |
| 43 | Leica Elmarit-R 90mm f/2.8 (II) | MF | 4 / 4 | 0.70 | E55 | 67 x 57 mm | 450 g | 500-1000 | ebay.com | |
| 44 | Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8 | MF | 8 / 6 | 0.45 | E60 | 73 x 105 mm | 760 g | 1500-3000 | ebay.com | |
| 45 | Leitz Wetzlar Macro-Elmar-R 100mm f/4 | MF | 4 / 3 | 1.10 | E55 | 68 x 120 mm | 670 g | 400-800 | ebay.com | |
| 46 | Leitz Wetzlar Vario-Elmar-R 105-280mm f/4.2 | MF | 13 / 10 | 1.70 | S8 | 89 x 238 mm | 1,950 g | 3000-4000 | ebay.com | |
| 47 | Leitz Canada Elmarit-R 135mm f/2.8 (I) | MF | 5 / 4 | 1.50 | S7 | 65 x 91 mm | 655 g | 500-800 | ebay.com | |
| 48 | Leica Elmarit-R 135mm f/2.8 (II) | MF | 5 / 4 | 1.50 | E55 | 67 x 93 mm | 730 g | 500-1000 | ebay.com | |
| 49 | Leica APO-Summicron-R 180mm f/2 | MF | 9 / 6 | 1.50 | E100 | 116 x 179 mm | 2,500 g | 8000-12000 | ebay.com | |
| 50 | Angenieux APO IF 180mm f/2.3 | MF | 8 / 6 | 1.70 | E82 | 86 x 149 mm | 995 g | 2500-4000 | ebay.com | |
| 51 | Leitz Wetzlar Elmarit-R 180mm f/2.8 (I) | MF | 5 / 4 | 1.80 | S8 | 78 x 134 mm | 1,325 g | 300-600 | ebay.com | |
| 52 | Leitz Wetzlar Elmarit-R 180mm f/2.8 (II) | MF | 5 / 4 | 1.80 | E67 | 75 x 121 mm | 810 g | 300-600 | ebay.com | |
| 53 | Leica APO-Elmarit-R 180mm f/2.8 (I) | MF | 7 / 5 | 1.50 | S8 | 76 x 132 mm | 970 g | 2500-7500 | ebay.com | |
| 54 | Leica APO-Elmarit-R 180mm f/2.8 (II) | MF | 7 / 5 | 1.50 | E67 | 76 x 132 mm | 970 g | 3000-8000 | ebay.com | |
| 55 | Leitz Elcan-R 180mm f/3.4 | MF | 7 / 4 | 2.50 | E60 | 63 x 115 mm | 750 g | $$$ | ebay.com | |
| 56 | Leitz Canada APO-Telyt-R 180mm f/3.4 | MF | 7 / 4 | 2.50 | S7.5/E60 | 68 x 135 mm | 750 g | 800-1200 | ebay.com | |
| 57 | Leitz Wetzlar Elmar-R 180mm f/4 | MF | 5 / 4 | 1.80 | E55 | 86 x 100 mm | 540 g | 200-400 | ebay.com | |
| 58 | Leitz Canada Telyt-R 250mm f/4 (I) | MF | 6 / 5 | 4.50 | S8/E55 | 66 x 100 mm | 1,380 g | 300-600 | ebay.com | |
| 59 | Leitz Canada Telyt-R 250mm f/4 (II) | MF | 7 / 6 | 1.70 | E67 | 75 x 195 mm | 1,230 g | 400-800 | ebay.com | |
| 60 | Leica APO-Telyt-R 280mm f/2.8 | MF | 8 / 7 | 2.50 | E112 | 125 x 261 mm | 2,750 g | 2000-4000 | ebay.com | |
| 61 | Leica APO-Telyt-R 280mm f/2.8 Module | MF | 8 / 7 | 2.00 | rear | 125 x 276 mm | 3,740 g | 8000-12000 | ebay.com | |
| 62 | Leica APO-Telyt-R 280mm f/4 | MF | 7 / 6 | 1.70 | E77 | 88 x 208 mm | 1,875 g | 3000-6000 | ebay.com | |
| 63 | Leitz Telyt-R 350mm f/4.8 | MF | 7 / 5 | 3.00 | E77 | 84 x 286 mm | 1,820 g | 500-1500 | ebay.com | |
| 64 | Leica APO-Telyt-R 400mm f/2.8 | MF | 11 / 9 | 4.70 | rear | 125 x 314 mm | 6,240 g | 10000-15000 | ebay.com | |
| 65 | Leica APO-Telyt-R 400mm f/2.8 Module | MF | 10 / 8 | 3.70 | rear | 157 x 344 mm | 5,800 g | 10000-15000 | ebay.com | |
| 66 | Leica APO-Telyt-R 400mm f/4 Module | MF | 9 / 7 | 2.15 | rear | 157 x 382 mm | 3,860 g | 6000-12000 | ebay.com | |
| 67 | Leitz Wetzlar Telyt 400mm f/6.8 | MF | 2 / 1 | 3.60 | S7 | 78 x 384 mm | 1,830 g | 500-1000 | ebay.com | |
| 68 | Leitz Wetzlar MR-Telyt-R 500mm f/8 | MF | 5 / 5 | 4.00 | E77 | 87 x 121 mm | 750 g | 800-1200 | ebay.com | |
| 69 | Leica APO-Telyt-R 560mm f/4 Module | MF | 11 / 8 | 3.95 | rear | 157 x 382 mm | 6,360 g | 12000-18000 | ebay.com | |
| 70 | Leica APO-Telyt-R 560mm f/5.6 Module | MF | 9 / 7 | 2.15 | rear | 125 x 374 mm | 4,050 g | 10000-15000 | ebay.com | |
| 71 | Leitz Wetzlar Telyt-R 560mm f/6.8 | MF | 2 / 1 | 6.40 | S7 | 98 x 530 mm | 2,330 g | 400-600 | ebay.com | |
| 72 | Leica APO-Telyt-R 800mm f/5.6 Module | MF | 11 / 8 | 3.90 | rear | 157 x 442 mm | 6,550 g | 15000-20000 | ebay.com | |
| 73 | Leitz Wetzlar Telyt-S 800mm f/6.3 | MF | 3 / 1 | 12.50 | built-in | 152 x 790 mm | 6,860 g | 3000-7000 | ebay.com | |
| 74 | Minolta RF Rokkor-X 800mm f/8 for Leica R | MF | .. / .. | 8.00 | rear | 127 x 178 mm | 1,960 g | 1000-2000 | ebay.com |
Further Reading
This site takes its domain name from the APO-Telyt line of telephoto lenses. So, evidently there are quite a few pages devoted to this lens family and its members. Additional detail on many other R-lenses can be found in some of the writings of Erwin Puts, such as in his Leica Lens Compendium or his more recent Lens Chronicle. Free online versions of these are available for download on the Leica resources page. Moreover, if you are interested in accessories for your Leica R-lenses, you might want to check out the respective pages for UV filters, tele-converters, or the Leica Ocular telescope adapter.
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