Leitz Telyt 400mm F5 Telephoto Lens for M39 Visoflex or Mirrorless, Tested

For sale is a German-made 400mm F5 (to F32) Telephoto Lens for M39 Visoflex (screwmount Leica), serial number 1616093. This lens was issued in 1936, designed for the'36 Berlin Olympics, & fewer than 3000 were made. This is a post-war example of the lens, probably from the'40s or'50s. It's a big lens, 11" with the integral lens-shade retracted & 14 ¾" extended, by 3 ¾ across the objective, weighing 4 ¼ lbs. Originally designed for the Visoflex reflex device, it works quite well with modern mirrorless digital cameras using adapters & extension tubes-the photo display shows the Telyt rigged with a Panasonic Lumix GX9.

Visoflex & mirrorless photography with this lens both require patience, since focus & iris control are manual, & there's no iris preset feature. Coated lens is in very good condition, & takes excellent photos-see the digital image of a distant roof in the display, with a normal lens comparison photo. The flashlight test reveals no scratches, dust, or fungus in the lens-just the fine bubbles one usually sees in good optical glass, & which don't affect performance.

Lens has an adjustable tripod collar, with a ¼ socket insert. Comes with Leica signature front cap & generic back-cap; no box or papers-doesn't come, of course, with the digital camera, tubes, or tripod, shown for display only.

To ensure your complete satisfaction, examine photos and descriptions carefully--I'm happy to answer your questions. Feedback will be shared when it's received.