This may be of interest to collectors (even users!). I bought a very interesting Leitz Wetzlar lens, just arrived. It's a 400/8.0 Telyt lens for M Visoflex units. Serial number 0000698, it's an early prototype for the 400/6.8 Telyt Viso (which came out, I think, in 1968-69 or so). The lens looks significantly different from the regular 400/6.8. It is in one part (rather than two sections); and the entire rear section is covered with vulcanite. It also feels very light. Comes with a prototype? shoulder stock and a brown Leitz fitted lens case.

The lens barrel looks reasonably well used, so someone must have liked it. I'm going to test it out on my Visoflex III unit. But I have no basis for comparison, since I don't use focal lengths longer than 135 mm (and rarely that long).

-- Eliot (erosen@lij.edu), February 01, 2002

Answers

Hello Eliot.Your early prototype from the 1960's is a real departure from the heavy 400mm f5 from the 1940's. Your lens was obviously designed for portability and not speed.Leicaphiles may recall your lens was originally road tested for Leica,Wetzlar by Volker Roach,a sports photographer specialising in formula race car photography..possibly this can partly explain the trombone focus action. It would be interesting to see with your design how much field curvature is in the design.In practice, in the 400 f6.8 version, I have not found this a problem.The lens gives nice and sharp contrasty images.Regards.

-- Sheridan Zantis (albada60@hotmail.com), February 02, 2002.

Sheridan. Thanks for your response. Do you mean that Volker Roach actually tested a 400/8 prototype (? this one). I read in Lager that David Duncan tested a prototype 400/6.8 lens at the 1968 Olympics, but that prototype lens was actually engraved F/6.8.

You are correct that this lens was obviously made for hand held use. The provision of a shoulder stock with the lens gives away the designer's intent. I am familiar with the earlier 400/5 lenses. They were also very long, but way much heavier than the 400/8. Coupled to a Visoflex unit, I don't think the 400/5 units could be used without a tripod (unless you're Schwartzeneggar!).

Sometimes these prototype lenses do not have the correct focal lengths engraved. I think this lens really is an F/8.0 and not the slightly faster F/6.8, because the front diameter is smaller than for the F/6.8.

-- Eliot (ersoen@lij.edu), February 02, 2002.

Hello Eliot. Yes, Volker Rauch did indeed prototype test the f8 400mm Telyt.. who knows,it may have been your particular lens! I can confirm both reading this as well as sighting an actual photograph I recall, in an old Leica Fotografie magazine, of him actually holding the lens. Regards.

-- Sheridan Zantis (albada60@hotmail.com), February 02, 2002.