Leitz Hektor 50mm F/2.5

Standard prime lens • Film era • Discontinued

  • Announced:
  • · 1931
  • Production status:
  • ● Discontinued
  • Country of design:
  • · German Reich
  • Original name:
  • · Leitz Hektor f=5cm 1:2,5
  • Order No.:
  • · HEKTO
  • · HEKTORKUP
  • · HEKTOCHROM - chrome-plated
  • Class:
  • · Fast full-frame standard prime lens
  • System:
  • · Leica SM (1930)

Specification

Optical design:
35mm full frame
50mm
F/2.5
6 elements in 3 groups (Cooke triplet derivative)
Leica screw mount
46.8° (35mm full frame)
Diaphragm mechanism:
Diaphragm type:
Manual
Aperture control:
Dial-set aperture ring
<No data>
Focusing:
Coupled to the rangefinder:
<No data>
1m
Focusing modes:
Manual focus only
Manual focus control:
Focusing lever
Physical characteristics:
135g
<No data>
Accessories:
Slip-on 36mm
FISON / 12510
FISONCHROM
FIKUS / 12530

Source of data

  • Own research.

Manufacturer description #1

This lens is chosen by those who require additional speed in their normal angle lens. It is also used by many as a "standard" objective for all-around purposes. In collapsible mount.

Manufacturer description #2

The "Leitz-Hektor" lens F/2.5, 5 cm. focus meets the wishes of those Leica photographers who desire to obtain snapshots under unfavourable lighting conditions both out of doors and indoors. The Leitz-Hektor lens is not a soft picture producer like many other lenses of this aperture, although it naturally does not quite attain the same crisp definition as the "Leitz-Elmar" lens.

The tubular socket of the "Leitz-Hektor" 5 cm. lens is pulled out for photographing in the same way as the standard lens and locked in a bayonet catch by turning it to the right (clockwise). When the camera is not in use the lens socket is turned to the left and pushed into the camera body.

From the editor

The first fast lens for the Leica. The standardized screw-mount version. Rangefinder coupled since 1932. Originally in nickel finish, but chrome finish introduced in 1932.

Definition, particularly at the widest aperture, is not quite up to the standard of the ELMAR 50mm, but stopped down to at least F/6.3 it improves considerably.

Notes

  • LEICA lenses HEKTOR 28/6.3, ELMAR 35/3.5, HEKTOR 50/2.5, ELMAR 50/3.5 [I], [II] have the aperture scales engraved on the front of the lens mount. The iris is opened and closed by adjustment of a small finger-piece engraved with an index line. On all other LEICA lenses the diaphragm is controlled by means of a milled ring.
  • All LEICA lenses having a focusing lever are automatically locked at the infinity position. This feature enables the camera to be used for infinity scenes and subjects without danger of the lens becoming accidentally out of focus due to unintentional movement. To release the lever for focusing on nearer planes press the knob at the end of the lever.

Other standard prime lenses in the Leica SM system

■Leica screw mount (11)
Leitz Elmar 50mm F/3.5 [I] [ELMAR, ELMARKUP, ELMARCHROM] • CollapsibleM4 - 31.00mA36 1930 ●
Leitz Elmar 50mm F/3.5 [II] [ELMAR] • CollapsibleM4 - 31.00mA36 1951 ●
Leitz Wetzlar Elmar 50mm F/3.5 [III] [ELMAR / 11010] • CollapsibleM4 - 31.00mE39 1954 ●
Leitz Wetzlar Elmar 50mm F/2.8 [I] [ELMOO / 11512, ELMOO / 11012] • CollapsibleM4 - 31.00mE39 1957 ●
Leitz / Leitz Wetzlar Summar 50mm F/2 [SUMAR, SUMARKUP, SUMARCHROM]M6 - 41.00mA36 1933 ●
Leitz / Leitz Wetzlar Summar 50mm F/2 [SUMUS, SUMUSKUP, SUMUSCHROM] • CollapsibleM6 - 41.00mA36 1934 ●
Leitz / Leitz Wetzlar Summitar 50mm F/2 [SOORE / 11015] • CollapsibleM7 - 41.00mE36.4 1939 ●
Leitz Wetzlar Summicron 50mm F/2 [I] [SOOIC / 11016] • CollapsibleM7 - 61.00mE39 1953 ●
Leitz Wetzlar Compur-Summicron 50mm F/2 (150 units)M? - ?1.00m 1954 ●
Leitz Wetzlar Xenon 50mm F/1.5 [XEMOO]M7 - 51.00mA51 1936 ●
Leitz Wetzlar / Leitz Canada Summarit 50mm F/1.5 [SOOIA / 11020]M7 - 51.00mE41 1949 ●

Lenses with similar focal length

■Leica screw mount (71)
Canon 50mm F/1.2 LSMM7 - 51.00m⌀55 1956 ●
Canon 50mm F/1.4 [I] LSMM6 - 41.00m⌀48 1957 ●
Canon 50mm F/1.4 [II] LSMM6 - 41.00m⌀48 1959 ●
Serenar / Canon 50mm F/1.5 LSMM7 - 31.00mS.VII 1952 ●
Serenar / Canon 50mm F/1.8 [I] LSMM6 - 41.00mS.VI 1951 ●
Canon 50mm F/1.8 [II] LSMM6 - 41.00mS.VI 1956 ●
Canon 50mm F/1.8 [III] LSMM6 - 41.00m⌀40 1958 ●
Canon 50mm F/2.2 LSMM5 - 41.00m⌀40 1961 ●
Canon 50mm F/2.8 [I] LSMM4 - 31.00mS.VI 1955 ●
Canon 50mm F/2.8 [II] LSMM4 - 31.00m⌀40 1957 ●
Chiyoko Super Rokkor 45mm F/2.8 [C] LSMM5 - 31.00m 1947 ●
Chiyoda Kogaku Super Rokkor 50mm F/1.8 LSMM6 - 51.00m⌀46 1958 ●
Chiyoko Super Rokkor 50mm F/2.8 [C] LSMM5 - 31.00m⌀40.5 1954 ●
Chiyoko Super Rokkor 50mm F/2 [C] LSMM7 - 61.00m⌀43 1955 ●
Chiyoko Super Rokkor 50mm F/2 LSMM7 - 61.00m⌀40.5 1955 ●
Cosina Voigtlander Color-Skopar 50mm F/2.5 LSMM7 - 60.75m⌀39 2002 ●
Cosina Voigtlander Heliar 50mm F/2 LSM "Cosina 50th Anniversary, Bessa 10th Anniversary" (600 units)M5 - 31.00m⌀39 2009 ●
Cosina Voigtlander Nokton 50mm F/1.5 Aspherical LSMM6 - 50.90m⌀52 1999 ●
Fuji Photo Film Fujinon 50mm F/1.2 LSMM8 - 63.5 ft. 1954 ●
Fuji Photo Film Fujinon L 50mm F/2 LSMM6 - ?1.00m⌀43 1957 ●
Fuji Photo Film Fujinon L 50mm F/2.8 LSMM5 - ?1.00m⌀40.5 1957 ●
Fuji Photo Film Cristar 50mm F/2 LSM • CollapsibleM6 - 43.5 ft. 1949 ●
Konica Hexanon 50mm F/2.4 LSM (1000 units) • CollapsibleM6 - 40.80m⌀40.5 1997 ●
Konishiroku Hexanon 50mm F/1.9 LSMM6 - 53.5 ft.⌀40.5 1956 ●
Light Lens Lab Noctilucent 50mm F/1.2 ASPH. "1966"M6 - 41.00m⌀49 2024 ●
Light Lens Lab Elcan 50mm F/2M4 - 40.70m⌀39 2022 ●
Nippon Kogaku Nikkor-H·C 50mm F/2 LSM • CollapsibleM6 - 33.5 ft.S.VI 1947 ●
Nippon Kogaku Nikkor-H[·C] 50mm F/2 LSMM6 - 31.5 ft.S.VI 1950 ●
Nippon Kogaku Nikkor-S·C 50mm F/1.5 LSM (408 units)M7 - 51.5 ft.⌀40.5 1949 ●
Nippon Kogaku Nikkor-S[·C] 50mm F/1.4 LSMM7 - 31.5 ft.S.VII 1950 ●
Nippon Kogaku Nikkor-N·C 50mm F/1.1 LSM (211 units)M9 - 63.5 ft.⌀62 1956 ●
Jupiter-8 50mm F/2 LSM
akaЮПИТЕР-8 50mm F/2 [П]		M6 - 31.00m⌀40.5 1947 ●
Industar-61[L/D] 52mm F/2.8 LSM
akaИ-61 52mm F/2.8
akaИ-61Л/Д 53mm F/2.8
akaИ-61Л/Д 55mm F/2.8
akaИНДУСТАР-61Л/Д 55mm F/2.8		M4 - 31.00m⌀40.5 ●
Jupiter-3 50mm F/1.5 LSM
akaЮПИТЕР-3 50mm F/1.5 [П]		M7 - 31.00m⌀40.5 1948 ●
Industar-26M 50mm F/2.8 LSM
akaИ-26м 52mm F/2.8
akaИНДУСТАР-26м 50mm F/2.8 П		M4 - 31.00m⌀40.5 1954 ●
FED 50mm F/2 LSM • Collapsible
akaФЭД 50mm F/2		M6 - 41.00mA36 ●
Jupiter-17 50mm F/2 LSM
akaЮПИТЕР-17 50mm F/2 П		M5 - 41.00m⌀40.5 1953 ●
Steinheil Munchen Quinon 50mm F/2 LSMM6 - 30.60m ●
Tanaka Kogaku Tanar 50mm F/2.8 LSMM4 - 33.5 ft. 1954 ●
Tanaka Kogaku Tanar 50mm F/2.8 H.C. Close Focus LSMM4 - 31.5 ft. 1955 ●
Tanaka Kogaku Tanar 50mm F/2.8 H.C. Close Focus LSM BlackM4 - 31.5 ft. 1957 ●
Tanaka Kogaku Tanar 50mm F/2 H.C. LSMM6 - 31.5 ft.⌀40.5 1956 ●
Tanaka Kogaku Tanar 50mm F/2 H.C. LSM BlackM6 - 31.5 ft.⌀40.5 1957 ●
Tanaka Kogaku Tanar 50mm F/1.9 LSMM6 - 30.60m⌀40.5 1959 ●
Tanaka Kogaku Tanar 50mm F/1.8 LSMM6 - 30.60m 1960 ●
Tanaka Kogaku Tanar 50mm F/1.5 H.C. LSMM7 - 32 ft. 1957 ●
Teikoku Kogaku Zunow 50mm F/1.1 [I] LSMM9 - 53.5 ft.⌀54.5 1953 ●
Teikoku Kogaku / Zunow Opt. Zunow 50mm F/1.1 [II] LSMM8 - 53.5 ft.⌀54.5 1955 ●
Tokyo Kogaku Topcor-S 50mm F/2 Type 2 LSMM6 - 41.00m⌀40.5 1958 ●
Tokyo Kogaku Topcor-S 50mm F/2 Type 1 LSMM6 - 43.5 ft.⌀40.5 1957 ●
Tokyo Kogaku Topcor 50mm F/2.8 LSMM5 - 33.5 ft.⌀34 1958 ●
Tokyo Optical Topcor 50mm F/1.5 LSMM7 - 43.5 ft.⌀40 1954 ●
Tokyo Kogaku Topcor 50mm F/2 LSMM6 - 53.5 ft.⌀40 1954 ●
Tokyo Kogaku Topcor-S 50mm F/2 "Panda" LSMM6 - 41.00m⌀40.5 1957 ●
Tokyo Optical Simlar 50mm F/1.5 LSMM7 - 43.5 ft.⌀40 1950 ●
Voigtlander Nokton 50mm F/1.5 LSMM7 - 51.00m 1953 ●
Yashica [Super-]Yashinon 50mm F/1.8 LSMM6 - 53.5 ft.⌀43 1959 ●
Yashica Yashikor 50mm F/2.8 [II] LSMM5 - 40.90m⌀40.5 1959 ●
Yashica Yashikor 50mm F/2.8 [I] LSMM4 - 33.5 ft.⌀40.5 1959 ●
Yasuhara 50mm F/2.8 MC LSMM4 - 30.80m⌀35.5 2001 ●
Zuiho Honor 50mm F/2 LSMM6 - 43.5 ft. 1959 ●
Zuiho Honor 50mm F/1.9 LSMM? - ?3.5 ft.⌀43 1959 ●
Nicca 50mm F/2.8 Type 2 LSMM4 - 33.5 ft.⌀40.5 1958 ●
Nicca 50mm F/2.8 Type 1 LSMM4 - 33.5 ft.⌀34.5 1958 ●
Taylor-Hobson Anastigmat 50mm F/2 LSM • CollapsibleM6 - 43.5 ft. 1951 ●
K.O.L. Xebec 50mm F/2 LSM • Collapsible
akaSun Xebec 50mm F/2 LSM		M6 - 41.00m 1942 ●
Phenix 50mm F/2.8 MC LSM (500 units) • CollapsibleM4 - 30.70m⌀35.5 1999 ●
Lomography x Zenit New Jupiter-3+ 50mm F/1.5 LSMM7 - 30.70m⌀40.5 2016 ●
Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 50mm F/2 T LSM • CollapsibleM6 - 31.00m ●
Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 50mm F/2 T LSMM6 - 31.00m ●
Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 50mm F/1.5 T LSMM7 - 31.00m ●

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FISON / 12510 (1925-1963)

The first Leica hood, for the ELMAR 5cm. In its earliest form it had a simple push-on fit and a rectangular opening at the front. The hood was black and there was an index line on the front part of the barrel to re-align the hood after focusing the lens. By 1933 the opening was round, thus eliminating the need to re-align after focusing. By 1935 the hood had assumed its familiar form with the clamping ring and screw. It was available black or chrome and a chrome version was made by Leitz, New York, and engraved as such. There are many minor variations.

FIKUS / 12530 (1933-1965)

Extendable hood for lenses of focal length 3.5cm to 13.5cm. Outer black sleeve slid over the nickel or chrome graduated sleeve and was locked in position by a set screw. The black lower collar carried the usual clamping ring and screw. Early ones nickel inner sleeve, later ones chrome. Leitz, New York also made an all chrome version. Many variations in engravings: e.g. four focal lengths 13.5cm, 9cm, 5cm and 3.5cm with "Hektor" to the left and "Elmar" to the right of the scale; three focal lengths only with no 3.5cm and only "Elmar" to the left; 13.5, 9 and 5 with two positions for the 5, the lower one having "Hektor" to the left and "Summar" to the right.