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Model history (2)

Specification

Sources of data

• Interchangeable lenses are giving your LEICA new perspective booklet (PUB. 11-34) (April 1960).
• Leica lenses booklet (PUB. 1356) (March 1950).

Manufacturer description #1

The "long arm" of this focal length puts your LEICA right in the center of anything that is going on. A 135 mm. lens magnifies 2.7 times compared to the "normal" image of a 50 mm. lens. That makes it easy for you to get large close-ups of sporting events right from the grandstand, or to record in full detail high and inaccessible architectural feature of old buildings. A chain of hills which may appear vaguely in the background with a normal focal length lens becomes an impressive mountain range in a HEKTOR shot. The long focus also permits you to photograph small animals, birds, and insects from an appreciable distance. You need never disturb them. [...] you can use the lens unit of the 135 mm. HEKTOR by itself on the VISOFLEX focusing housing and with the universal focusing bellows. The variable extension of the bellows attachment allows continuous focusing from infinity to life-size reproduction.

Manufacturer description #2

This lens possesses the same focal length and speed of the ELMAR 135mm f:4.5. Its design, however, is somewhat different, as it incorporates an astonishing color-correction and flatness of field. The ultimate in a telephoto lens for the LEICA.

Manufacturer description #3

Hektor 135mm., f/4.5 (5 3/8"), angle 18 deg., constitutes a triplet variant with a converging cemented surface inserted in the central member. This cement surface is an additional source of important correction possibilities which have been extensively used in this objective. The general correction is therefore excellent and the performance outstanding.

Maximum resolution capacity combined with perfect contrast are the qualities which make this objective particularly suitable for photographs requiring sharp rendition of finest structural details. For the rest, it meets all the requirements demanded of a good distance objective. The performance of the system is excellent at full aperture, so that reduction of the aperture is necessary only when increased depth of focus seems desirable. In a special short mount, it can be used with the Mirror Reflex Housing.

Manufacturer description #4

The Leitz Hektor 135mm. (5 3/8"), F:4.5 lens has an exceptionally high resolving power and should be used where subjects of fine structure are to be photographed. It fulfills perfectly all that the photographer demands for a long-focus lens, being suitable not only for distant landscapes and scientific work, but also of great value for portraits-particularly head studies-and for fine details of architecture, which must necessarily be photographed from some distance. In addition, the 135mm. Hektor lens has extremely good color correction, and is thus particularly fitted for work with color films, and for use with infra-red films and a red filter.

Manufacturer description #5

A very versatile lens, with which the picture area can be filled from an even greater working distance than with the 90mm lens. Its special value is in sports photography, in recording fine detail in architecture, and in photographing people and animals from a distance unobserved. Distance is brought near, and foreshortened perspective can give surprising pictorial effects.

Manufacturer description #6

From the LEICA photography magazine (Spring 1950, Vol. 3, No. 9):

The Hektor 135mm., F:4.5 coated long focus lens is now available in the special short mount, OHEBO, (No. 65,740) for attachment to the Mirror Reflex Housing allowing the Hektor to be focused throughout its normal range. Although the OHEBO may not be used directly on the camera in the usual way, it can be used on the Focaslide for certain set-ups.

Owners of the regular long-focus Hektor 135mm., lenses (of either pre- or post-war manufacture) can obtain the short-mount itself, ZOOAN, (No. 65,760) on special order from their Leica Franchised Dealer.

Manufacturer description #7

From the LEICA photography magazine (Christmas 1950, Vol. 3, No. 12):

The popular Hektor 135mm. long focus lens is now clad in a new chrome lightweight mount weighing only 13 1/2 ozs. Attractive in appearance and attractive as its new price of $175.00.

From the editor

Coated from No. 590551 (1946). International aperture scale instead of European from 1947. Vulcanite trim was added to the non-rotating base part of the mount in 1949. All chrome version with vulcanite trim was introduced in 1950.

According to the General Catalogue (July 1977), lenses with serial numbers up to 1,416,000 use A36 filters while lenses from No. 1,416,001 use E39 filters.

The lens hood FISON / 12510 is listed as suitable for this lens in the "Leica: The camera of modern times" booklet (PUB 1244 - 4th ed. W-11-36-CC).

Other medium telephoto prime lenses in the Leica SM system

Lenses with similar focal length