Leica 11850 M 135mm f/4 Leitz Elmar Lens
The Leica 11850 is a lens from Leica. Used copies start from $242.76 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Leica 11850 M 135mm f/4 Leitz Elmar Lens
Used Leica 11850 Listings on GearFocus
Lens Overview — Leica 11850
Key Features — Leica 11850
135mm Telephoto Focal Length: Offers a narrow field of view suited to portraiture and distant subjects on Leica M rangefinder bodies.
Leica M Mount: Compatible with the full range of M-mount bodies, from vintage film cameras of the same era to modern digital Leica M series.
f/4 Maximum Aperture: A modest but usable maximum aperture typical of telephoto designs from this period.
1960s Leitz Manufacture: Produced during a celebrated decade of German optical craftsmanship, carrying genuine collector and historical significance.
Manual Focus Only: Fully manual operation with a focus ring designed for deliberate, precise use in keeping with the rangefinder shooting tradition.
Rangefinder Coupled Design: Engineered to couple with the Leica M rangefinder mechanism for accurate focus confirmation through the viewfinder.
Lens Specifications — Leica 11850
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Portrait, Landscape, Street, Architecture |
| Lens Mount | Leica M |
| Focus Type | Manual Focus |
Description — Leica 11850
The Leica 11850 M 135mm f/4 Leitz Elmar is a Manual Focus telephoto lens built for the Leica M mount rangefinder system, manufactured during the 1960–1969 era of Leitz optical production. Weighing 500g, this lens offers the solid, deliberate handling that characterizes professional-grade glass from this period. Its 135mm focal length positions it squarely in telephoto territory, making it a practical choice for rangefinder photographers working with subjects at a distance.
Compatible with Leica M mount cameras, it bridges decades of photographic history — equally at home on a vintage film body from its own era or a contemporary M-mount digital camera. As a vintage rangefinder lens, it demands a fully manual approach to focusing, rewarding patient and deliberate photographers. For collectors, the confirmed 1960s manufacture date and Leitz Elmar heritage make this a historically significant piece worth serious consideration.
Pros — Leica 11850
- ✓Leica M mount ensures compatibility with a wide range of M-mount rangefinder bodies
- ✓Manual focus operation suits the deliberate, hands-on rangefinder shooting style
- ✓Solid 500g build weight reflects the substantial construction typical of Leitz craftsmanship from the 1960s
Cons — Leica 11850
- ✗Manual focus only — no autofocus option for photographers who prefer it
- ✗Specifications data is limited, so buyers should inspect the individual lens condition carefully before purchase
- ✗No weather sealing information available in specifications
Videos — Leica 11850
#135/4 LEICA ライカ เมาท์ TELE-ELMAR-M テレ エルマー 135MM F4 (1965 E39) | KEPAGEAR — Kepa