Carl Zeiss Hologon 8/15mm

near mint Carl Zeiss 15mm Hologon f/8 lens for Leica M, with clean optics (only minimal coating flaws on the rear element), with special finder and original center filter (cond. B+) Oskar Barnack himself moved from Carl Zeiss to Leitz Wetzlar in 1911, where he began the Leica Story. 20 years later, Zeiss announced their own 35 mm camera and became a direct competitor in the photo market with the introduction of the CONTAX in 1932. Nevertheless, the relation of both companies was always respectful. As a particular example for that, the few cases of a direct cooperation can be considered. Zeiss first announced the 15mm Hologon f/8 as a lens fixed to the body of a modified Contarex camera. From 1972 Zeiss also manufactured it for Leitz in Leica M mount. In the Leitz catalogue it was offered as “Carl Zeiss Hologon for Leica M” until 1975. The Hologon is a lens with 110° angle of coverage, and almost without distortion, it did show slight vignetation, compensated with a special center filter. A large bright line finder with waist-level controls was part of the Hologon outfit as well. The lens was produced in very small numbers only; it is a rarity to find a complete set in good condition today.