Hologon 8/15mm prototype *

A very special, pre-production Carl Zeiss 15mm Hologon f/8 lens for Leica M, in beautiful, near mint condition, with a special finder, original center filter and an original brochure from 1974 showing a lens no.2593021, only a few lenses from this serial number range 259XXX are known to exist, they are all marked as 'Muster' (Sample) in Zeiss delivery records. Oskar Barnack himself moved from Carl Zeiss to Leitz Wetzlar in 1911, where he began the Leica Story. Twenty 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 of that, the few cases of 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. It was offered in the Leitz catalogue as a “Carl Zeiss Hologon for Leica M” until 1975. The Hologon is a lens with a 110° angle of coverage, and almost no distortion, it did show slight vignette, which is compensated with a special center filter. A large bright-line finder 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.