Filter size: Non-standard conical filters. Leica made an adapter to 39mm filters coded SNHOO. There are new production SNHOO adapters available from HeavyStar.
Close focus: 3.5 feet or 1 meter
Aperture range: f/2 - f/16 (no detents)
Aperture blades: 10 rounded (late versions have 6)
Depth of field scale for f/2 - f/16, and IR index.
Comments: Collapsible, makes a nice compact shooting package with the IIIf. Has infinity lock, slip-on metal lens cap. I lucked out to get a coated version (earlier ones are uncoated) with 10 aperture blades (later ones have 6) from Adorama. It is also in good physical condition. Most have cleaning marks due to soft coatings. I did have my sample CLA'd, though, the aperture ring was little tight (oily diaphragm) and the focusing ring was dry and uneven.
I wish this lens had standard filter threads, but as mentioned above there is an inexpensive modern adapter available which is basically a must for this lens if you want to use standard 39mm filters.
The lens has...character. Generally it is not especially sharp, has fairly low contrast, and doesn't handle backlighting very well. However, it has wonderful tonality and a good look. I am rather attracted to its 'swirly' out of focus areas - it has a sort of cats' eye look rather than circular. Surprising good portrait lens.
More information: Ken Rockwell, Steve Huff, More Steve Huff
Sample photographs:
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