400mm f5 Telyt question....

[michael_ginex1]

Just curious if anyone ever saw this lens with BLACK distance and

aperture rings. I've only seen them in silver, except the one I

purchased last year. If you have any info on this distinctive

variation I'd be grateful.

[jerry_lehrer]

Mike-- Are you talking about the pre-war version of this lens? If so,

the one I used had NICKLE plated rings, not silver or chrome,

 

Jerry

[ronald_moravec1]

Mine was all black, but it was a long time ago I traded for the 6.8.

[michael_ginex1]

Thanks Jerry,

I meant to say silver colored, not necessarily silver. I apologize.

Ron's comment kind of answered my question, unless I eventually wound up with his, which seems an unlikely coincidence. I've been watching the auctions since getting the lens and all I've seen are not all black. My lens is all black with engraved white letters. Looks kind of unique.

[dan flanders]

Frankly, I can't remember the fine details of the one I had. It was a good Visoflex lens but expensive so I unloaded it for an exhorbitant offer. I have since obtained a 500/4.5 Takumar that satisfies my telephoto aspirations.

[eliot_rosen1]

The first version of the Leitz 400/5 (5-element) was all black, very heavy, and had a clip on metal hood and a screw-in front cap. The second version (different optical formula) had a built-in extensible lenshood and was black and chrome. Both versions had a number of barrel variations. The first version is easily recognized because it is all black with four decorative rings and is conical in shape.