C.P. Goerz Citograph 35mm f/8

C.P. Goerz Citograph 35mm f/8 Leica M

The C.P. Goerz Citograph 35mm f/8 Leica M is a modern fixed-focus hyperfocal lens made for Leica M and other camera mounts. It was launched through Kickstarter in 2017 as an "always-in-focus" street photography lens, using a 35mm focal length, fixed f/8 disc aperture, and a focusing range from 3 m to infinity [1]. The Leica M version is relevant for LeicaLensList because it is a native M-Mount lens, but it is not rangefinder coupled and does not focus through the camera rangefinder.

The lens uses a simple 4-element, 3-group optical construction and was designed as an extremely thin pancake-style lens. Published specifications list a 58 mm diameter, 23 mm length, M37×0.75 filter thread, and weight of about 120 g [1][2]. Because it has no focusing helicoid and no adjustable diaphragm, handling is closer to a body-cap hyperfocal lens than a conventional Leica M lens. It is intended for quick street photography, zone-style shooting, and spontaneous use where focusing speed is prioritized over close-focus flexibility.

For collectors, the Citograph 35mm f/8 is best understood as a modern revival-brand lens rather than a historical C.P. Goerz Berlin product from the original prewar company. The revived C.P. Goerz name was used for a Kickstarter-era project connected to Benedikt Hartmann and the wider modern revival-lens movement [3]. The lens should be kept separate from original Goerz lenses, the later Citograph 50mm f/2.8 project, and any non-M versions made for DSLR or mirrorless mounts.

History

Development and Launch

The Citograph 35mm f/8 was introduced on Kickstarter in July 2017 as a fixed-focus 35mm lens intended for street photography [1][3]. The concept was built around hyperfocal use, with a 35mm focal length, f/8 disc aperture, and fixed focus from 3 m to infinity. The project was promoted as a way to simplify photography by removing conventional focusing and aperture operation [1].

Production Evolution

Leica Rumors reported in January 2018 that the first Citograph lenses were arriving from production and repeated the official technical specification, including 4 elements in 3 groups, M37×0.75 filter thread, 58 mm by 23 mm dimensions, and approximately 120 g weight [1]. A later One Of Many Cameras listing confirms the Leica M version with the same core technical specification, including 35 mm focal length, 4 elements in 3 groups, 3 m to infinity focusing, and M37×0.75 filter thread [2]. A confirmed production end year is not documented.

Special Variants

The Citograph 35mm f/8 was offered in multiple mounts, including Leica M, Nikon, Canon, Sony, Micro Four Thirds, and Fuji [1][2]. These mount versions should not be merged for LeicaLensList, because only the Leica M version belongs in the M-Mount database. No confirmed Leica M color variants, limited finish variants, or optical revisions are widely documented.

Collector Notes

Collectors should verify that the lens is the Leica M version and not a Sony E, Fuji X, Micro Four Thirds, Nikon, or Canon mount copy. Important checks include the native M bayonet, fixed-focus design, absence of rangefinder coupling, M37×0.75 filter thread, clean rear element, complete caps, and correct Citograph engraving. Since the lens is fixed from 3 m to infinity, it should not be evaluated like a normal rangefinder-coupled 35mm M lens. Close-focus use requires accepting blur or adapting the lens to a camera with live view and checking actual focus behavior.

Sources

• [1] Leica Rumors. C.P. Goerz Citograph 35mm f/8 “always-in-focus” lens for Leica M-mount. https://leicarumors.com/2018/01/17/c-p-goerz-citograph-35mm-f-8-always-in-focus-lens-for-leica-m-mount.aspx/
• [2] One Of Many Cameras. C.P. Goerz 35mm f8 Citograph Hyperfocal, Leica M. https://oneofmanycameras.com/products/c-p-goerz-35mm-f8-citograph-hyperfocal-leica-m
• [3] PhotoRumors. C.P. Goerz Citograph 35mm f/8 always-in-focus lens officially launched on Kickstarter. https://photorumors.com/2017/07/06/c-p-goerz-citograph-35mm-f8-always-in-focus-lens-officially-launched-on-kickstarter/
• [4] Kickstarter. The world’s first, fastest & coolest always-in-focus lens. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/126995799/the-worlds-first-fastest-and-coolest-always-in-foc