Leica Hektor 135mm f/4.5

Leica Hektor 135mm f/4.5

The Hektor 135mm f/4.5 is one of Leitz's longest-serving classic telephotos, a Max Berek design that began life in screw mount in 1933 and remained in the catalogue, later in M bayonet form, into roughly 1960 before being superseded by the faster and sharper 135mm f/4 Elmar [1][2]. It shares its focal length and speed with the older 135mm Elmar but uses a different optical arrangement, and across its long run it became one of the more affordable ways into a genuine Leitz telephoto, a reputation that persists with collectors and users today[3].

Optically the lens is a compact four-element design in three groups, giving it a relatively simple cell for a long lens of its era. The barrel is slender, with a 39mm filter thread, a fifteen-blade diaphragm that yields a near-circular aperture, and rangefinder coupling for accurate focusing down to about 1.5 m. The M-mount versions couple directly to M-series bodies, while the earlier screw-mount examples can be used on M cameras through a standard 39mm-to-bayonet adapter, which is a common way the older barrels are mounted now. Handling is straightforward but reflects its age: a long, narrow body, modest maximum aperture, and a focusing throw typical of a mid-century telephoto.

The Hektor was produced in more than one finish and mount over its life. Early examples are nickel and then chrome screw-mount lenses, while later production includes two-tone chrome and the M-bayonet versions, documented under model codes including HEFAR / 11035, HEFARCHROM, HEFARKUP and OHEBO / 11040. Because the lens spanned the transition from screw thread to the M bayonet, examples from the mid-1950s onward can be found in both mounts, so the mount and finish are the main points to confirm when identifying a specific copy.

Optical qualities

Rendering Reviewers and collectors broadly agree that the Hektor 135mm draws with a softer, lower-contrast, distinctly vintage character rather than modern clinical sharpness, particularly at its f/4.5 maximum aperture, where it is gentler than the later f/4 Elmar. Contrast and edge definition improve on stopping down, and the lens is generally described as well behaved for distortion. Its uncoated and early-coated examples are more prone to flare and veiling in difficult light, in line with its production era, so the rendering is often valued for portrait and atmospheric use rather than peak resolution.

History

Development and Launch The Hektor 135mm f/4.5 was introduced by Ernst Leitz of Wetzlar in 1933 as part of the early Leica telephoto range, designed under Max Berek. It offered the same 135mm focal length and f/4.5 speed as the contemporary 135mm Elmar but with a distinct optical layout, positioning it as a comparatively economical long lens in the system.

Production Evolution The lens remained in production for a long span, moving from screw mount to the M bayonet after the M3 was introduced, and appearing in nickel, chrome and two-tone finishes over time. Leitz catalogued it under several model codes including HEFAR / 11035, HEFARCHROM, HEFARKUP and OHEBO / 11040. Production is generally reported to have ended around 1960, when the 135mm f/4 Elmar took its place in the lineup.

Collector Notes When buying, the main checks are mount type (screw versus M), finish, and the usual condition concerns for lenses of this age: internal haze, cleaning marks, and the state of any early coating, all of which affect contrast and flare. Screw-mount copies require an adapter for use on M bodies, and matching period accessories such as the correct hood, caps and 39mm filters add to collector value. Published production-date ranges and end dates vary slightly between sources, so serial-number references should be treated as approximate.