Leotax Letana Anastigmat 50mm f/3.5 (Collapsible)

Leotax Letana Anastigmat 50mm f/3.5 (Collapsible)

The Letana Anastigmat 50mm f/3.5 is an early Japanese collapsible standard lens supplied with Leotax rangefinder cameras. Its nickel-finished barrel, Leica-compatible screw mount and coupled focusing represent Japan's wartime development of precision 35mm camera equipment.

Optical Qualities

Research based on a dismantled example identifies the Letana as a three-element, three-group triplet rather than the four-element formula sometimes attributed to it. The 50mm focal length gives a natural standard-lens perspective on 35mm film. Results from surviving examples depend heavily on coating and optical condition.

History

The Letana was made by Fujita Kogaku Kikai and supplied by Showa Kogaku with the Leotax Special A and Special B. These coupled-rangefinder models appeared in 1942. Auction records document original nickel-finished M39 examples on surviving Leotax cameras from the wartime and immediate post-war period.

Handling

The lens collapses into the camera body for storage and extends for use. Its focusing mechanism is mechanically coupled to the camera rangefinder. Reliable minimum-focus and filter specifications are not consistently documented and are therefore left open.

Compatibility

Original examples use the Leica thread mount, also known as LTM or M39. They can be mounted directly on compatible screw-mount rangefinders and used on Leica M cameras with a suitable adapter. Clearance should be checked before collapsing the lens into a digital camera body.

Sources

• Leitz Photographica Auction, Showa Kogaku Leotax Special with Letana
• Japanese Leica Copies, Leotax rangefinder cameras and lenses