Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Makro-Plasmat 35mm f/2.7

Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Makro-Plasmat 35mm f/2.7

The Makro-Plasmat 35mm f/2.7 is a rare prewar wide-angle in an original Leica-compatible screw mount. Its compact focusing barrel is mechanically coupled to the rangefinder and uses an unusually long focus throw to extend the lens into close-focus territory.

Optical Qualities

The Makro-Plasmat uses six elements in four groups in a largely symmetrical optical arrangement. At 35mm it provides a moderate wide-angle view on 35mm film, while the f/2.7 maximum aperture is relatively fast for its period. Rendering from surviving uncoated examples depends strongly on haze, cleaning marks and internal condition.

History

Hugo Meyer of Görlitz produced this Leica-mount Makro-Plasmat generation in 1933. It belongs to the firm's prewar Plasmat family and is one of the least common original third-party wide-angles made for screw-mount Leica cameras.

Handling

A long focusing movement allows the lens to reach approximately 0.7 metres, notably closer than many contemporary coupled wide-angles. The rangefinder remains useful across the normal coupled range, although framing requires a 35mm viewfinder on cameras without suitable built-in framelines.

Compatibility

The documented factory version uses the Leica thread mount, also known as LTM or M39, and is rangefinder coupled. It mounts directly on compatible screw-mount cameras and can be used on Leica M bodies with a suitable adapter.

Sources

• Leitz Photographica Auction, Meyer Görlitz Makro-Plasmat 2.7/3.5cm
• LENS-DB, Hugo Meyer Görlitz Makro-Plasmat 35mm f/2.7 LSM