Rodenstock Heligon 35mm f/2.8

Rodenstock Heligon 35mm f/2.8

The Heligon 35mm f/2.8 is a scarce Rodenstock wide-angle made in a native, rangefinder-coupled Leica screw mount. Its six-element, four-group construction and compact chrome barrel place it among the more unusual independent 35mm options of the early 1950s.

Optical qualities

Rendering

The six-element, four-group optical layout was designed to cover the 35mm frame at a moderately bright f/2.8 aperture. Period performance should be expected to depend on sample condition, especially coating condition, internal haze and centering.

Handling

The rangefinder-coupled M39 barrel focuses to about 1 metre. Surviving specifications identify an A36 accessory fitting, so a conventional threaded filter diameter is not entered.

History

Development and Launch

The documented factory M39 example dates to 1951. It belongs to Rodenstock's postwar Heligon family and was offered as an independent wide-angle option for Leica screw-mount cameras.

Production Evolution

Evidence confirms the original coupled Leica-mount Heligon A barrel. A broader sequence of mechanical revisions is not sufficiently documented for separate profiles.

Special Editions/Variants

The letter A appears in the period model engraving. It is retained as a model-number variant rather than used to split the lens into another optical profile.

Collector Notes

Native coupled M39 examples are rare. The original focusing mount and the Heligon A engraving help distinguish them from later conversions or adapted cells.