Dallmeyer

Est. 1860

Dallmeyer

Dallmeyer, formally known as J. H. Dallmeyer Ltd., was a British optical manufacturer based in London, England. Founded by John Henry Dallmeyer, the company became one of the most important names in nineteenth and twentieth-century photographic optics. Dallmeyer produced portrait lenses, rapid rectilinear lenses, wide-angle lenses, telephoto lenses, cinema lenses, projection lenses, aerial lenses, and specialist optical instruments.

In the Leica-compatible rangefinder context, Dallmeyer is relevant because of rare British-made lenses produced in Leica screw mount, L39, and M39, especially the Dallmeyer Dallac 8.5cm f/2. The company is also relevant to modern Leica M photographers through the revived Dallmeyer Super-Six 50mm f/1.9 in Leica M mount, a limited-production rangefinder-coupled lens based on the historic Super-Six optical concept.

Dallmeyer should be treated as a historically important optical make rather than a dedicated Leica-system manufacturer. Most Dallmeyer lenses were made for large-format cameras, cine cameras, projection systems, aerial cameras, scientific use, or other photographic systems. Only confirmed Leica screw mount, Leica M-mount, or rangefinder-coupled examples should be entered as Leica-compatible lenses.

History

Founding / Early Years

J. H. Dallmeyer was founded in 1860 by John Henry Dallmeyer, a German-born optician who had worked in London with the optical firm of Andrew Ross. Dallmeyer married Ross’s daughter and inherited the telescope-making part of the Ross business after Ross’s death. From this foundation, he established his own independent optical workshop and began producing photographic and scientific lenses under the Dallmeyer name.

During the 1860s, Dallmeyer quickly became known for high-quality optical design. The company produced portrait lenses, landscape lenses, microscope objectives, telescope optics, and photographic lenses. John Henry Dallmeyer was also associated with important improvements in photographic lens design, including wide-angle and rectilinear lens types.

Rapid Rectilinear and Nineteenth-Century Growth

One of Dallmeyer’s most important contributions was the Rapid Rectilinear lens, introduced in the 1860s. This design helped reduce distortion while providing useful speed for general photography. It became one of the major nineteenth-century lens types and was influential in the transition from specialized portrait and landscape lenses to more practical general-purpose photographic optics.

Dallmeyer lenses gained international recognition and were used in portrait studios, landscape photography, scientific work, and astronomical photography. The company’s reputation grew during a period when British optical makers such as Ross, Dallmeyer, Taylor, Taylor & Hobson, and Wray were central to the development of photographic lens manufacturing.

Thomas Rudolphus Dallmeyer and Continued Expansion

After John Henry Dallmeyer’s death in 1883, the business was continued by his son Thomas Rudolphus Dallmeyer. Under Thomas Dallmeyer, the company continued developing photographic lenses and expanded into telephoto lens design, an area where the Dallmeyer name became especially important.

Dallmeyer telephoto lenses were used in scientific, military, landscape, and press photography. The company also produced many specialist lens types for large-format cameras and early photographic systems. This period established Dallmeyer as one of the best-known British lens makers.

Cinema, Aerial, and Specialist Optics

In the twentieth century, Dallmeyer became known not only for still-camera lenses but also for cinema lenses, aerial lenses, projection lenses, and technical optics. The company produced lenses for motion picture cameras, military aerial reconnaissance, industrial imaging, and scientific use.

The Super-Six series became one of the most famous Dallmeyer lens families. These lenses were valued for speed, distinctive rendering, and smooth transitions. Original Super-Six lenses were made in different mounts and formats, including cine and still-camera applications, and later became sought after by photographers interested in vintage lens character.

Leica Screw Mount and Dallac Lenses

Dallmeyer’s most important original Leica-compatible lens is the Dallac 8.5cm f/2, also written as 85mm f/2 Dallac. Surviving examples are known in Leica L39 / M39 screw mount, with rangefinder coupling. Some examples are marked with military or dealer-related markings, and auction records show original coupled Leica M39 versions from the 1940s.

The Dallac 8.5cm f/2 is generally described as a fast British short telephoto lens for 35mm rangefinder photography. It is rare, highly collectible, and belongs to the small group of British Leica screw mount lenses, alongside lenses connected to makers such as Taylor, Taylor & Hobson, Wray, and Reid & Sigrist.

Later Ownership and Brand Survival

Dallmeyer continued through several ownership changes in the later twentieth century. The historic company name became connected to specialist optics and later corporate optical groups. While the original high-volume photographic lens period had ended, the Dallmeyer name remained important among collectors of antique lenses, cine lenses, aerial lenses, and vintage photographic optics.

In the modern period, the Dallmeyer name has reappeared through new Leica M-mount lenses such as the Dallmeyer Super-Six 50mm f/1.9. This modern lens is rangefinder-coupled, designed for Leica M cameras, and presented as a limited-production continuation or revival of the Super-Six optical identity.

Product Lines

Leica Screw Mount Lenses

The most important Leica-compatible historic Dallmeyer lens is the Dallac 8.5cm f/2 in Leica screw mount. Known examples are rangefinder-coupled and appear in original L39 / M39 mounts. This lens is rare and should be treated as a significant British Leica screw mount telephoto lens.

Dallac Lenses

The Dallac name is associated with Dallmeyer short telephoto lenses, most notably the 8.5cm f/2 version. The Leica screw mount Dallac is especially valuable because of its rarity, fast aperture, British manufacture, and original rangefinder coupling.

Super-Six Lenses

The Super-Six series is one of Dallmeyer’s most famous lens families. These lenses are associated with fast apertures, smooth rendering, and vintage character. Original Super-Six lenses appeared in several mounts and formats, while the modern Super-Six 50mm f/1.9 Leica M brings the name into the current rangefinder market.

Portrait and Soft-Focus Lenses

Dallmeyer produced many portrait lenses and soft-focus lenses for studio photography. These lenses are important in nineteenth and early twentieth-century photographic history, especially among large-format and alternative-process photographers.

Rapid Rectilinear and Landscape Lenses

The Rapid Rectilinear and related landscape lenses were central to Dallmeyer’s early success. These lenses helped establish the company as one of the leading British optical manufacturers of the nineteenth century.

Telephoto and Dallon Lenses

Dallmeyer was important in early telephoto lens development. The company produced Dallon telephoto lenses and other long-focus lenses for large-format, military, scientific, and field photography. Most of these are not Leica-system lenses, but they are important to the company’s optical identity.

Cinema, Projection, and Aerial Lenses

Dallmeyer also produced cine lenses, projection lenses, aerial reconnaissance lenses, and specialist technical optics. These product lines made the company important beyond still photography and contributed to its long collector reputation.

Modern Leica M-Mount Lenses

The modern Dallmeyer Super-Six 50mm f/1.9 is a rangefinder-coupled Leica M-mount lens. It is a limited-production lens designed for modern Leica M cameras and mirrorless cameras, while referencing the historic Super-Six rendering style.

Technical Characteristics

Feature Description
Company Type British optical manufacturer.
Full Name J. H. Dallmeyer Ltd.
Founder John Henry Dallmeyer.
Historic Base London, England.
Main Products Photographic lenses, portrait lenses, rapid rectilinear lenses, telephoto lenses, cine lenses, projection lenses, aerial lenses, and specialist optics.
Leica-Compatible Relevance Rare Dallac 8.5cm f/2 L39 / M39 lenses and modern Super-Six 50mm f/1.9 Leica M lenses.
Important Leica Screw Mount Lens Dallmeyer Dallac 8.5cm f/2.
Important Modern Leica M Lens Dallmeyer Super-Six 50mm f/1.9.
Relevant Mounts Leica screw mount, L39, M39, Leica M-mount on confirmed examples.
Rangefinder Coupling Present on known Dallac 8.5cm f/2 L39 examples and the modern Super-Six 50mm f/1.9 Leica M lens.
Important Lens Names Dallac, Super-Six, Dallon, Rapid Rectilinear, Stigmatic, Pentac, Adon.
Optical Character Often associated with vintage rendering, smooth transitions, lower contrast than modern lenses, distinctive bokeh, and classic British optical character.
Collector Caution Most Dallmeyer lenses are not Leica lenses. Only confirmed L39, M39, Leica M, or rangefinder-coupled examples should be treated as Leica-compatible.
Related Historical Context British optical industry, Ross, Taylor, Taylor & Hobson, Cooke, Wray, Reid & Sigrist, aerial and cine lens production.

Market Reception

Dallmeyer has a strong reputation among collectors of historic photographic lenses. The company is respected for its role in nineteenth-century optical innovation, its portrait and rapid rectilinear lenses, its telephoto lens development, and its later cine and aerial optics. Many Dallmeyer lenses are collected for their rendering character rather than modern technical perfection.

Among Leica and rangefinder collectors, Dallmeyer occupies a smaller but highly desirable niche. The Dallac 8.5cm f/2 in Leica screw mount is rare, expensive, and historically important because it represents a British-made fast short telephoto lens for the Leica L39 system. It is usually valued for rarity, construction, British optical heritage, and distinctive rendering.

The modern Dallmeyer Super-Six 50mm f/1.9 Leica M has renewed interest in the brand among Leica M users. Its appeal comes from combining the historic Super-Six name with rangefinder coupling and modern Leica M usability. At the same time, original Dallmeyer lenses and modern revived Dallmeyer-branded lenses should be documented separately, because their production context, ownership, mechanics, and market position are different.

Dallmeyer should be included as a valid make in a Leica-compatible lens database, but with careful scope control. The make is historically broad, while its Leica-system relevance is concentrated in a small number of confirmed L39, M39, and Leica M-mount lenses.

Sources

Lenses (1)

Filters 1 results
Make Model Price Focal Length Aperture Release year Diameter (mm) Length (mm) Weight (g) Min focus distance Elements Groups Filter diameter (mm) MountModel number(s)Actions
DallmeyerDalrac 13.5cm f/4.5 LTM€6941354.51952———1.52 m43—LTM / M39Dalrac, Dalrac 13.5cm f/4.5, Dallmeyer 135mm f/4.5