Enna

Est. 1920

Enna

Enna, also known as Enna-Werk München and Enna München, was a German optical manufacturer founded by engineer Alfred Neumann. The company produced photographic lenses, projection equipment, technical optics, and optical components for other manufacturers. Enna became particularly prominent during the 1950s and 1960s, when it developed interchangeable lenses for rangefinder cameras and single-lens reflex cameras.

For LeicaLensList, Enna is relevant through its rare original Leica Thread Mount lenses, particularly the rangefinder-coupled Ennaston 85mm f/1.5 and related Ennalyt and Lithagon SII versions. Enna also produced other LTM lenses, including versions of the Tele-Ennalyt 135mm f/3.5. These genuine Leica screw-mount lenses must be distinguished from mechanically similar M39 lenses made for cameras such as the Braun Paxette, which use a different flange focal distance.

History

Founding / Early Years

Enna was established in Munich in 1920 by engineer Alfred Neumann as an optical institute producing photographic objectives and other optical components. The name Enna is generally explained as a phonetic rendering of Neumann’s initials, N.A., although an alternative account connects the name with Neumann’s daughter Anne.

During its early decades, Enna primarily operated as an original equipment manufacturer. It supplied lenses and optical components that were sold under the names of larger photography equipment and projection companies, including Kodak and Liesegang. Enna did not begin selling substantial numbers of photographic lenses under its own name until the postwar period.

Dr. Werner Appelt, Neumann’s son-in-law, joined the company in 1927. The Munich factory was destroyed during air raids in 1944, and operations were temporarily relocated to Ebersberg, east of Munich. Alfred Neumann died in 1945, after which Appelt assumed management of the business.

The company rebuilt its Munich operation in 1948 at Konradinstraße. Its formal name subsequently included the Appelt family, while Enna remained the principal name engraved on its photographic lenses.

Market Entry

Enna began selling lenses under its own name in 1950. In 1952, it entered the interchangeable-lens rangefinder camera market. This period produced some of the company’s most important Leica screw-mount lenses, including the fast Ennaston 85mm f/1.5 portrait lens.

Original Ennaston 85mm f/1.5 examples are documented with a rangefinder-coupled M39 Leica screw mount. Related 85mm f/1.5 lenses were also sold under Ennalyt and Lithagon SII names. These lenses were produced in several mounts, so the model name alone does not establish Leica compatibility.

In 1953, Enna began developing a broad range of lenses for single-lens reflex cameras, eventually covering focal lengths from approximately 24mm to 600mm. The early Lithagon 35mm lenses helped establish Enna as a West German pioneer in retrofocus wide-angle lens design.

Enna supplied lenses to numerous camera manufacturers and distributors, including Alpa, Argus, Balda, Braun, Corfield, Dacora, Edixa, Ihagee, Leidolf, Photavit, Porst, and Photo Quelle. Some lenses were sold under alternative brand names, particularly in export markets.

Expansion / Modern Period

Enna’s most technically productive period occurred during the 1950s and early 1960s. The company introduced the Ultra-Lithagon 28mm f/3.5 at Photokina in 1956. This was among the earliest 28mm retrofocus lenses designed for 35mm SLR cameras.

In 1957, the engraving Enna-Werk München was gradually replaced by Enna München. In 1958, the company introduced the Enna Sockel system, an interchangeable optical and aperture base that allowed compatible lens units to be used with adapters for camera mounts including M42, Exakta, and Praktina.

The Super-Lithagon 35mm f/1.9 was also introduced during this period. At the time, it was among the fastest wide-angle lenses available for a 35mm SLR camera. Enna optical designer Hans Lautenbacher received patents relating to the company’s retrofocus wide-angle designs.

In 1961, Enna introduced the Tele-Zoom 85-250mm f/4, one of the earliest commercially produced telephoto zoom lenses for 35mm still photography. The company also began manufacturing slide projectors. By 1964, Enna had produced its four-millionth photographic lens.

Increasing competition from Japanese optical manufacturers led Enna to diversify. The company established plastic injection moulding and toolmaking divisions during the 1960s, opened a facility in Wegscheid in 1968, and expanded its production of slide-projector equipment and plastic components.

Lens and manufacturing operations in Munich ended in 1986, with remaining activities transferred to Wegscheid. Enna sold its optics division in 1991 and concentrated on plastics, tooling, and industrial manufacturing. Limited optical production resumed in 1997, but the company did not return to large-scale consumer camera lens production.

Product Lines

Leica Thread Mount Lenses

Enna produced a small number of genuine Leica Thread Mount lenses during the 1950s and 1960s. The best documented is the Ennaston 85mm f/1.5, a fast portrait lens offered in an original rangefinder-coupled M39 mount.

Related Ennalyt 85mm f/1.5 and Lithagon SII 85mm f/1.5 lenses are also documented in original coupled Leica screw mounts. Enna additionally offered LTM versions of longer lenses, including the Tele-Ennalyt 135mm f/3.5.

Not every M39 Enna lens is an LTM lens. Enna made lenses for the Braun Paxette and other leaf-shutter rangefinder cameras that used a 39mm thread but a longer flange focal distance. These lenses cannot focus correctly on Leica cameras without mechanical modification.

Ennaston and Ennalyt Lenses

Ennaston was used for normal and short telephoto lenses during Enna’s early postwar period. The name is especially associated with the rare Ennaston 85mm f/1.5, although Ennaston lenses were also produced in other focal lengths and mounts.

Ennalyt gradually became one of Enna’s principal lens names. It appeared on standard lenses, portrait lenses, and short telephoto lenses. Tele-Ennalyt was generally used for longer focal lengths, including 135mm, 240mm, and 400mm models.

Lithagon Wide-Angle Lenses

Lithagon identified many of Enna’s retrofocus wide-angle lenses. The family included several 35mm models, followed by wider lenses designed for SLR cameras.

Ultra-Lithagon was used for advanced wide-angle designs such as the 28mm f/3.5. Super-Lithagon generally identified faster models, including the 35mm f/1.9. Some later or uncommon lenses received Lithagon branding even when their focal length did not follow the company’s normal naming convention.

Enna Sockel System

The Enna Sockel was an intermediate mounting system introduced in 1958. A complete lens unit fitted into a separate base that provided the camera mount and aperture mechanism.

Sockel adapters were produced for systems including M42, Exakta, and Praktina. The concept allowed photographers to use several Enna lens units with different camera systems, although it was not designed as a Leica M or LTM adapter system.

OEM and Rebranded Lenses

Enna was an important supplier of lenses to other camera manufacturers and photographic retailers. Products appeared under names associated with Argus, Braun, Edixa, Porst, Revue, Sandmar, and other brands.

Because Enna manufactured both complete lenses and optical components for outside companies, identifying the original manufacturer may require comparison of optical construction, barrel design, serial numbers, and period catalogues.

Projection and Technical Optics

Enna produced slide projectors, projection lenses, optical components, and specialized industrial equipment. As consumer camera production declined, technical optics, plastic moulding, assembly, and toolmaking became increasingly important parts of the company’s business.

Technical Characteristics

Feature	Description
Manufacturer names	Enna, Enna-Werk München, Enna München, and Enna-Werk Optische Anstalt Dr. Appelt.
Country of origin	Germany, initially based in Munich, with later manufacturing in Wegscheid.
Reference lens	Ennaston 85mm f/1.5, a fast portrait lens documented in an original rangefinder-coupled Leica screw mount.
Leica-compatible mount	Genuine M39 Leica Thread Mount lenses were produced, including coupled 85mm f/1.5 and 135mm lenses.
Rangefinder coupling	Original coupled Ennaston, Ennalyt, and Lithagon SII 85mm f/1.5 examples are documented. Coupling should be verified for every individual lens.
Leica M compatibility	A genuine LTM version can be used on a Leica M camera with an appropriate LTM-to-M adapter. Enna did not establish a regular native Leica M-mount lens line.
M39 compatibility warning	M39 lenses made for Paxette cameras use a different flange focal distance and are not Leica Thread Mount lenses, despite having a similar screw thread.
Other camera mounts	Enna produced lenses for M42, Exakta, Praktina, Alpa, Braun Paxette, Edixa, Enna Sockel, and several proprietary camera systems.
Optical designs	Enna manufactured triplet, Tessar-type, double-Gauss, telephoto, retrofocus, and zoom designs. Construction differs substantially between lens families.
Wide-angle development	Lithagon, Ultra-Lithagon, and Super-Lithagon lenses established Enna as an important early West German developer of retrofocus SLR lenses.
Lens coatings	Postwar Enna lenses commonly used coated optics. Coating color and markings vary by model, production period, and market.
Construction	Early lenses generally use metal barrels. Later lenses may incorporate lighter metals, plastics, automatic aperture mechanisms, or interchangeable Sockel bases.
Serial numbers	Enna used running serial numbers, but no complete and universally accepted serial-number chronology is available. The four-millionth lens was produced in 1964.
Identification	The front-ring engraving, mount, rangefinder cam, flange distance, focusing scale, serial number, and barrel design should all be checked before assigning a lens to a specific version.

Market Reception

Enna was one of the more innovative independent West German optical manufacturers of the 1950s and 1960s. Its historical reputation is based particularly on early retrofocus wide-angle lenses, fast portrait lenses, adaptable SLR equipment, and one of the first practical telephoto zoom lenses for 35mm photography.

The Ennaston 85mm f/1.5 and its related Ennalyt and Lithagon SII versions occupy a distinctive position among vintage Leica rangefinder lenses. Original rangefinder-coupled LTM examples are scarce and receive substantial collector interest, especially when accompanied by an original hood, case, caps, or other period accessories.

Enna’s more common SLR and Paxette lenses generally occupy a more accessible segment of the vintage camera market. However, unusual mounts, early chrome finishes, rare focal lengths, and fast maximum apertures can significantly affect collectibility.

For LeicaLensList classification, original LTM lenses should be separated from Paxette M39 lenses, SLR lenses, Enna Sockel optics, and modern conversions. A converted Enna lens may be usable on a Leica M camera, but it should not be described as an original Leica screw-mount or native M-mount lens without supporting evidence.

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