Fujifilm

Fujifilm Holdings Corporation (formerly Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.) is a Japanese multinational photography and imaging company. While currently dominant in the APS-C and Medium Format mirrorless markets (X-Series and GFX), Fujifilm holds a prestigious, albeit smaller, place in the history of Leica M-mount photography. Between the late 1940s and late 1950s, the company produced a limited run of "Fujinon" branded lenses in LTM (Leica Thread Mount).

For collectors, Fujinon LTM lenses are significantly rarer than contemporary optics from Canon or Nikon. They are renowned for their exceptional build quality and unique optical formulas that pushed the boundaries of speed for the time, most notably the legendary Fujinon 5cm f/1.2, which remains one of the most sought-after vintage Japanese lenses in existence.

History

Fujifilm's entry into the lens market was driven by the post-war industrial boom in Japan, where domestic manufacturers sought to compete with German optical giants.

The LTM Era (1948 to 1960)

Founded on January 20, 1934, Fujifilm initially focused on film stock production. However, by the late 1940s, they began manufacturing high-grade optics. Unlike Canon or Nikon, who produced their own rangefinder camera bodies (the Canon IV/V/VI and Nikon S series), Fujifilm primarily supplied lenses for other manufacturers. Their LTM lenses were frequently paired with Leotax cameras, a high-quality Japanese Leica copy. This OEM relationship means that Fujinon LTM lenses are often found attached to Leotax bodies rather than sold separately.

The TX-1 / XPan Experiment (1998)

While not strictly M-mount, Fujifilm's partnership with Hasselblad in the late 1990s produced the Fujifilm TX-1 (known worldwide as the Hasselblad XPan). This dual-format rangefinder camera used a proprietary bayonet but reignited global interest in rangefinder photography just before the digital transition.

Product Lines (LTM Compatible)

Fujinon LTM lenses are characterized by their all-metal chrome construction and high-density glass. They are fully compatible with Leica M cameras via a standard LTM-to-M adapter.

The "Grail" (5cm f/1.2)

The Fujinon 5cm (50mm) f/1.2 is the crown jewel of the lineup.

• Rarity: With estimated production numbers below 1,000 units, it is significantly rarer than the Canon 50mm f/1.2.
• Optics: It features an 8-element design that was incredibly advanced for 1954.
• Rendering: Unlike the soft, glowing Canon f/1.2, the Fujinon is known for maintaining higher contrast and sharpness in the center, even wide open, with a distinct, pleasing bokeh that avoids the "nervousness" of some period competitors.

The Standard Primes (5cm)

• Fujinon 5cm f/2: The most "common" Fujinon LTM lens, often found as the kit lens for the Leotax F series. It utilizes a 6-element design similar to the Summitar/Summicron. It is prized today for its high resolving power and neutral color rendition, which was superior to many yellowing thorium lenses of the era.
• Fujinon 5cm f/2.8: A tessar-type design, compact and sharp, often overlooked but an excellent performer for street photography.

The Wide & Telephoto

• Fujinon 3.5cm (35mm) f/2: A highly desirable fast wide-angle lens. In the 1950s, f/2 was considered extremely fast for a 35mm lens. This lens is a direct competitor to the Canon 35mm f/1.8 but is far harder to find on the used market.
• Fujinon 10cm (100mm) f/2: A fast portrait telephoto. Its f/2 aperture was unusually bright for a 100mm lens of that period (most were f/3.5 or f/4), making it a massive piece of glass designed for low-light stage and portrait work.

Technical Specifications

Feature	Specification Details
Focus Type	Manual Focus (Rangefinder Coupled)
Native Mount	Leica Thread Mount (LTM / M39)
M-Mount Compatibility	100% Compatible via LTM-to-M adapter ring
Markings	Engraved "Fujinon"
Build Materials	Solid Brass with Satin Chrome Finish
Aperture	Manual Clicked Aperture (typically up to f/22)
Filter Thread	43mm (common on 5cm f/2), varies by model
Coatings	Single Coated (Early), EBC (Electron Beam Coating) not present on LTM models

Why Photographers Choose Fujifilm LTM

• Collector Status: Due to their scarcity and association with the Leotax brand, Fujinon LTM lenses are true collector items. Owning a clean 5cm f/1.2 is considered a "grail" achievement for Japanese lens collectors.
• Optical Clarity: Users often report that Fujinon glass from this era is less prone to the severe haze and separation that plagues Canon Serenar lenses, suggesting superior cementing and assembly processes.
• Unique History: Shooting with a Fujinon lens on a Leica M represents a unique crossover of the two companies that would eventually define the modern mirrorless era (Fujifilm X vs. Leica M).