Kilfitt

Est. 1941

Kilfitt

Kilfitt was a German optical manufacturer and camera-design company founded by Heinrich Wilhelm “Heinz” Kilfitt. The make became known for precision-built macro lenses, telephoto lenses, interchangeable mounting systems, reflex accessories, and the manufacture of an important early zoom lens for 35mm photography. Kilfitt operated principally from Munich, Germany, with an additional postwar company in Vaduz, Liechtenstein.

Kilfitt lenses were supplied for numerous camera systems, including Exakta, Praktina, Alpa, M42, medium-format cameras, cinema cameras, and Leica equipment. Some examples have M39 screw threads or Leica adapters, but these are not automatically conventional rangefinder-coupled LTM lenses. Many were designed for the Kilfitt Kilarscope reflex housing, Leica Visoflex, bellows, or a separate Kilfitt adapter. Mount configuration and flange registration must therefore be established individually before a Kilfitt lens is classified as Leica Thread Mount or adapted to a Leica M-mount camera.

History

Founding / Early Years

Heinz Kilfitt was born in 1898 into a watchmaking family in Germany. His early experience repairing watches gave him a background in precision mechanics, while his interest in photography led him into the German optical industry. He subsequently worked for the optical firm Rudolf Neumann in Berlin, where he became associated with its photographic department.

During the early 1930s, Kilfitt designed the original Robot camera. This compact camera used 35mm film but exposed square 24 x 24mm frames. Its spring-driven transport mechanism allowed a rapid sequence of exposures without manually advancing the film after each photograph. Hans-Heinrich Berning developed the design into a commercial product, and Robot cameras entered production in 1934.

Around 1940, Kilfitt acquired an optical workshop in Munich. Lens production under the Heinz Kilfitt name began in approximately 1941, which is generally treated as the beginning of Kilfitt as an optical manufacturing make. The Munich operation was substantially affected by the destruction and economic disruption of the Second World War.

In 1947, Kilfitt established Kamerabau-Anstalt Vaduz in Liechtenstein. Products from this period may carry engravings referring to Vaduz, Kamerabau-Anstalt, or Heinz Kilfitt. Munich later resumed its position as the principal location associated with Kilfitt lens production.

Market Entry

Kilfitt entered the postwar interchangeable-lens market with the Kilar family around 1948. Early products included moderate telephoto lenses and long-focus optics for different camera systems. The range expanded to include Kilar, Tele-Kilar, Pan-Tele-Kilar, Fern-Kilar, and Sport-Fern-Kilar models.

Because Kilfitt was a comparatively small independent manufacturer, it developed a flexible mounting strategy. Many longer lenses used a basic optical unit combined with a dedicated focusing mount, reflex housing, extension unit, or camera-specific adapter. This allowed similar lens heads to be used across 35mm cameras, medium-format systems, cine cameras, and specialist photographic equipment.

Leica compatibility formed part of this system, but it was more complex than a simple M39 thread might suggest. Kilfitt offered arrangements for LTM cameras, Leica M cameras, Leica Visoflex units, and its own Kilarscope reflex housing. Some Leica rangefinder configurations required the reflex housing to provide both viewing and the correct lens-to-film distance.

Kilfitt also designed the Mecaflex, a compact 24 x 24mm interchangeable-lens reflex camera with a leaf shutter. The camera was presented at Photokina in 1951. Production was initially associated with Metz and was later continued through SEROA in Monaco. Several compact Kilfitt lenses were produced for the Mecaflex system.

Expansion / Modern Period

During the 1950s, Kilfitt became particularly influential in close-up photography. The 40mm Makro-Kilar, introduced during the middle of the decade, is widely described as the first 35mm still-camera macro lens capable of focusing continuously from infinity into the macro range without supplementary bellows or extension tubes. Different versions provided maximum reproduction ratios of approximately 1:2 or 1:1.

The larger 90mm f/2.8 Makro-Kilar extended the concept to a longer working distance and was offered through Kilfitt’s interchangeable adapter system. Its optical coverage also allowed versions to be used with certain medium-format cameras. These lenses helped establish Kilfitt as a specialist manufacturer of macro photography equipment.

Kilfitt’s optical manufacturing expertise also led to its production of the Voigtländer Zoomar 36-82mm f/2.8. The lens was designed by American optical engineer Frank G. Back and manufactured by Kilfitt in Munich. Introduced around 1959, it became one of the first commercially successful zoom lenses for 35mm still photography. Versions were made for the Voigtländer Bessamatic and Exakta systems.

Control of the company passed to Frank G. Back and the Zoomar organization during the mid to late 1960s. Published accounts differ on the exact dates of Heinz Kilfitt’s retirement and the corporate transfer, but the transition is generally placed between 1964 and 1968. Subsequent lenses appeared under names including Zoomar-Kilfitt, Zoomar München, Macro-Zoomar, and Zoomatar. The independent Kilfitt make gradually disappeared as the remaining products were incorporated into the Zoomar business.

Product Lines

Kilar and Tele-Kilar Lenses

The Kilar name was used for general-purpose and moderate telephoto lenses, including models around 90mm, 135mm, and 150mm. Tele-Kilar lenses extended the range to longer focal lengths, including 300mm models. Many of these lenses were designed as system components requiring a Kilfitt focusing adapter, extension unit, or reflex housing.

Pan-Tele-Kilar and Fern-Kilar Lenses

Pan-Tele-Kilar, Fern-Kilar, and Sport-Fern-Kilar lenses represented Kilfitt’s specialist long-focus range. Focal lengths included approximately 300mm, 400mm, and 600mm. These lenses were offered for various 35mm, medium-format, and cine-camera applications through interchangeable rear mounts.

Makro-Kilar Lenses

The Makro-Kilar family included the compact 40mm macro lens and the larger 90mm f/2.8 model. On relevant 40mm versions, the letter E normally identified a single-extension model reaching approximately 1:2 reproduction, while D identified a double-extension version capable of approximately 1:1 reproduction. Engraving, focal length, maximum aperture, production location, and mount must all be checked because the naming changed over time.

Leica and Reflex-System Lenses

Kilfitt supplied lenses and adapters associated with Leica screw-mount cameras, Leica M cameras, and Leica Visoflex equipment. Documented M39 examples include Kilar, Makro-Kilar, Tele-Kilar, and Fern-Kilar lenses. However, many M39 Kilfitt lenses were intended for a reflex housing or adapter rather than direct mounting on a rangefinder camera.

The Kilar 90mm f/3.5, commonly encountered with Kilar C engraving, is one example documented for use with Leica Visoflex and Kilfitt reflex equipment. Such a lens may physically screw into an LTM camera but will not necessarily focus correctly when used without the required housing or extension assembly.

Zoomar and Zoomar-Kilfitt Products

Kilfitt manufactured the Voigtländer Zoomar 36-82mm f/2.8 designed by Frank G. Back. Following the acquisition of Kilfitt, related lenses and updated Kilfitt designs were sold under Zoomar, Zoomar-Kilfitt, Zoomatar, and Macro-Zoomar branding.

Cameras and Accessories

In addition to optical manufacturing, Kilfitt designed cameras and produced a broad system of photographic accessories. These included the Mecaflex camera, Kilarscope reflex housings, focusing mounts, extension units, filter holders, tripod supports, and adapters for numerous still and cine-camera systems.

Technical Characteristics

Feature	Description
Company identity	Products may be engraved Kamerabau-Anstalt Vaduz, Heinz Kilfitt München, Kilfitt München, Zoomar-Kilfitt, or Zoomar München.
Principal locations	Optical production was associated mainly with Munich, Germany, and Vaduz, Liechtenstein. Mecaflex production was also associated with Metz and SEROA in Monaco.
Optical specialization	Kilfitt concentrated on macro lenses, telephoto lenses, extreme long-focus lenses, zoom-lens manufacturing, and specialist photography equipment.
Mounting system	Many lenses used interchangeable basic mounts, camera-specific adapters, reflex housings, or focusing helicoids instead of a permanently installed camera mount.
M39 identification	An M39 thread does not by itself establish direct Leica Thread Mount compatibility. Some M39 interfaces were intended for Kilfitt reflex units, Leica Visoflex equipment, bellows, or intermediate adapters.
Rangefinder coupling	Rangefinder coupling was not standard across the Kilfitt range. The presence of a focusing cam, the required flange distance, and infinity focus should be verified for every lens.
Leica M compatibility	Some Kilfitt configurations were offered through Leica M adapters. A normal LTM-to-M adapter is suitable only when the underlying lens is correctly registered for direct LTM use. Reflex-system lenses require the appropriate reflex housing or equivalent spacing.
Macro focusing	Makro-Kilar lenses used extended focusing helicoids to provide continuous focusing from infinity into the close-up or macro range.
D and E designations	On the best-known 40mm Makro-Kilar models, D generally indicates double extension and approximately 1:1 reproduction, while E indicates single extension and approximately 1:2 reproduction.
Aperture operation	Many Kilfitt lenses use manual or preset diaphragms rather than automatic aperture mechanisms. Operation varies by model and mount.
Construction	Kilfitt lenses are generally characterized by substantial metal barrels, precision focusing mechanisms, and mechanically complex adapters.
Format coverage	Kilfitt produced lenses for 35mm, medium format, and cine applications. Image-circle coverage must be confirmed for the individual optical unit.
Coating	Both early and later coated lenses exist. Coating type and color rendering vary with model, production period, and factory location.
Modern adaptation	Kilfitt lenses can often be adapted successfully to mirrorless cameras, but the correct intermediate mount, adapter, and registration distance remain essential.
Identification priority	Collectors should record the complete front-ring engraving, serial number, factory location, rear interface, adapter code, and any accompanying reflex equipment.

Market Reception

Kilfitt developed a reputation as an innovative specialist rather than a mass-market lens manufacturer. Its macro lenses are important in the history of close-up photography, while its telephoto systems are associated with wildlife, sports, scientific, and technical photography. Kilfitt’s manufacture of the Voigtländer Zoomar also gives the company a significant position in the development of zoom lenses for 35mm still cameras.

Surviving Kilfitt equipment attracts collectors of vintage cameras, German optical manufacturing, Leica accessories, Exakta equipment, unusual camera systems, and adaptable manual-focus lenses. Values depend heavily on condition, factory engraving, rarity, optical clarity, and completeness. Original focusing mounts, Kilarscope housings, Leica Visoflex adapters, filter drawers, tripod supports, and rear adapters can be as important as the optical unit itself.

For LeicaLensList classification, Kilfitt requires particular caution. A seller may describe any 39mm screw-thread example as an LTM lens, even when it was designed for a reflex housing and cannot focus correctly on a Leica rangefinder camera. Direct rangefinder use, Visoflex use, and modern Leica M conversion should therefore be treated as separate configurations.

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