Ross

Ross (Ross London) is the oldest and most prestigious optical company in British history, founded in 1830 by Andrew Ross. While the company is famous for its large format brass lenses and military binoculars, its contribution to the Leica M-mount and LTM world is defined by a singular, patriotic moment in history: the creation of the "British Leica."

After WWII, with German patents seized and Leica cameras in short supply, the British government commissioned the Reid & Sigrist company to build a domestic copy of the Leica IIIb (the Reid camera). Ross was chosen to provide the optics. The resulting Xtralux lenses are considered by many collectors to be equal—or in some cases superior—to their Leitz counterparts from the same era.

History

Ross London's lineage is one of imperial grandeur and wartime necessity.

The Victorian Giant (1830 to 1940s)

Long before the 35mm format existed, Ross was the premier lens maker for the British Empire, producing optics for everything from portrait studios to naval telescopes. They had a close pre-war relationship with Zeiss, even manufacturing Zeiss designs under license in London.

The "British Leica" Project (1947 to 1960s)

Following WWII, the British military needed precision 35mm cameras, but Leicas were unavailable. The government seized German patents and asked Reid & Sigrist (an aviation instrument maker) to clone the Leica.

• The Xtralux Role: Ross was contracted to build the lenses. They didn't just copy the Leitz Elmar; they utilized their own "Xpres" optical formulas (derivatives of the Tessar and Double-Gauss) and applied advanced British coatings. These lenses were sold natively in LTM (Leica Thread Mount), both as kit lenses for the Reid camera and as standalone upgrades for existing Leica users [[1]].

Product Lines (LTM Native)

Ross LTM lenses are instantly recognizable by their heavy chrome-on-brass construction and the engraving "Ross London."

The Xtralux 50mm f/2

The "British Summitar." This was the standard high-speed lens for the Reid III camera.

• Design: A collapsible lens that closely resembles the Leitz Summitar in form factor.
• Optics: Unlike the Leitz Summar (which was uncoated and prone to flare), the Xtralux 50mm was coated from the factory. It offers higher contrast and "bite" than pre-war Leica lenses while retaining a classic, swirling bokeh in the corners.
• Build: It is exceptionally dense. Many collectors argue the chroming quality is superior to the "peeling chrome" often found on post-war Leitz lenses [[2]].

The Xtralux 90mm f/4

The telephoto companion.

• Design: Based on the Leitz Elmar 9cm geometry but using Ross's own optical prescription.
• Performance: A sharp, competent telephoto that is often overlooked. It is significantly heavier than the Elmar, giving it a steady feel for handheld shooting.

The Definex 89mm (3.5 inch) f/3.5

A unique lens often found in LTM or Contax mount.

• The "Definex" Formula: A proprietary Ross design known for high sharpness across the frame.
• Focal Length: Officially 3½ inches, which translates to roughly 89mm or 90mm. It brings up standard 90mm framelines on M-cameras.
• Aesthetics: These lenses often feature a distinct "stepped" barrel design and heavy knurling that feels more like military hardware than consumer camera gear [[3]].

The 3-inch (75mm) f/1.9 Xpres

• The Modification: Originally a cinema or projection lens, this ultra-fast optic is frequently found modified for LTM. It offers a wild, swirly "Petzval-like" character that is prized by artistic photographers.

Technical Specifications

Feature	Specification Details
Native Mount	LTM (Leica Thread Mount)
Focus Coupling	Coupled. (Standard rangefinder coupling).
Build Materials	Solid Brass with heavy Chrome plating.
Markings	"Ross London", "Xtralux", or "Definex". Focal lengths often marked in Inches (e.g., 2 inch = 50mm, 3.5 inch = 90mm).
Coatings	Single Coated. (Ross coatings have a distinct purple/blue hue and are quite durable).
Filter Thread	Non-standard. The Xtralux 50mm often requires Summitar-style filters or specific slip-on adapters.
Rarity	High. The Reid camera system was produced in low numbers (approx 2,500 units for the Reid III), making Ross LTM lenses far rarer than Canon or Nikon equivalents.

Why Photographers Choose Ross

• The "Rule Britannia" Factor: For British photographers or Anglophiles, shooting a Ross Xtralux on a Leica is the ultimate patriotic statement. It represents the brief moment when London challenged Wetzlar for optical dominance.
• Better Chrome: If you are tired of pitted, bubbling chrome on 1940s Leica lenses, pick up a Ross. The plating is thick, industrial, and usually immaculate even 70 years later.
• The "Xpres" Look: Ross lenses have a distinct optical signature—sharper in the center than a Summar, but with a more turbulent, "painterly" transition to out-of-focus areas than a Zeiss Sonnar.

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Sources

• [1] CameraQuest (Reid & Sigrist History): https://cameraquest.com/reid.htm
• [2] 35mmc (Ross Xtralux 50mm f/2 Review): https://www.35mmc.com/15/04/2019/ross-xtralux-50mm-f2-review/
• [3] Leica Shop (Ross Definex Listings): https://www.leicashop.com
• [4] Early Photography (Ross Lens Compendium): http://www.earlyphotography.co.uk/site/companies/Ross.html