Schacht
Est. 1948
Schacht
Schacht was a German optical manufacturer founded in Munich by Albert Schacht and later based in Ulm. The company produced interchangeable camera lenses for numerous 35mm systems, including Exakta, M42, Praktina, and Leica screw mount. Schacht lenses are recognized by product names such as Travenar, Travegon, Travegar, and Travelon. For Leica rangefinder collectors, the verified 35mm f/3.5 LTM model is the rangefinder-coupled Travegon R.
History
Founding / Early Years
Albert Schacht established the company in Munich in 1948 after a long career in the German photographic industry. His earlier work included management positions connected with Carl Zeiss, ICA, Zeiss Ikon, and Steinheil. This experience placed the new firm within an established network of optical design and precision manufacturing.
Market Entry
Schacht entered the postwar market with lenses for popular interchangeable-lens cameras. It supplied compact wide-angle, standard, portrait, macro, and telephoto lenses in several mounts. The firm's products were sold both to users of German SLR systems and to photographers working with Leica-thread rangefinder cameras.
Expansion / Modern Period
The company relocated to Ulm in 1954, and surviving lenses may therefore carry either München or Ulm engraving. Schacht expanded its mount coverage during the 1950s and 1960s. It was acquired in 1967, and the optical operation was transferred to Will of Wetzlar in 1969. Production under the original Schacht identity ended around 1970.
Product Lines
Rangefinder Lenses
Schacht made selected Leica M39 lenses, including the Travegon R 35mm f/3.5, with rangefinder coupling indicated by the “R” marking.
SLR Lenses
Travenar, Travegon, Travegar, and related lenses were supplied in Exakta, M42, Praktina, and other reflex-camera mounts.
Technical Characteristics
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing locations | Munich, later Ulm, West Germany |
| Verified LTM wide angle | Travegon R 35mm f/3.5 |
| Submitted reference | Travenar-R 35mm f/3.5, mount and engraving require verification |
| Lens mounts | Leica M39, Exakta, M42, Praktina, and additional period mounts |
| Rangefinder designation | “R” appears on documented coupled rangefinder versions |
| M-mount use | Leica-thread versions can be used with an LTM-to-M adapter |
Market Reception
Schacht lenses are regarded as well-made alternatives to the major German brands of their era. Their broad mount coverage makes the company relevant to both vintage SLR and Leica rangefinder photography. A naming distinction is important for cataloguing: reliable records document the Travegon R 35mm f/3.5 in Leica M39, while the Travenar-R 35mm f/3.5 is documented in SLR mounts. A lens listed under the latter name as LTM should be checked physically before the mount is assigned.
Sources
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