Staeble

Est. 1908

Staeble

Staeble, also known as Dr. Staeble, Staeble-Werk, and later Dr. Staeble, Friedl & Co. KG, was a German optical manufacturer known for producing camera lenses, enlarger lenses, projector lenses, and optical components. Founded in Munich, the company became part of the broader German photographic optics industry that included manufacturers such as Steinheil, Enna, Rodenstock, Schneider-Kreuznach, and Agfa.

For LeicaLensList, Staeble is relevant because of its rare Leica screw mount, LTM, and M39 lens variants, including lenses such as the Staeble Lineogon 35mm f/3.5, Super-Choro-L 35mm f/3.5, Trigon-L 50mm f/2.8, Telexon-L 90mm f/5.6, and Telexon-L 135mm f/3.8. Staeble also supplied lenses for compact German camera systems such as the Braun Paxette, which used a similar M39 thread but not always the same flange distance as Leica screw mount. Because of this, individual Staeble lenses should be identified carefully by mount, rangefinder coupling, and intended camera system before being listed as Leica-compatible.

History

Founding / Early Years

Staeble was founded in 1908 in Munich, Germany. The company was associated with Dr. Staeble and operated as a specialist optical workshop during a period when Munich was one of Germany’s important centers for photographic and precision optical manufacturing. Early Staeble production included photographic lenses and optical equipment rather than complete camera systems.

In the early twentieth century, Staeble became known for practical lens designs for cameras, projectors, enlargers, and other optical devices. The company’s position was not that of a major camera manufacturer like Leica or Zeiss Ikon, but rather that of a specialist optical supplier within the German photographic industry.

Pre-War and Wartime Development

Before the Second World War, Staeble produced lenses and optical components for photographic use. Like several German optical companies of the period, it operated within a dense network of camera makers, shutter makers, and component suppliers. Munich-based optical manufacturing often involved collaboration between firms, with lenses, shutters, and camera bodies coming from different specialist companies.

In 1944, Staeble moved from Munich toward the Schongau area. This relocation marked a major geographical shift in the company’s history and influenced its later post-war identity.

Post-War Production and OEM Lens Supply

After the war, Staeble continued as an optical manufacturer and became especially important as an OEM lens supplier. It supplied lenses to smaller camera manufacturers that did not produce their own optics. Staeble lenses appeared on or alongside cameras from brands such as Finetta, Braun, Wirgin, and other German or European camera makers.

The company’s lenses were commonly used on compact 35mm camera systems, including Braun Paxette cameras. Lens names associated with Staeble include Kata, Kataplast, Lineogon, Trigon, Telexon, Telon, Choro, Plast, and Polyplast. These names covered standard lenses, wide-angle lenses, telephoto lenses, enlarger lenses, and optical sets.

Friedl Period and Agfa Acquisition

By the 1950s, Staeble was associated with Otto Friedl and operated under the name Dr. Staeble, Friedl & Co. KG. The company continued to manufacture lenses and optical products from the Schongau or Altenstadt area.

In 1969, Staeble was acquired by Agfa-Gevaert AG. After the acquisition, the Staeble name gradually became part of Agfa’s optical manufacturing structure. The acquisition connected Staeble’s specialist optical production to one of Germany’s largest photographic companies, but the independent Staeble brand eventually disappeared from the consumer camera market.

Product Lines

Leica Screw Mount and LTM Lenses

Staeble produced a small number of lenses associated with Leica screw cameras. These are the most relevant lenses for LeicaLensList. Reported Leica screw mount related models include the Lineogon-L 35mm f/3.5, Super-Choro-L 35mm f/3.5, Trigon-L 50mm f/2.8, Telexon-L 90mm f/5.6, and Telexon-L 135mm f/3.8.

These lenses are uncommon and should be documented carefully. Some Staeble lenses use M39 threading for non-Leica systems such as Braun Paxette, which does not automatically make them Leica-compatible. For LeicaLensList, the exact mount, flange distance, and rangefinder coupling should be verified per lens.

Braun Paxette Lenses

Staeble supplied lenses for the Braun Paxette system, including compact interchangeable lenses in M39 thread. Common examples include the Lineogon 35mm f/3.5 and Telexon 135mm f/3.8. These lenses are often visually similar to Leica screw mount lenses, but many Paxette lenses were designed for a different register distance and should not be treated as Leica LTM unless confirmed.

OEM Camera Lenses

Staeble was an important supplier to smaller camera manufacturers. It produced lenses for brands and systems such as Finetta and Braun, among others. This OEM role is central to Staeble’s history, because many of its lenses are encountered under camera-specific or reseller-specific contexts rather than as standalone Staeble system lenses.

Enlarger and Projection Lenses

Staeble also produced enlarger lenses and projection optics. These products fit the company’s broader role as a general optical manufacturer rather than a pure camera lens brand. Enlarger and projector lenses helped support Staeble’s post-war production outside the interchangeable camera lens market.

Polyplast and Optical Sets

The Polyplast name is associated with Staeble optical sets and lens components. These products reflect the company’s early and mid-century work in modular optical systems and practical photographic accessories.

Technical Characteristics

Feature Description
Company Type German optical manufacturer and OEM lens supplier.
Historic Names Dr. Staeble, Staeble-Werk, Dr. Staeble, Friedl & Co. KG.
Original Base Munich, Germany.
Later Location Schongau or Altenstadt area, Bavaria, Germany.
Main Products Camera lenses, enlarger lenses, projector lenses, optical components, and optical sets.
LeicaLensList Relevance Rare Leica screw mount and LTM-related Staeble lenses, especially Lineogon-L, Super-Choro-L, Trigon-L, and Telexon-L variants.
Important Lens Names Lineogon, Super-Choro, Choro, Trigon, Telexon, Telon, Kata, Kataplast, Plast, Polyplast.
Common Non-Leica System Braun Paxette M39 lenses, which require careful distinction from Leica screw mount lenses.
Focus System Some Leica screw mount examples are rangefinder-coupled, while many non-Leica M39 lenses were designed for other camera systems.
Optical Character Compact vintage rendering, moderate contrast, simple mechanical construction, and classic German post-war optical design.
Corporate Outcome Acquired by Agfa-Gevaert AG in 1969.
Related Brands Braun, Finetta, Wirgin, Agfa, and other German camera manufacturers.

Market Reception

Staeble is a lesser-known but historically interesting name in German photographic optics. The company does not have the same collector recognition as Leica, Zeiss, Schneider, or Rodenstock, but it occupies an important niche among users of vintage German lenses, Braun Paxette cameras, Finetta cameras, and rare Leica screw mount optics.

Collectors value Staeble lenses for their compact size, mechanical simplicity, and unusual system connections. The Lineogon 35mm f/3.5 is one of the most commonly discussed Staeble lenses, especially because it appears in M39 forms and is sometimes confused between Braun Paxette and Leica screw mount usage. Telephoto lenses such as the Telexon 135mm f/3.8 and rare L-suffix Leica screw mount lenses are also of interest to collectors of unusual LTM lenses.

For LeicaLensList, Staeble should be treated as a valid historical make, but with careful mount verification. The brand is relevant to Leica-compatible lens collectors because confirmed Staeble LTM lenses are rare, but many visually similar Staeble M39 lenses belong to non-Leica systems. This distinction is important for database accuracy, SEO quality, and collector trust.

Sources

Lenses (1)

Filters 1 results
Make Model Price Focal Length Aperture Release year Diameter (mm) Length (mm) Weight (g) Min focus distance Elements Groups Filter diameter (mm) MountModel number(s)Actions
StaebleLineogon-L 35mm f/3.5€347353.5————1 m4440.5LTM—