Wollensak

Wollensak Optical Company is the Rochester, New York-based cousin of the Leica world. While companies like Canon and Nikon were copying Leica in Japan, Wollensak was the official "wartime substitute" in the United States.

For the Leica M-mount and LTM collector, Wollensak is famous for a specific historical anomaly: the "Leitz New York" lenses. During WWII, when imports from Germany were cut off, Leitz New York (the American branch) contracted Wollensak to manufacture lenses to keep the Leica system alive for the US market and military. These lenses are unique American-German hybrids—Leica designs built with American glass and labor.

History

Wollensak was a titan of the American optical industry (Rochester) alongside Kodak and Bausch & Lomb.

The Rochester Origins (1899 to 1940s)

Founded in 1899 by Andrew Wollensak (a former Bausch & Lomb engineer), the company spent decades making high-quality shutters and large format lenses. They were known for the Velostigmat (later Raptar) line of optics.

The "Leitz New York" Contract (WWII Era)

When the US entered WWII, trade with Nazi Germany ceased. Leitz New York, desperate to sell cameras but unable to get lenses from Wetzlar, turned to Wollensak.

• The Result: Wollensak produced a line of 50mm, 90mm, and 127mm lenses in Leica Thread Mount.
• The Markings: These lenses are often engraved "Leitz New York" on the beauty ring but also carry the Wollensak name (or "Velostigmat"). This dual-branding makes them highly collectible pieces of wartime history.
• Post-War: After the war, Wollensak continued to produce LTM lenses under their own name (often rebranded as Raptar) before fading away in the 1970s under the ownership of Revere and later 3M.

Product Lines (LTM Native)

Wollensak lenses for Leica are generally robust, industrial, and follow American design philosophies (heavy knurling, distinct fonts).

The Velostigmat 50mm f/3.5

The American Elmar.

• Context: This was the standard kit lens for Leicas sold in the US during the war.
• Design: It is a collapsible lens, virtually identical in operation to the Leitz Elmar 50mm f/3.5.
• Differences: Unlike the smooth focus of the Elmar, the Wollensak version often features more aggressive, diamond-pattern knurling. The aperture scale is sometimes placed differently for easier reading.
• Optics: A classic 4-element Tessar formula. It is known for being sharp but having slightly lower contrast than German equivalents due to different glass types.

The Velostigmat / Raptar 90mm f/4.5

• Design: A solid, rigid telephoto lens.
• Evolution: Early versions are marked Velostigmat; post-1946 versions are marked Raptar.
• Use: It was a popular, affordable alternative to the Leitz Elmar 90mm. It is lighter than the German version and often found with the distinct "WOCOTED" (Wollensak Coated) branding.

The Velostigmat 127mm f/4.5

• The Oddball: A very popular focal length for press photographers (4x5 Speed Graphics), adapted down to 35mm format. It is an unusually long lens for a rangefinder, offering significant reach but tiny framelines.

Technical Specifications

Feature	Specification Details
Native Mount	LTM (Leica Thread Mount)
Focus Coupling	Coupled. (Standard rangefinder coupling).
Build Materials	Brass & Aluminum. Often features a mix of chrome and black paint styling.
Markings	Look for "Leitz New York", "Velostigmat" (Pre-1946), or "Raptar" (Post-1946).
Coatings	"WOCOTED" (Wollensak's proprietary hard coating). It is durable and often has a purple/magenta hue.
Aperture	often has more aperture blades than mass-produced Japanese lenses, ensuring circular bokeh.
Compatibility	Fully compatible with all LTM and M-mount cameras (via adapter).

Why Photographers Choose Wollensak

• The "Leitz New York" Collector: For historians, a Leica IIIc "Stepper" body is not complete without a matching Leitz New York Velostigmat. It tells the specific story of the American home front during WWII.
• American Industrial Design: Wollensak lenses feel different. They have an Art Deco, machine-age aesthetic with bold fonts and heavy knurling that contrasts with the refined elegance of European lenses.
• The "Raptar" Name: The post-war Raptar lenses (especially the Cine versions adapted to M-mount) are gaining a cult following for their unique "swirly" bokeh and "center glow," which appeals to videographers and portrait shooters.

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Sources

• [1] CameraQuest (Leitz New York History): https://cameraquest.com/leica_ny.htm
• [2] LHSA (Leica Historical Society of America): https://lhsa.org
• [3] Wollensak Optical Co. (Company History): http://www.novacon.com.br/odditycameras/wollensak.htm