Serial no.1234567,1960,Condition A-
Here is a rare Campolux 1.4/35mm M mount lens with serial number 1234567. This lens is the prototype of the iconic Summilux 1.4/35mm in M mount, by Dr. Walter Mandler. The name Campolux was not adopted for the production units but two such lenses are known to exist. The offered one has an M3 spectacle viewfinder and the other known specimen is located at the Leica factory museum in Wetzlar ( see insert photograph). The name Campolux was not used. Apart for the name and special prototype serial number 1234567, the front rim is black anodized finished, and the aperture flywheel is of a non-serrated grip type. Designed by the most famous postwar Leica optical designer Dr. Walter Mandler, the Summilux-M 1.4/35mm is his most famous design and has become an iconic lens sought after by both users and collectors all over the world. With only two known prototypes, the Campolux-M 1.4/35mm has been ranked as the rarest of all M prototypes.
This lens has been authenticated by Paul Henry Van Hasbroeck of London. Its mechanical and optical is fine, with some small wears on the mount only. See also Lars Netopil, Leica Historica e.V. VIDOM Nr. 111 (release June 2016) for an article covering the development and history of the Campolux lens.
It comes with rear cap.