Rare! 1928 Voigtlander 165mm Heliar lens in a freshly Serviced Compur shutter.

Leica NOT included.

This is a very desirable and hard to find large format f4.5/16.5cm (165mm) Voigtlander Heliar lens. The serial number of this lens, 475670 indicates that it was produced in late 1928/early 1929. This lens is exceptionally clean and clear. There are no scratches, just very light cleaning wisps and it’s capable of beautiful results with modern color & B&W film.

The lens is a superb design with five elements in three groups. It was a top quality lens of its day. What photographers and artists loved about this lens was the beautiful rendition in the fore and back ground. In other words this lens has an absolutely gorgeous bokeh. Open up the lens or narrow the depth of field by getting closer and the focus rolls on and off silky smooth as cream… Soft out of focus foreground moves lovingly into sharp focus on your subject matter and then off again into gently blurred background. There are few lenses that do it as nicely as this. If you’ve seen it, you know what I mean. If you haven’t, well then you’re in for a treat….

Period literature and the Vademecum  lens reference book, indicates that its an excellent choice for 4x5. The lens is mounted in a freshly serviced dial-set Compur shutter The shutter works smoothly and all speeds (T, B & 1 Sec-1/200th) are appropriate. The slow speeds buzz along nicely and the faster ones are clean and snappy. A mounting ring is included.

All in all, a very fine rare vintage lens. Keep it handy for that perfect shot you’ve been looking for. You know the one... the one with the perfect Ansel Adams light breaking through the dark storm clouds that leaves you wishing that you had a classic Heliar with you...