THE LENS IN THE RUG

During the late 1960's into the early 1970's the U.S. Navy used Leitz equipment. In the Proceedings of the Society of Photo- Optical Instrumentation Engineers Vol. 58 titled Small-Format Camera Systems dated March 17-18, 1975 (page 8), several unusual ELCAN-R lenses are mentioned. All featured apochromatic correction.

The ELCAN-R lenses mentioned are the 75mm f/2, the 180mm f/3.4, and the 450mm f/5.6. During my ongoing Leica research I had handled the 75mm and the 180mm but the 450mm eluded me. As my Volume II - Lenses was in the final layout stages in 1993, I received information that a 450mm had been obtained at a government auction. Further contacts were made and the owner said he was coming to a camera show in New Jersey. I asked if I could inspect the lens. Of course came the answer yes!

At the camera show I waited and finally the owner arrived carrying a rather dilapidated rug about three feet long wrapped around something. The contents were exposed, some dust and unidentifiable rug debris blown off, and the lens handed to me. I had NEVER seen this lens. I managed to get photos. The lens was cobbled together with what appeared to be a massive 180mm Elmarit focusing mount. This was a test unit for the U.S. Navy. It did not have to be pretty but it had to deliver the images required.

How many were prepared? I can guess probably less than ten. I can only guess as no official information has surfaced to my knowledge. The lens illustrated is formula 329, lens number 0003. The 450mm and 75mm did not reach commercial production. The 180mm f/3.4 ELCAN-R became the 180mm f/3.4 Apo-Telyt-R in late 1975.