Telyt 200mm F4.5

An elegant Weapon for a more civilized age.
– Obi-wan Kenobi

Earlier this year I acquired this Visoflex only lens, a Telyt 200mm F4.5, first version. I do not own any of the 3 Visoflex versions, but as the mount is just the standard Leica L39 Screw, I can adapt it via a macro extension tube designed for Summar/Elmar plus a 10mm extension ring to get flange distance right. Combining this configuration with a M-to-L helicoid adaptor, the lens is very useable on the Leica SL. I brought a Haoge branded on from Amazon, but I have seen generic one badge with 7artisan, fotodiox and other names. The lens is more compact and lighter than the native L-mount Panasonic S 24-105mm, but still fell solid and substantial on the hand, due to the brass construction.

Telyt200mm adapted to L-Mount — Telyt 200mm adapted to L-mount break down

The Telyt 200mm lens itself is quite short. This is without extension tubes to makeup the flange distance and without lens hood.

The Leica SL2 has a bright 5.76 million dots high resolution electronic viewfinder, 5 axis in body image stablization, focus peaking and a decent grip, all good attribute and far more superior than my M10 body to adapt this lens. I have never tried any manual focus lens over 135mm on the M10. I can only assign it as a 180 Elmar-R in the SL2 body , the stablization is usable. Those in the panasonic camp can set it exact.

Front View — Leica SL2 + Telyt200
Axometric View

A 1930s 5 elements 4 groups design, it has medium contrast, flatter lens characteristic that is more romantic than sharp. Is it as well corrected as a modern lens? Absolutely not. Some people may call it full of aberrations. For me, I just love its characters. It does render fine details nicely. It is has the Leica magic glow for less than AU$200 including leather case and original box posted locally, which is a bargain I reckon.

I will let the photos speak for themselves. I do like the result from this lens.