The Leitz 50mm (5cm) f2.5 Hektorlens is a legendary Leica lens which was designed by Max Berek in the late 1920ies. He named it after his favourite dog.

The 5cm Hektor lens was the more luxurious 50mm Leica lens available at the time and was much more expensive than the slower standard 5cm f3.5 Elmar lens. The Hektor lenses were both manufactured as a fixed lens mounted on Leica Ia cameras and as a interchangeable M39 mount lens. The Hektor was definitely ahead of its’ time when you consider that many manufacturers still offered f2.8 50mm lenses decades later. Nowadays these gems are highly collectible and well preseved copies of this rare lens cost at least $700.

Leitz 50mm (5cm) f2.5 Hektor Versions

The Leitz 50mm (5cm) f2.5 Hektorlens is available both with a nickel and chrome finish. Early models are marked 50mm while later models are marked 5cm.

• Mounts
  • M39 / Leica screwmount

• Lens elements: 6
• Minimum Focusing Distance: 125cm
• Leica Code: HEKTOR

Leitz 50mm (5cm) f2.5 Hektor Recommendation

PROs:

• very slim and compact
• works great on micro 4/3
• sharp when stopped down

If you own one of these you definitely own a piece of photographic history. For its’ time it was a super fast prime lens. Like most M39 Leica lenses, the Leitz Hektor 50mm f2.5 lens is extremely compact and lightweight. You can also use it on digital cameras using an adapter.

From an image quality point of view, the 5omm Hekotr lens is good when stopped down. Wide open it will be soft. Nonetheless, when you bare in mind that the lens design is over 70 years old, it still is a great shooter. Still, save some cash and get a 50mm Elmar instead – it will offer better value for money.

CONs:

• soft when shot wide open
• flare prone
• like all collectible Leica lenses it is expensive
• very hard to find in good condition

The 50mm Hektor lens is a very collectible lens. You will definitely pay a hefty price premium compared to a standard 5cm Elmar lens due to the rareness of the Hektor lenses. On the other hand, if you find a nice copy it might really be good a investment as their prices are likely to increase.

If you want to use the lens to shoot – I would still recommend getting the slower 50mm Elmar lens.