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LEICA TELYT 200/4 FOR VISOFLEX - 1961 - MINTY!

A gorgeous 1961 example of this rare and super sharp Leica tele, offered in stunning original condition!

This is a truly lovely lens. A much loved and VERY collectible lens, which lends itself to many genres, either as part of your Visoflex kit, or a compatible digital body, not just those offered by Leica, but also Micro Four Thirds bodies, such as the Panasonic G series and Olympus PENs and the Sony NEX range, even the fabulous new full frame Sony A/r/s!

Age is currently 54 years, going by the serial number; 1899839, this lovely Telyt was produced in late 1961, making it a pretty early example, despite its sublime condition. Amazingly, this particular lens shows little sign at all of the passage of six decades and as with all the best Leica kit, feels as if hewn from solid rock.

With the exception of a tiny bit of handling wear, the gorgeous black finish is not damaged in any way. All the barrel script is present and enjoys even and stark contrast, while the LTM screw mount is a clean as a whistle.

The focus ring turns easily and the aperture ring runs smoothly, without detents, although there is an aperture restrictor ring, which is detented, dropping into each half stop with complete confidence, adjusting the incredible twenty blinds which give this lens a nearly perfectly round aperture, enabling that wonderful, organic bokeh which Leica are so renowned for. The aperture is as smooth as silk, and there is no oil or rust on the blinds, the only sign of use is where the black finish has just a tiny bit of the characteristic Leica rub toward the centre.

The integrated two stage hood pulls out and returns smoothly and stays obediently in position, while the beautiful amber coated optics are perfectly clear clear, with no marks of any kind and no dust visible at all when held up to the daylight.

As with all vintage Leica glass, this lens defies its 54 years, it remains fully functional and is great fun to use. Most importantly, it produces great images, from a portrait to a medium telephoto. I am a great fan of using manual lenses on modern digitals and am seriously tempted to invest in a Visoflex adapter and try this gorgeous thing on my Olympus EM-5 Mark II!

The lens will be supplied as per the photos, complete with caps, ready to get to work immediately!

So there you have it, a very rare and highly appointed, antique Leica lens, which as you can see is in exceptional condition, despite it's near pensionable status.

Built in a way which is frankly beyond modern understanding, looked after well this lens will easily last another 5 decades and being Leica, when you, your children or grandchildren come to sell it on, you will like as not achieve much more for it than you paid here.

Hopefully, the description and photos will answer any questions you may have, but please feel free to drop me an email if anything needs clarifying further.