The 37th Leitz Photographica Auction will take place this weekend in Vienna (November 21). The highlights of the auction can be found here (see also this post). The online catalog can be found here. The paper catalog can be ordered here.
Pictured above is the Leica Vario-Elmar-M 3.5-5.6/28-75mm ASPH lens prototype – one out of three:
“One of only three existing Vario-Elmar-M lenses. It has been designed in Germany in 2012 and was conceived as a universal lens replacing the Tri-Elmar 28-35-50. In contrast to the Tri-Elmar, the Vario-Elmar-M is a true zoom construction producing a sharp image also between the four hard stops. The production of the final-stage prototypes has been outsourced to Japan, but because of the complexity of the mechanical and optical design the project was cancelled in 2015. Only three lenses have been finished and met the quality standards set by Leica engineers. The lens bears the Leica order number 11669 and comes with a special screw-type prototype hood 12469.”
Here is another picture of the lens:
Check also the Leitz Photographica Auction virtual roadshow video:
Photo credit: Andreas H Kaufmann
