About this camera.
A beautifully made German vintage telephoto — the Steinheil Münchener Culminar 135mm f/4.5. Steinheil Optische Werke was one of Germany's most respected optics houses, and the Culminar is a classic Tessar-type design known for crisp, clinical rendering with pleasing bokeh. This example comes in M39 (Leica Thread Mount) and can be adapted to a wide range of digital and film cameras. Minor cosmetic notes are fully disclosed.
Specifications
- Focal length: 135mm
- Maximum aperture: f/4.5
- Mount: M39 / LTM (Leica Thread Mount — adaptable to M-mount, Sony E, Fuji X, MFT etc.)
- Focus: Manual helical, minimum focus ~1.5m
- Aperture: f/4.5 to f/22, preset-style
- Construction: All-metal, German optical glass
- Year: c.1950s–1960s
Condition
- Cosmetic: Excellent cosmetic condition with premium metal construction. Some minor cleaning marks on front element visible in raking light.
- Functional: Focus ring is slightly stiff but fully functional and smooth enough for normal use. Optics otherwise clean. Still takes excellent, sharp photos.
Included
- Steinheil Culminar 135mm f/4.5 (M39 mount)
In short
A rare slice of German optical heritage at an honest price. The slight focus stiffness and front cleaning marks are fully disclosed — this lens is a joy to shoot and adapts beautifully to modern mirrorless cameras.