Inspired by History

The Leitz HEKTOR lenses prioritize two things: image character and build quality.

In approaching this new format we decided not to adapt or copy any contemporary lenses from Leitz or Leica. Instead, we looked backward, exploring Leica’s 100-year history of photography optics and finding a great deal of inspiration, especially in some lenses from the 1930s, 50s and 70s. We looked at old lenses from other manufacturers and found wonderful attributes as well. But these old lenses have compromises that can make them challenging for modern production.

In order to create something that speaks directly to the needs and desires of modern artists, we spent the past couple years blending together the best combination of attributes to look gorgeous on digital sensors, fulfill the physical and technical needs of filmmakers today, and balance the character elements to be playfully interesting without shouting over the subject matter.

The HEKTOR lenses are built in the style of the 1980s and 90s, using only spherical elements to create some of the older feeling characteristics. Inspired by classic M lenses from the 1930s and 1950s, as well as Petzval lenses, the look blends together dynamic flares, field curvature, fall off and spherical aberration into something that is wholly unique while feeling familiar. Modern touches include coatings that control veiling glare better than older lenses as well as significantly reduced chromatic aberration.

To see more of what HEKTOR can do, check out our official Look Book in the Resources section below and explore the lens characteristics for yourself.

Ready to Work

The Leitz HEKTOR lenses are a series of six full frame prime lenses that support multiple formats through user-interchangeable mirrorless mounts (E, L, RF, Z). The focal lengths are 18, 25, 35, 50, 73 and 100mm, all at T2.1. Each lens is fully manual with matched focus and iris ring spacing for quick lens changes. The 120° focus rotation makes them easy to work with by hand as well.

The lenses are compact and lightweight with an 80mm diameter (all) and a 77mm screw-in filter thread (except the 18mm). The 9-blade iris remains circular through all stops to create a consistency in the out-of-focus areas.

The lens mounts are passive and do not pass metadata or lens information to the camera. Due to the design of the lenses, they will not be available in PL, LPL or Leica M mount.

Designed and Manufactured in Germany

While the look of the HEKTOR lenses is unlike anything we’ve ever created before, the way we make them is the same as all our other premium cine lenses. We decided early on to build the lenses to the same standard as our most expensive lenses, with a level of precision and attention to detail beyond anything else in the mirrorless lens market. To achieve this the lenses were 100% designed in house and are manufactured and assembled at our factory in Wetzlar, Germany.

Premium cine lenses are often seen as an investment because of their build quality and enduring character. We approached the HEKTOR lenses from a similar perspective. These lenses have an inherently beautiful look, a build quality to stand the rigors of production, and serviceability to make them relatively easy to maintain, all with the support of a company that stands for quality. Much like an old Leica camera or a classic cine lens, the Leitz HEKTOR lenses are an investment that can be maintained and used for many years to come.

Who is Hektor?

The original Leica Hektor lenses were introduced by Ernst Leitz Wetzlar in the 1930s for their early screw-mount cameras and are considered Leica’s first professional series of interchangeable lenses. Lens designer Max Berek named them after his dog Hektor. Though not directly adapted from these lenses, the new HEKTOR series pays homage to their inspiration through the inclusion of a 73mm, an iconic f/1.9 lens in the original series, as well as their silver anodized finish which echoes the chrome finish of many early Leica lenses.