77 - FED | 5.9/100mm Prototype

FED | 5.9/100mm Prototype Estimate: €2,800–3,200 Year: c.1937 Condition: B+ English: An exceptionally rare early Fed 1:5.9/100 mm telephoto lens in an M39 rangefinder mount, without a serial number. The 5.9/100 mm represents the experimental or pre-series predecessor of the later Fed-36 6.3/100 mm. Only a very small number are known to exist, and there are no documented sales on record. Contemporary and specialist sources indicate that the faster f/5.9 version was abandoned due to difficulties in achieving satisfactory image quality across the entire 35 mm frame, leading to the subsequent production version with a reduced maximum aperture of f/6.3. Four-element, two-group optical construction, focusing from approximately 1 m to infinity, aperture scale 5.9–18. In fine condition with both caps. German: Extremely rare early FED 1:5.9/100 mm telephoto lens with M39 mount, without serial number. The 5.9/100 mm is considered an experimental precursor to the later FED-36 6.3/100 mm. Only a very small number of examples are known to exist; there are no documented sales. Contemporary and technical sources indicate that the faster f/5.9 version was abandoned due to difficulties in achieving satisfactory image quality across the entire 35mm format. The later production model therefore had its maximum aperture reduced to f/6.3. Optical design with four elements in two groups, focusing range from approximately 1 m to infinity, aperture scale 5.9–18. In very good condition, with both caps.