Kodak 47mm F/2 Ektar (Kardon) Lens For Leica Screw Mount

Kodak's 47mm f/2 Ektar built for Leica screw mount.

The Kodak 47mm f/2 Ektar, originally paired with the Kodak Kardon camera, is one of the more interesting American-made lenses to surface in the Leica screw mount ecosystem. Kodak's optical engineers produced a lens that sits between the classic 35mm and 50mm focal lengths, giving shooters a field of view that feels neither wide nor standard, an useful split for documentary and street work where a 50mm crowds the frame and a 35mm pulls back too far.

At f/2, the Ektar carries enough speed for low-light work in available-light environments. Its L39 mount makes it directly usable on any Leica screw mount body, and with an adapter it reaches M-mount Leicas and a growing range of mirrorless systems. For collectors, the Kardon connection gives this lens a documented place in mid-20th century American photographic history. For shooters, it offers a focal length that rewards deliberate framing.

Who It's For

Street photographers drawn to an unconventional focal length will find the 47mm sits in a genuinely distinct angle of view compared to the 35mm and 50mm lenses that dominate rangefinder kits. Documentary photographers working on L39-mount bodies get f/2 light-gathering without hunting for European glass. Collectors focused on American optical history will recognize the Kardon provenance as a concrete reason to own this lens beyond its shooting utility. Mirrorless shooters adapting vintage glass onto Sony, Fuji, or Leica M systems gain an unusual prime with a specific character tied to mid-century American manufacturing.

Key Features

• 47mm focal length for documentary and street work
• f/2 maximum aperture for low-light shooting
• Leica screw mount (L39/M39) for direct compatibility
• Kodak optical design with mid-century American heritage
• Adaptable to M-mount Leicas and mirrorless systems

FAQ

What mount does this Kodak 47mm use?

Leica screw mount (L39/M39). It mounts directly on any Leica screw mount body and reaches M-mount Leicas and mirrorless systems with an adapter.

How does 47mm compare to standard focal lengths?

It sits between 35mm and 50mm, offering a field of view that's narrower than a wide angle but less tight than a standard lens - useful for documentary and street work where neither extreme feels right.

What's the maximum aperture?

f/2, fast enough for low-light available-light shooting.

What's the connection between this lens and the Kodak Kardon camera?

The Ektar was originally paired with the Kodak Kardon camera. This lens carries documented history from that mid-20th century American camera system.

Can I use this on modern mirrorless cameras?

Yes, with an L39-to-M adapter on M-mount systems, or with appropriate adapters for other mirrorless mounts.

Who made the optical design?

Kodak's optical engineers designed the Ektar. It's one of the more interesting American-made lenses in the Leica screw mount ecosystem.