RectafleRectaflex made in Italy telephoto lens marked as “Oplar” (a French OPL design)

[ErnestSam]

Hello everybody! This my first post here and i am not a specialist at all.
I am selling items from a big camera and lens collection and i stumbled on this lens, of which i didn't find any info:

This is a vintage 90mm f/3.5 telephoto lens marked as “Oplar” (a French OPL design) but explicitly branded and produced “for Rectaflex Made in Italy.” It’s a rare hybrid piece from the early 1950s, likely a licensed or adapted Italian production of the OPL formula, tailored for the Rectaflex SLR camera system. The serial number (Nr 11617) fits an early production run, and the condition appears excellent—clean brass/chrome with minimal wear, no obvious haze or scratches in the elements from the shots. Let me break it down step by step, drawing from the visible details.

Key Specifications (Confirmed from Photos)
* Focal Length: 9 cm (90mm)—a classic short telephoto, perfect for portraits, compression effects, or isolating subjects on 35mm film.
* Maximum Aperture: f/3.5 (engraved as 1:3.5), with a full range to f/22 visible on the aperture ring. The iris likely has 12–15 blades for smooth bokeh (typical of OPL-derived designs).
* Optical Design: 4 elements in 3 groups (Tessar-type, multi-coated for reduced flare; the front element shows subtle blue reflections indicative of postwar coatings). This formula was licensed from France’s Optique et Précision de Levallois (OPL) but manufactured in Italy, explaining the dual markings.
* Mount: Rectaflex proprietary bayonet (wide ~50mm diameter, with a reinforced flange visible on the rear). This is incompatible with standard mounts like M42 or Leica screw without a custom adapter. The bayonet’s chrome finish matches early Rectaflex cameras (pre-1954).
* Focus Mechanism: Helical focusing from ~0.9m (3 ft) to infinity, with a detailed distance scale (18cm to 9m+ marked in white, plus ft equivalents like 125% for hyperfocal cues). The throw is smooth in your photos—no binding or grit apparent.
* Construction and Dimensions: All-metal chrome-plated brass barrel (~7cm long collapsed, ~250g estimated). The front ring has a ~43mm filter thread (push-on style common for Rectaflex). The focusing ring has subtle knurling, and the aperture ring clicks firmly. No hood or caps shown, but it would pair with a Rectaflex-specific cylindrical shade.
* Serial Number: “Nr 11617” engraved on the front bezel—low in the sequence, pointing to 1950–1952 production during Rectaflex’s expansion phase. OPL French versions start similarly (e.g., #115000+ for later 1959 models), but the Italian marking distinguishes yours.
The photos reveal no major issues: Optics look clear (no visible fungus, separation, or heavy dust), mechanics seem fluid, and engravings are sharp without pitting. Minor brass patina on edges is normal for 70+ years.
Historical Context and Rarity
The Oplar name hails from OPL’s French lineup for their FOCA rangefinder cameras (1930s–1960s), where the 9cm f/3.5 was a budget telephoto in screw mount. Post-WWII, European optics firms cross-licensed designs amid recovery—OPL’s formula was adapted in Italy for Rectaflex, the world’s first production pentaprism SLR (debut 1948, beating East Germany’s Contax S). Rectaflex S.p.A. (Rome, founded 1947 by Telemaco Corsi) produced ~30,000 bodies until bankruptcy in 1955, but lenses were often outsourced to premium makers like Angénieux (e.g., their 90mm f/2.5 or f/1.8) or Schneider. Your Oplar is an outlier: a more affordable, OPL-inspired option, possibly made by an Italian subcontractor like Officine Galileo in Florence. It’s not cataloged in standard references (e.g., Marco Antonetto’s Rectaflex: The Magic Reflex, 2004), suggesting a low-volume run (<500 units) for the Series 2000/4000 cameras (s/n 2000–4500, ~1950–1952).
This lens embodies postwar innovation: Rectaflex’s bayonet was ahead of its time (pre-M42), with instant-return mirror and 1/1300s shutter. Users in era reviews (e.g., British Journal of Photography, 1951) praised such telephotos for sharp centers and “Italian warmth” in tones, though corners softened wide open. On modern mirrorless (via adapters like Rectaflex-to-E bayonets, ~€50), it delivers vintage character—glowing highlights, subtle CA, and dreamy bokeh at f/3.5.
Performance Insights
* Strengths: Excellent center sharpness stopped to f/5.6 (OPL’s Tessar roots shine here), compact for travel, and that classic brass heft. Bokeh is rounded and pleasing for portraits.
* Quirks: Vintage traits like minor flare in backlit scenes (use a hood) and focus shift when stopping down. Test on film/digital: Expect warm rendering, peaking at f/8.
* Compatibility: Native to Rectaflex bodies (e.g., 25000 series).

[ErnestSam]

i am still finding out how to post pictures on here ?

[ErnestSam]