{"overview":"The Leitz 500mm f\/8 MR-Telyt-R is a manual-focus super-telephoto mirror (catadioptric) lens for the Leica R SLR system, using a folded reflex optical path to keep the barrel compact for a 500mm focal length. It was aimed at wildlife, sports and long-distance subjects where R-series users needed extreme reach without the bulk of a conventional refractive 500mm.","market_narrative":"At recent UK auction the MR-Telyt-R has changed hands for between £550 and £750 at the hammer, with a two-sale median of £650 — wholesale saleroom levels, before buyer's and seller's commission and well below typical dealer retail in 2026. With only two recorded results the sample is thin, so condition, completeness of the dedicated hood and case, and clarity of the mirror element drive what any individual example sells for today. Buyers asking what a 500mm MR-Telyt-R is worth should treat this band as an indicative auction value rather than a firm price.","buying_guide":"Inspect the front and rear elements and the internal mirror for fungus, haze and cleaning marks, since coating damage on a mirror lens has an outsized effect on contrast. Check that the focus ring turns smoothly without stiffness or grease migration, look for oil on internal surfaces, and confirm there is no separation in the cemented groups; mirror lenses can also suffer from de-silvering of the reflective coating, which shows as patchy reflectivity and is not economically repairable.","specs":"Key specifications confirmed from the supplied data: 500mm focal length, f\/8 fixed maximum aperture, mirror (catadioptric) design, Leica R bayonet mount.","faq":[{"q":"What is a Leitz 500mm f\/8 MR-Telyt-R worth today?","a":"Recorded UK auction hammer prices sit between £550 and £750, so a clean, complete example is broadly worth around that range at saleroom level before commission."},{"q":"How much does a 500mm MR-Telyt-R sell for at UK auction?","a":"The two logged sales fetched £550 in 2010 and £750 in 2014, giving a median price of £650 hammer."},{"q":"Why does the value vary on this lens?","a":"Condition of the mirror and front element, smoothness of focus, and presence of the original hood and case materially affect the price; hazy or fungus-affected copies sell well below the £750 top end."},{"q":"Will the MR-Telyt-R fit a Leica M camera?","a":"No — it is an R-mount SLR lens and is not compatible with M rangefinder bodies without a dedicated adapter system."}],"confidence":45,"reasoning":"Specs block is empty and only two unverified sales records are available, so market figures are indicative rather than statistically robust."}