Leica LTM Leica Prototype or Rip off

[irq506]

I currently have a 3.5cm f3.5 Elmar collapsable screwmount lens, which with extensive research does not appear in any of my catalogues, books or any other information on the web. i have spoken to countless collegues about it and relucatantly have come here to ask is anyone knows anything about a lens of this nature. Its got a Black Face with white text (this is the most unusual part of it because its usually silver face with black text, also its barrel is shiny silver, -leitz collapsables have always been non shiney rather a metallic finish, this one is mirror-like.

Upon testing the lens it is extremely sharp with very little light fall off in the range of field.

So if anyone has any suggestions, or if anyone knows anyone else please let me know, I could be sitting on an extremely well made fake -better then the lens its supposed to copy- or an extremely rare Leica prototype.

 

[thafred]

HI,
Sounds like an russian fake to me (silver shiny barrel and black front rim is a indication for a fake...after all the chrome looks different on elmars.. less mirror like.)...If you want to be sure, just look at the aperture blades. are they directly behind the first lens element (Leitz) or are they somewhat deeper in the lens (Zeiss Tessar and clones)?

Excellent site: http://jay.fedka.com/index_files/Page444.htm

What puzzles me is that you wrote 3,5cm collapsable..isn´t it a 50mm lens?? what´s the FOV?

don´t be sad if it´s a fake (except you´ve paid a premium for it) since the Industars are very very nice lenses! Tessar footprint and quite good coatings! did I say compact?

 

[pvdhaar]

Upon testing the lens it is extremely sharp with very little light fall off in the range of field.

Sounds a lot like my Elmarski.. (actually a collapsible FED 50/3.5)

I guess what I want to say is that unless you payed big bucks, you should not worry and just enjoy shooting with it!

 

[irq506]

Oh... I paid nothing for it, it was sent to me for further investigation. Looking at that site makes me believe that it is in fact not a fake. The aperture blades are directly behind the first element. Aperture ring looks like the fake, though. and it is very definitely a 3.5cm, I even chanced it and tested it against another 35mm and yes its a 35mm(3.5cm).
If it is in fact a fake, then its a very good one, and is in fact considerably better lens then the other Leitz we have tested it against. It performs similarly to the Canon Serenar 50 which surprised me with its clarity.
Id like to know any further opinions on this before I come to any formal conclusion.

 

[Nikon Bob]

Maybe the Leica Historical Society of America can help with your question.

Bob

 

[thafred]

Looking at that site makes me believe that it is in fact not a fake. The aperture blades are directly behind the first element.

wow thats unexpected! you don´t have some pictures of it I assume?

Nikon Bob makes a good point...mail the LHSA and keep us updated!

 

[FrankS]

You have a 35mm collapsible lens? Sure it's not a 50mm f3.5? A 35mm lens would not have to collapse, it is tiny to begin with, like my Summaron.

 

[CameraQuest]

what is the serial number?

can you post pics?

Thanks,
Stephen

I currently have a 3.5cm f3.5 Elmar collapsable screwmount lens, which with extensive research does not appear in any of my catalogues, books or any other information on the web. i have spoken to countless collegues about it and relucatantly have come here to ask is anyone knows anything about a lens of this nature. Its got a Black Face with white text (this is the most unusual part of it because its usually silver face with black text, also its barrel is shiny silver, -leitz collapsables have always been non shiney rather a metallic finish, this one is mirror-like.

Upon testing the lens it is extremely sharp with very little light fall off in the range of field.

So if anyone has any suggestions, or if anyone knows anyone else please let me know, I could be sitting on an extremely well made fake -better then the lens its supposed to copy- or an extremely rare Leica prototype.

 

[aad]

I have heard of a 35mm Elmar collapsible. I'll ask around.

 

[NIKON KIU]

The fact that u call it a 3.5cm rather than 35mm makes me wonder.
If it is in centimeters then that clearly narrows down the date.
I can understand if you don't want to post images but a little more description (serial number,Fstops,focus markers...)would help the identification.

Kiu

 

[arbib]

Photo of REAL Leitz 3.5cm F/3.5 Elmar. Made 1932

Photo of REAL Leitz 3.5cm F/3.5 Elmar. Made 1932

Found a Elmar 3.5cm 3.5 om the Bay
S# 155133
link
http://cgi.ebay.com/Leica-Elmar-3-5-cm-f3-5-Ser-155133-1932-Nickel-First_W0QQitemZ300071755258QQihZ020QQcategoryZ30063QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Photo

Don't know if it is collapsible though... NO side view in ad

 

[dslater]

Actually, I don't understand, why wouldn't someone want to post pictures of his/her lens?

I can understand if you don't want to post images but a little more description (serial number,Fstops,focus markers...)would help the identification.

Kiu

 

[NIKON KIU]

Actually, I don't understand, why wouldn't someone want to post pictures of his/her lens?

I would, it is a choice. There are many myths out there regarding this subject.
But thats not what I am saying,let me say it in a different matter,one that could be offensive to some and very clear to others.
The thread starts by posing a question to identify a certain lens, one that the poster claims to be unique or even a prototype.
We do get very little info to make a reasonable conclusion though,as if we can determine what a lens is with the following description:

I currently have a 3.5cm f3.5 Elmar collapsable screwmount lens, which with extensive research does not appear in any of my catalogues, books or any other information on the web. i have spoken to countless collegues about it and relucatantly have come here to ask is anyone knows anything about a lens of this nature.

Lets be frank,the poster claims he had done extensive research spoken to many colleagues(whoever they are) with no results but he expects us to clarify this mystery without providing:

• The dimensions(weight,lenght,depth,radius
• the filter thread size
• the full engraving on the lens
• the direction of focus ring
• the range of F stops
• The pesence of click-stops
• the serial number
• ....

And we are suppose to figure out if its a prototype or fake

Kiu

 

[dslater]

Actually I was hoping someone would enlighten me about the downside of displaying a picture of your lens. For example, I once saw a lens for sale on ebay where the image displaying the serial number had been edited to make the number unreadable. Why would someone do this ( assuming they were not selling a stolen item.)

I would, it is a choice. There are many myths out there regarding this subject.


Kiu

 

[jlw]

Actually I was hoping someone would enlighten me about the downside of displaying a picture of your lens. For example, I once saw a lens for sale on ebay where the image displaying the serial number had been edited to make the number unreadable. Why would someone do this ( assuming they were not selling a stolen item.)

For one thing, it keeps some wiseacre from claiming YOU stole it from HIM!

 

[irq506]

My apologies for not getting back here sooner, Ive been busy!

Ok so, yes it is indeed a 3.5cm f3.5 lens, that much is certain. There is a very distinct possibility that it is a russian copy, but from what I have been able to accrue from all those I have shown it to, it is aparantly a bit of an interesting lens mainly because of its appearance. That black face, the repainted engraved lettering and the diaphragm being up front as opposed to recessed like other copies, are causing a little confusion ass to what kind of a copy it is. Some have said that it could very possibly be a reuilt Leitz lens using foreign parts.
I am awaiting information from leica regarding this.

I hopefully will have images up here as soon as I can get some other matters attended to.