3.5cm Elmar coating?

[Robbie Bedell]

I just bought a 3.5cm Elmar for a very good price. (#271245). I think this is from the 1930s so should be uncoated. But this one seems to have a slight blue reflection. I know some lenses were sent back to the factory to be coated. How can I tell if mine is coated or not?....Also...where can I find those tiny screw-in filters?

 

[-Nash-]

Some were returned back to the factory for coating.
Although this is a 5cm '49 example, you can still see the coating.

 

[Steve M.]

The filters can be found on auction sites. Look for the ones for Argus cameras (made by Walz). I think they're 19mm. Back in the past I had a whole set that I bought for around $30. Keep in mind, these are old filters and surely not multi coated, but w/ a good hood, no matter. In fact, you might be better off w/ a 36mm push on hood/filter combination. Leica did make a special hood for these so that you could adjust the aperture w/ the hood on, but to me they're way too expensive and heavy (sorta ugly as well).

 

[Ronald M]

Blue = coated either by Leitz or third party. Clean VERY carefully.

 

[rickp]

i just sold my 35mm elmar (uncoated, from 1940) with the FOOKH lens shade. with just the shade on, it is still possible to change the aperture.

with a little patience, you can find the A36 filters for reasonable prices. i found a UV, two shades of yellow and a medium green over the space of about 30 days.

you'll be pleased with the results when you use the lens shade. it fits over the A36 filter.

enjoy your lens - it's quite a good performer.

 

[Roger Hicks]

There were several companies that offered coating of old lenses: it needn't have gone back to the factory.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Robbie Bedell]

Thanks to all! I am now on the hunt for 19mm filters. And I am looking for a shade, but they are more than I paid for the lens. I have some extra shades for my M lenses I might trade for one.

 

[Robbie Bedell]

By the way I still can't tell for sure about the coating. I will try and post a photo before the end of the day.

http://robbiebedell.photoshelter.com

 

[Robbie Bedell]

3.5 Elmar

3.5 Elmar

Here is a photo of my Elmar. And now that I compare it to Rick's ex-lens, I think mine is uncoated after all. It may have a touch of that natural coating of old glass. I am still looking forward to using it. I sold my 35 Summicron a couple of years ago, swearing to stick to my 50, but...well...you know how that goes...

http://robbiebedell.photoshelter.com

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Beware of 19mm filters. Some cover the aperture lever like this:

Regards, David

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Here is a photo of my Elmar. And now that I compare it to Rick's ex-lens, I think mine is uncoated after all. It may have a touch of that natural coating of old glass. I am still looking forward to using it. I sold my 35 Summicron a couple of years ago, swearing to stick to my 50, but...well...you know how that goes...

http://robbiebedell.photoshelter.com

This looks like an uncoated lens- but, old glass picks up a "bloom"- outer layer of glass "tarnishes", changes the index of refraction, and acts like a coating. This is how the "coating" a lens was started- an artificial method of "bloom" on a lens.

 

[Robbie Bedell]

3.5 Elmar

3.5 Elmar

Thank you Brian. I think you are correct. It looks like the bloom, but the blue I am seeing really does not show in my photo. I must be crazy. I keep looking at the front element with a magnifyer and some nights I swear I see a definite blue coating and some nights I don't! I found two 19mm filters from Manfred Schmidt in Chicago. This is the only wide lens I have for my Leicas now and I cannot wait to use it. Thanks everyone!

 

[Luddite Frank]

Hi Robbie,

I have an un-coated 35mm Elmar, s/n 400xxx (?) (c. 1940) that has actually been my main lens on my 1934 III for about five years now...

I finally acquired a FIKUS 35 - 135 extendable hood about three years ago.

It is somewhat "soft" in contrast, and could definitely benefit from a CLA, but it has delivered hundreds of decent photos.(Color)

I used it to document of a couple of architectural restoration projects on a building I used to work in, with good results.

I need to try it with B&W some day...

Share some pics from yours when you have a chance !

Luddite Frank

 

[Garyn]

Hi Robbie,
I recently acquired a 1936 50mm Summar ( with a Leica III ) that at first looked like it was coated, but like your conclusion, it looks like bloom. Looking at the lens in certain light it does appear have a blue cast to it, the images I have made with the lens look okay for a 75 year old lens.

 

[Robbie Bedell]

Thank you Garyn, and yes that is my conclusion also. I developed some film a couple of days ago and when I print soon I will show some photos. The exposures were made in bright sun stopped down and looking on the light table as sharp as can be, and much more contrasty than I expected. I want to do some more wide open and then will post at that time. It might take a while as I have family stuff to deal with.

http://robbiebedell.photoshelter.com

 

[Garyn]

With my Summar and Leica III , I shot a roll of black and white and a roll of color ( Ektar 100 ), both looked fine, the black and white had reasonably good contrast and sharpness ( lens was stopped down )