50 Elmar 18 or 22 Aperature

[MinorTones]

Whats the history on the different minimum aperatures on the 50/3.5 elmars with 18 and 22 as their minimum aperatures.

Also is there an optical/quality difference beyond the DOF differences?

I'm curious and looking to buy one and this is the first I noted there was a difference.

-Mitch

 

[Ronald M]

My last version red scale from the early 1950`s. It goes to 22. I also have an old uncoated one that goes to 18.

F22 is very useable suprisingly.

The old ones are suprising good if in decent condition, but I bought a new 2.8 50 a few weeks back and the differences show in side by side comparison.