50mm f3.5 Elmar Red Scale Lens

[scautez]

Hi all, I recently picked up a 50mm f3.5 Elmar with red scale from an auction. I have the heard the term "red scale" and assume this is simple a reference to the red lettering on the distance scale. I was wondering if there was anything more to it than that? Does it tie the lens to a particular period of manufacture? Any positive of a red scale over non red scale? Thanks kindly for any input.

 

[rlouzan]

All 50mm f3.5 Elmar red scale lenses are single coated.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

As far as I know in 1951, with the introduction of the red scale numbers, the 50 f/3.5 Elmar was recalculated to use new glass types (and thus different lens element shapes). Mostly this was done for ease of production and/or because older types were no longer available.
There is hardly any noticeable difference in performance between the formulas though.

Optimum aperture is f/8

 

[Dralowid]

Is it LTM or M mount? The M mount lens is not common.

The following refers to LTM mount only and Mr Fibble has covered most of it..

If your red scale Elmar started life as a red scale Elmar then it will have a serial number from 905000 (1951) onwards. Apparently these have a flatter curvature on the front element.

If it has no serial number or has a number from before 1951 then it has been converted at the factory to red scale spec.

The serial number is very small and can be found on the ring near the aperture tab.

None of this has any impact on performance that I am aware of.

 

[Coldkennels]

None of this has any impact on performance that I am aware of.

...but a weirdly large impact on price, for some reason.

 

[scautez]

Thanks all. My version is LTM. I can see the serial number but it's very hard to read like you say. I will have to get a magnifier 🙂

 

[scautez]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/125897175@N08/51131154986/in/dateposted-public/

This is a pic of the lens collapsed on an M3.