Early Elmars

[Erik van Straten]

gelatin silver print (elmar 50mm f3.5 fixed) leica 1a 1930

Erik.

 

[Rayt]

I’m have the Elmar 50mm f/3.5 in M mount. Is it true it has the same optics as the screwmount red scale Elmar but in M mount?

 

[Erik van Straten]

I’m have the Elmar 50mm f/3.5 in M mount. Is it true it has the same optics as the screwmount red scale Elmar but in M mount?

I think when both lenses are from the same year of production the lenses are the same.

When there is a difference in length of the lens measured from the mount of the camera the optics are different.

Apart from the very early production (1925 - 1928) all the Elmars 50mm f3.5 draw about the same. Of course when coated there will be some difference. The latest Elmars 50mm f/3.5 ("true red scale", these lenses are longer) are told to be improved, but the difference is very, very small).

The Elmars from the 1950's with an M-mount are optically the same as the screw mount Elmars from the same period AFAIK.

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

gelatin silver print (elmar 50mm f3.5 (short 1926, renovated 1950's)) leica ll

Amsterdam, 2022

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

gelatin silver print (elmar 50mm f3.5 1928) leica 1a

Erik.

View attachment 4817673

 

[Erik van Straten]

gelatin silver print (elmar 50mm f3.5 1928) leica 1a

Amsterdam Sloterplas

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

gelatin silver print (elmar 50mm f3.5 1928) leica 1a

Amsterdam, KNSM, 2022

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

gelatin silver print (elmar 50mm f3.5 1928) leica 1a

Amsterdam, NDSM, 2019

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

gelatin silver print (elmar 50mm f3.5 1934) leica lll

Amsterdam NDSM, 2019

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

In an ad on eBay I saw this picture of an old Elmar lens. Curious glass surface. Does anyone have an idea about what happened to this lens?

Erik.

 

[p.giannakis]

In an ad on eBay I saw this picture of an old Elmar lens. Curious glass surface. Does anyone have an idea about what happened to this lens?

Erik.

Looks like a reflection to me

 

[Erik van Straten]

Looks like a reflection to me

I mean the structured shine, it is as if a fine sand structure has been applied to the glass, a kind of matting. Maybe only visible when seen on a large screen.

Erik.

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

I think the reflection is showing the surface of what is being reflected. It's not a smooth surface that is being reflected, it has texture to it, which is what you're seeing Erik.

 

[Dralowid]

In other words the pattern or texture on the diffuser that covers the light source above the camera

 

[Erik van Straten]

I think the reflection is showing the surface of what is being reflected. It's not a smooth surface that is being reflected, it has texture to it, which is what you're seeing Erik.

Thanks a lot for this answer! I'll take a closer look.

Erik.

 

[GMOG]

I recently picked up a 1938 3.5/3.5 that I quite like. I've not developed the film I shot with it yet, but here are a couple taken with the Z5.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

They're tiny and apart from the aperture control, they handle so well

 

[Derek Leath]

MM246_City_At_Night_6 by Derek Leath, on Flickr

 

[Erik van Straten]

They're tiny and apart from the aperture control, they handle so well

The ring with the old Leitz code name "VALAU", originally for the lens for the the enlarger "VALOY", can be used on this lens both as a shade and and as an aperture control ring. Very convenient and not expensive because the Leitz dark room goods are all forgotten. Available in chrome and nickel.

Erik.

 

[Miles.]

The ring with the old Leitz code name "VALAU", originally for the lens for the the enlarger "VALOY", can be used on this lens both as a shade and and as an aperture control ring. Very convenient and not expensive because the Leitz dark room goods are all forgotten. Available in chrome and nickel.

Erik.

Unfortunately these days the VALAU rings are going for as much as the lenses.