Elmar 3.5/50mm question

[dougcee]

I was looking on the internet at an Elmar 3.5 50mm collapsible lens from a European seller. He didn't have a serial number in the ad for the lens. I asked and his response was "no serial number".
Fake, right? Thanks!

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Someone will probably chip in, but I recall some early Elmars did not have serial numbers on the usual spot (or at all).

 

[papaki]

Serials on Elmars began from 80000 on in 1933. Apparently this one is a pre-80000 Elmar.

 

[dougcee]

Thanks guys. Guess it could just be very old!

 

[Ronald M]

We some not fitted to a single early cameras and are not interchangeable ?

 

[Richard G]

I think that's correct. And my standard 1932 11 o'clock nickel Elmar has no serial number.

 

[Dralowid]

If it has no number it should (most likely) be nickel and not chrome. It is possible to have a numberless chrome lens but not so common. The Elmar s/n is on the small black ring around the lens, barely visible unless you know where to look.

The fake Elmars are usually chrome. They are normally easy to spot by their aperture tabs being different though very early Fed lenses are very similar to the Elmar...but then they have a number on the reverse of the mounting flange.

A picture would help!

 

[peterm1]

The serial numbers on early 50mm Elmar lenses are notoriously difficult to see unless you know what to look for. Even then, if your eyesight is not tip-top. From memory mine had 1934 serial numbers but I had the same problem till prompted to look on the black steel ring around the front element where the aperture adjustment lever is located. The numbers are tiny and are black on black making it doubly hard to see. I have sold mine so cannot check but I think you will find this info to be accurate. Suggest the vendor looks there using a magnifying glass.

 

[Dralowid]

This may help a bit...sorry the pics aren't much good.

The first is a lens with no serial number:

IMG_1230 by dralowid, on Flickr

The second, even worse pic shows the serial number all but invisible in the top right hand side of the black ring:

B&C 003 by dralowid, on Flickr

The seller can be forgiven for not seeing it if it is there.

 

[mcfingon]

If it doesn't have a serial number, make sure it has a "0" on the focusing tab to show that it is standardized for interchangeable use.

 

[dougcee]

Here's a picture.

 

[mcfingon]

Interesting. It's a later type, like my 1946 Elmar by the aperture scale numbers. The serial should be almost opposite the tab to move the aperture size, about where the "m" in Elmar is.

 

[Erik van Straten]

This lens looks very strange. The f-stop numbers on the dept-of-field scale are the old numbers, but those on the front flange are new!

It is not a conversion model. Then it would be coated.

I don't know what it is.

The glass-part looks original with it's iridescent colors.

Erik.

 

[traveler_101]

"The Leica A had a fixed, collapsible lens and depended upon scale focusing." https://www.cameraquest.com/leicaa.htm

If this lens was actually attached permanently to Leica A, it wouldn't have a serial number right? I am just wondering if that could be the case.

NO, the f-stop numbering is not the old European system.

 

[dougcee]

Even though the price is right, I may avoid this one.
Thanks everyone for the good advice!🙂

 

[Dralowid]

Newer lens 'barrel' in older focussing mount. No guarantee of accurate collimation. Unless very cheap, pass.

 

[dougcee]

Thought I'd let you guys know I picked up an Elmar 50mm 3.5 from a seller in Japan. From 1938, uncoated and clean inside and out. Can't wait to get it!
Thanks for all the good advice you gave me. 🙂