Elmar, is it THAT portable?

[jett]

One thing that I never quite understood was the Elmar (f3.5 version, specifically).

I know that it is flat on the an LTM/M body but do you guys not transport it with a hood? Do you not use a hood?

Everyone is different but I prefer to leave my hoods attached so that I do not lose them and so that I don't have to fuss with attaching them every time I pull out my camera. I ask because I'm looking into collapsible lenses and with a hood attached at all times, the classic Elmar lenses don't seem that much more portable than say a Collapsible Cron or Summitar. They don't appear to be much cheaper either, and they are generally more fiddly.


The modern Elmar-M is a different case...

 

[johannielscom]

Simply never leave the hood on the lens. It will fall off anyway if you try to pocket it with the clamp-on hood attached.

Or, you could leave the hood at home, wear a hat and use that to shield the camera from the sun, like in the good ole days... I find it actually helps to deflect peoples attention from the camera and the picture, taking off the hat and holding it up in the air 😀

 

[Ko.Fe.]

How about Elamar+Hood compared to Summitar+hood, if you prefer hoods attached.

 

[Pioneer]

I use the hood but I take it off when I put the camera in my pocket. I have to extend the lens to be ready to take pictures anyway so slipping the hood in place takes very little extra time. It is small and slides easily into my pants pocket.

 

[jett]

How about Elamar+Hood compared to Summitar+hood, if you prefer hoods attached.

What do you mean by this?

if someone has a size comparison then that would be great.

It seems that most elmar fans slip it on before shooting ...I guess it depends on how you like to carry it.

 

[Silme Ea]

Hood? What is 'hood'? 🙂
I don't know why could someone be needing a hood for an Elmar... Unless intentionally placing sun near frame borders. Summitar is a different story though.

 

[Dez]

Hood? What is 'hood'? 🙂
I don't know why could someone be needing a hood for an Elmar... Unless intentionally placing sun near frame borders. Summitar is a different story though.

Depends on the lens, I guess. I have a nice old Lieca II with an uncoated Elmar. If I want any contrast at all, I need to be sure the lens is shaded. I generally shade the lens with my hand when it is likely to flare. Fortunately the old Barnacks are easy to handle one-handed.

Cheers,
Dez

 

[thegman]

For a short time, I used a IIIf with the collapsible Elmar, and it is indeed extremely portable, far more so than a Leica M.

I never bothered with a hood, on any camera in fact, I've never really felt the need.

If you don't mind the faff of film loading etc. on the IIIf and it's ilk, then they are beautiful, tiny, useful little cameras. And for Leicas, pretty affordable.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

What do you mean by this?

if someone has a size comparison then that would be great.

It seems that most elmar fans slip it on before shooting ...I guess it depends on how you like to carry it.

Elmar with hood is still more compact comparing to other collapsible 50 LTM lenses with hoods on them.
But If you leave hood on lens the portability is thrown away anyway.

I have Elmar FSU copy and Leitz Summitar. Elmar is much more portable. Period.

 

[Pioneer]

Elmar with hood equals much better pictures than Elmar without hood. This is usually the case with older lenses, even if they are reasonably flare resistant. Also, if your lens is un-coated you are always better off with a hood. A PITA for sure but I have just developed the habit so it is no big deal. YMMV but my hit ratio is not that high to chance ruining a good shot because I didn't want to take an extra few seconds to install a hood. 🙂

 

[Mudman]

Mine came with the hood, I've never (knock on wood) had it come loose.

 

[zuiko85]

To each his own.

My Leica's in for service but I leave hoods attached on the 3 lenses I have for it.

The CV 21 f4 has a 39mm to series 6 adapter with retaining ring. Thats about all the hood it can take.
The CV 35 f2.8 PII has a 39mm metal screw in hood with lens cap from e-bay seller Heavystar.
The 90 f4 Elmar has a 34mm to series 5 adapter with a small diameter metal hood.

None of them add too much size to the lens in my opinion.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

The 36mm lens cap fits over the end of the 36mm slip on lens hood or FISON. Tried it out on my Leica I and it works OK but is a bit bulky.

Given the cost of a genuine hood and lens cap for an Elmar I'd not risk dropping and losing one by carrying them in my pocket on a camera. But I'd advise using both, no point in risking flare or scratches.

EDIT Later: it's odd but not one of the fitted cases they made for the screw mount camera outfits seems to have allowed you a space for a lens hood. No do they mention them in the 30's catalogues by the camera body and lens combinations.

Regards, David

 

[Pioneer]

EDIT Later: it's odd but not one of the fitted cases they made for the screw mount camera outfits seems to have allowed you a space for a lens hood. No do they mention them in the 30's catalogues by the camera body and lens combinations.

Regards, David

I suspect that some of us (myself included) concern ourselves about little things that rarely make much difference. Hoods are probably one of those things. But it does eliminate one possible problem and is easy for me to do. Developing a monopod habit would likely make more difference to my pictures then a hood. That habit has not come to me quite as easy. 🙂

 

[traveler_101]

I have a hood for my Summar. And it is needed (experience talking). 1946 single coat "Elmar" f/3.5 : forget about the hood and forget about filters. That way you get quick access to the camera to get that shot that suddenly appears; in addition without hood you get easy access to the Elmar's aperture dial on the face of the lens. Uses this way on a III series, you have the world's most portable quality camera. If that ease of use and ultra-portablity doesn't appeal to you get a Summitar, which requires a hood and can take filters easily, and forget about the Elmar.

 

[jjtelecaster]

My Elmar 3,5 always has a FISON hood on, with a solid grip; it won't fall apart easily.

Cameras still qualify as compact and portable with the hood on. YMMV

Juan