Elmar-M 50mm f3.5!? what have I got here?

[thafred]

I seriously don´t know what got into me since I swore I won´t touch any 50mm lenses anymore...but this weekend in a weak moment I purchased a mint Elmar-M 50mm 3.5 on the Bay for 179€ not really having a clue why I would need that lens!

now, surfing the web for info I´m surprised at how little there is at all!! I could find three photos from Tom A. in the M-Mount group and a few on Flickr in general but that´s about it....not even in the Leica lens compendium I could find Info...

So, Do you have any History on this model of the Elmar?
is it a rare bird in the leica lenses and I should sell it to the next collector? how´s performance compared to the other elmars? is it the same lens as the LTM f3.5 elmar just in M-Mount?

questions over questions....I don´t have it yet but I´m quite curious to know something about this lens....(it could be a keeper for it´s small size..)

pic (from the bay) is attached

thanks in advance!

 

[Bosk]

From what I've been told, they're rare but not outrageously so. Optically they're identical to the earlier 50 3.5 but mechanically the same as the later 50 2.8.

You may want to confirm that with someone more knowledgeable than myself however.

Congrats on your win!

 

[Nikon Bob]

This may help a little http://www.kbcamera.com/elmar50m.htm .

Bob

 

[Tom A]

The 50f3.5 M mount is basically the 50/3,5 Red Scale Elmar in M mount. It is not a "rare" lens, but uncommon. It was designed for the first series of M3's in 1954 and I think they made about 10 000 of them. I have always found it slightly sharper and better contrast than the early version of the 50/2.8.
It has several advantages over the LTM nount. A/the aperture ring is easy to use as it is a more conventional M type ring. B/ It takes 39 mm filters and a standard 50mm hood/ C it does collapse to a truly compact package.
It is a 4 element design, but at that time Leica had started coating their lenses and with this lens they got it right. It has a really good close up performance too.
The price you paid is fair and I would just stick it on a camera and shoot with it. You be surprised how good it is. So, it is not a "super fast" lump, but just a damned good 50!
I have both the 50/3,5. 50/2.8 1st version and the 50/2.8 II. The latest version is a bit more convinient as it has a parallell mount (the front of the lens stays put, while the earlier ones have a rotating mount and you are forever chasing the aperture dot). The 50/2,8 II rivals the Summicron 50 IV for sharpness and contrast, but in spite of this, I often use the 50/3,5 as it has a nice compact feel to it.Try to find the "matching set", a 35/2.8 Summaron (better than the f3.5) and my favourite, the 90f4 Collapsible. Same optic as the LTM 90/4 but a build quality that has probably not been matched since!

 

[thafred]

thanks for the congrats bosk!!

Nikon Bob, thank you for the link, saved it 🙂

Tom, after reading your informative answer I´m not anymore puzzled but excited to have bought this lens! thank you soo much!
btw that 90/4 coll has intrigued me for a long time, I´ve seen them go for reasonable money on the bay and think I´ll get a good one someday (I only really need that fl at travels so there´s time)

all the best
fred

 

[markinlondon]

Those collapsible 90s are really heavy, Fred. Apart from the DR Summicron they are the most impressive bit of lens engineering you could hope to find.

 

[xayraa33]

I found that the M f3.5/50mm Elmar to be sharper than the original f2.8 Elmar.

 

[raid]

I have the original Elmar 5cm/3.5 LTM. It is a sharp lens that can deliver very nice looking images, both color and B&W.

 

[FrankS]

I found that the M f3.5/50mm Elmar to be sharper than the original f2.8 Elmar.

But not at f2.8! 😉

 

[xayraa33]

But not at f2.8! 😉

it was sharper to my eyes at the middle f stops when comparing both lenses at the same f stop value Frank.

 

[FrankS]

Just foolin'! Notice the 😉

 

[raid]

The old Elmar looks super cool on old cameras.
In particular, it the lens to use with the Standard Leica.

 

[xayraa33]

Just foolin'! Notice the 😉

yes, Mr. Winky Face.

I just thought that I might have been vague on my first post.

 

[thafred]

Those collapsible 90s are really heavy, Fred. Apart from the DR Summicron they are the most impressive bit of lens engineering you could hope to find.

thanks mark, that statement makes my mouth wet 🙂 also the DR is the summicron I´m after (ether that or the most recent one) the ability to go closer than 0.7m would be a very nice feat. for casual shooting!

xayraa33: wow sounds great that the 3.5 rivals or betters the 2.8 (1st version)!! I´m soo looking forward to this lens 🙂

Raid: I have a pre-war elmar wich is in the badest condition imaginable ;-) the lenses are dusty and scratched and the mount is wobbly...also the front ring is severely dent so it´s not pretty to look at but has pounds and tons of character! sharpness is not up to anything I have but thats due to the wobbly mount and severe flare I guess...
a similar lens I got, a Fed50 (coated) is in perfect condition and delivers impressive sharpness and details when stopped down...

excited how the M-Elmar compares to those lenses:

elmar 50mm f3.5 prewar uncoated (f12,5)

Fed 50mm f3.5 coated (f11)

I sure will post pictures as soon as I get the puppy 🙂
thank you all for your answers!

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica M2, M Elmar 50mm f/3.5, TriX.

Erik.