How to use 11 o'clock 35mm Elmar?

[Rayt]

I bought a nickel 35mm Elmar online and realised upon receipt it has the 11 o'clock infinity lock. I have never seen one before. The first thing I did was to try it out on the M8 with the ltm/m adapter but it didn't work because the adapter cut out was in the wrong place. My IIIc has the slow speed dial so it doesn't work either. So now I'll need to buy a camera to use the lens! So will any Barnack without slow speeds work? I see some bodies have sort of a bump where the slow speed dial should be. Will that interfere with the lens? Will something like a Voigtlander Bessa R work? Thanks.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I have such a lens too. It will fit the Leicas I, II and Standard. Is yours coupled to the rangefinder?

Yes, it will work on Leicas with a cover on the place were the slow times knob can be installed, but when there is such a knob, it will not work.

These lenses are quite rare. They are from before the era of the Leica III, so from before 1933. Usually they are converted later so they will fit the Leica III.

Erik.

 

[David Hughes]

It looks as though you will end up with another camera...


Have fun, David

 

[Rayt]

It is coupled and has the "heavy cam". I have never seen a heavy cam aside from online photos so this is a pretty good day so far! Anyway I already have a III with slow speeds and a IIIc (converted to f) and do not want another Barnark. Do you know if the self time on the Bessa R interferes with the lens? I guess I can have the self timer removed.


*It works on my Canon 7.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I did not know that, I have no Bessas. Great that it works on the Canon.

Mine too has the heavy cam; this lens makes almost a complete rotation from infinity to 1m.

It is nice to collect the 35mm Elmar: uncoupled, coupled to a certain camera (number engraved), heavy cam and "normally" coupled.

When free from haze those early 35mm are great to work with.

Erik.

 

[Rayt]

This one is a bit hazy so I’ll have it cleaned. It does not have a serial number on the front. I have two other 35mm Elmars both coated and they are lovely lenses.

 

[Erik van Straten]

These early lenses are usually not numbered on the outside, but somewere on the inside, usually scratched with a screwdriver.

Leica M2, Elmar 35mm f/3.5 nickel, 400-2TMY/Adox MCC 110.

Erik.

 

[Rayt]

Erik, I am an admirer of your work. Are you an architect? You have a good eye for lines, depth and space.

 

[Richard G]

I’ve had mine on the Monochrom. Can’t be mounted when locked at infinity is my recollection.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Erik, I am an admirer of your work. Are you an architect? You have a good eye for lines, depth and space.

Rayt, thank you.

No, my grandfather was an architect. I am very much interested in composition. I find it one of the most important aspects of photography.

Erik.