Identify this early Elmar

[m4malious]

Hi experts

Can you help identify this early, non-serialised, Elmar?

See attached.

The outer mounting ring of this lens does not have the rim ridge that holds the focus lock at infinity - its just a complete circle.

I'm wondering if this lens is designed to fit a standardised mount - it has the "0" stamped on it - but using the hockey stick focus lock?

Thanks
M

 

[john neal]

Probably converted from an early non-standardised camera - there are lots out there.

The flange diameter tends to be a little smaller than the later ones that were produced to the standard film to flange dimensions. Often infinity is at 11 o'clock when mounted on the body as that is where they would have mated with the hockey stick, as you suggest

 

[Dralowid]

Yes, if it was one that pre dates the infinity lock it would not have the catch for the lock on the mounting flange (because the hockey stick would do the job).

The screw hole on the focusing 'lever' or sticky out bit where the push button would be is too small for an infinity lock.

erm...well I know what I am trying to say but having re-read it I don't really understand what I have said. Hope you do!

 

[Richard G]

Doesn't the zero on the mount make it a standardized lens...?

 

[john neal]

Yes - the zero would be applied by Leitz as part of the conversion from the original setup to confirm the lens would work on any standard body - they would have adjusted the flange to ensure correct focus register.

 

[HuubL]

All of the above, the missing finger support that screwed in the lever could have been a push button, like Dralowid said, but than the lens would have had a wider flange with infinity lock. This one is indeed the narrow flange. I guess it rather was a simple finger support without lock functionalty as was present on hockey stick bodies. The elongated screw in the flange is missing too. Here it would function both as a short distance as well as an infinity stop, as this early elmar lens turns a full focusing circle.

 

[Dralowid]

it is possible that this is a lens from a non standard Leica C that was converted to standard. these had the early 1a stule knurled/grooved tiny knob with no lock. most of the bodies and lenses were converted to Standard and remarked as such. obviously, it was later cannibalized for some parts.

It is possible but like birdwatching one should always assume that the thing you are looking at is the most common or likely species first and then try to disprove it!