IIIG + Elmar 5cm f3.5 1st Results

[Keith (M)]

Well, I developed the test film from my newly acquired 1956 IIIg + 1951 Elmar 50mm f3.5 this morning. Red Dot had included a freebie roll of FP4+ (thank you), so this is what I used, developed in Ilfosol 3. Naturally I had selected all shutter speeds and all apertures plus a variety of focus-distances, mostly of handy (but mundane) subjects. With a max aperture of only f3.5 I was not expecting too much in the way of soft out-of-focus backgrounds and was pleasantly surprised ('Bluebells' image). As to slow shutter speeds, I dug out my tripod only to find the thread size is different - doh! So I had to resort to resting the camera on the breakfast-bar worktop and using the self-timer (see 2nd image). So far the camera/lens combination is proving to be a delightful addition to my photographic armoury.

PS - Spot the seagull...

 

[Robert Lai]

Congratulations on your IIIG. It's a wonderful, small camera.
Check the exposure on each side of the frame when exposed at 1/1000.
An out of adjustment shutter will show one side of the frame underexposed relative to the other side.

 

[Keith (M)]

Thanks. The frames at 1/1000sec are evenly exposed (as are the frames at all other speeds). Which is really as it should be, the dealer having assured me it has just been serviced and it comes with a six month guarantee!

The only difficulty I envisage is finding a (yellow) filter to fit the 1951 Elmar 5cm f3.5, where the aperture adjuster is on the end of the lens.

 

[paulfish4570]

looking nice ...

 

[Nikon Bob]

Looking good. I remember the first time I used my pre war uncoated Elmar 5cm f3.5 and was stunned by the sharpness it had to offer. Still not a bad lens even today as yours shows.

Bob

 

[Simon Bruxelles]

The yellow filters aren't too hard to find - I saw one at a camera show in Frome a couple of weeks ago for £5 complete with case. I was tempted but I already have a couple so I passed.