Leica LTM In praise of the Elmar

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
captainslack

captainslack

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Just got through scanning the first roll of Delta 100 I developed myself. It was put through my Leica IIF and exposed with an Elmar 3.5. It's only the second or third roll I've used this lens with and I have to say, WOW! I'm seriously impressed!! This is by far the best lens I've ever run across and that includes all my Nikon SLR glass.

The best example is the truck photo I'm attaching below. It's not much of a composition, but the subject is tack sharp and the bokeh is excellent! I'm very glad I picked up this little lens. Wish I had the money for more Leica glass now.

All of the below were souped in Rodinol 1+25 for 9 minutes. A couple more can be found in my gallery.
 
It looks to me like you have a winner in that Elmar. Your last shot - the street scene - shows a wide range of tones and I like it.

Walker
 
I just processed and am about to scan the first shot with my new Elmar. I took some with an Industar 50 too with thoughts of offering a comparison. The Elmar is a great little lens, very well made and you simply can't beat it for compactness.

More to follow.
 
Terrible scans, but I am happy with the first results from mine.

Delta 3200 at 3200 in DDX.
 
Here are a couple from the ID 50. Not a fair comparison in my eye as the lighting was much different. (much better for the Elmar)
 
It's almost all I use lately if I'm shooting with the Leica-the 90 Elmar looks very similar, too.
 
The little Elmar is a terrific lens. I also have a FED Industar-22 which is almost as good. The early Industar Elmar clones are a real bargain at $20 or so.

Rover I really like the first shot of the little girl. The perspective and the way she's all scrunched up puts you right there. Great pic!

 
Nice to see how these ancient Elmars can keep on surprising and pleasing people people with the performance that they are capable of. Amazing really. Hope you keep on enjoying that lens.

Nikon Bob
 
Here are a couple of shots I recently made with an uncoated 1936 Elmar 5cm. I acquired this lens recently for $56.
 
While we're discussing Elmars, does anyone shoot with an uncoated 3.5cm Elmar?

It's my standard lens on my LTM (my only LTM lens if I'm honest) and it's a fantastic performer. IMO it compares favourably with the coated Zuiko on my last film Olympus Trip - in fact in some shots it's sharper.
It vignettes wide open, but the 1930's instruction booklet which includes that lens warns about that - the vignetting disappears once the lens is stopped down a little. In some shots thats quite a nice effect anyway IMO.
 
scigeek said:
While we're discussing Elmars, does anyone shoot with an uncoated 3.5cm Elmar?

It's my standard lens on my LTM (my only LTM lens if I'm honest) and it's a fantastic performer. IMO it compares favourably with the coated Zuiko on my last film Olympus Trip - in fact in some shots it's sharper.
It vignettes wide open, but the 1930's instruction booklet which includes that lens warns about that - the vignetting disappears once the lens is stopped down a little. In some shots thats quite a nice effect anyway IMO.
Click to expand...

Yes, I do. Mine does vignette at wide-open but is sharp and does quite well. On my list of things to do is to use the 3.5cm f/3.5 Elmar lens for color.

Walker
 
i need to pay better attention to the threads here.
i just posted for advice on old elmars.
doh!!

does anyone have a 50 collapsible elmar for sale?
is there any difference between a rigid & a collapsible?

joe
 
No rigid 50mm Elmars.

The Classic 50mm/F3.5 Uncoated, then coated after WW-II;
Classic 50mm F2.8, always coated;
Modern 50mm F2.8, reformulated and very sharp.

The classics are in the $200 range, new one is >$500 or so.
 
Will have to keep my eyes open for one - I just picked up a repair project IIIf red dial and a 90/4 Elmar (uncoated) Obviously I need a 50mm and the Elmar, Summitar and Summicron are on my hit list, maybe even a Summar just for kicks.

Brian, which Elmar do you have?
 
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