Leitz Elmar 5cm/3.5 with a Standard

[raid]

I just got back my first roll of slide film taken with a Leica Standard and an Elmar 50/3.5 lens. It was interesting not to have a rangefinder to focus with and I had to estimate the distance and the exposure. I took only one roll of 24-exp film, and I took many of the shots in the shade since it was sunny and warm that day and I did not want my daughter to be exposed to too much sun. I very much like the results with the Elmar. I read many things about its performance before, but now I know that it is a very special Leitz lens indeed. Here are three samples from the roll.

 

[captainslack]

Nice! The Elmar 3.5 is a wonderful lens. I have one on my Leica IIf and it's my favorite 50mm by far.

 

[Nikon Bob]

Is the Leica standard and Elmar the new re issue or the old original? If it is the new one is the Elmar coated? BTW you did a pretty good job with scale focussing and exposure estimation. Having to do that gives you a real appreciation of what it took to get decent photos in the early 1930's.

Nikon Bob

 

[raid]

Bob: I am very happy about getting back 24 well-focused slides out of 24 slides total, but the slides were sometimes too dark looking since I guessed also the exposure in the shade. I have the 1934 Leica Standard and an equally old Elmar 50mm/3.5 lens. It is a real "pure" experience I can tell you. It made me smile as I took photos with this set-up. The Leica operates as smoothly as any brand new M7 (I'm guessing here). The "click" is affirmative and confidence giving.

 

[raid]

Nice! The Elmar 3.5 is a wonderful lens. I have one on my Leica IIf and it's my favorite 50mm by far.

I'm glad that you also agree with me on this issue. For me, having another 50mm lens was only meaningful if it provided me with something new that I did not already have with other 50mm lenses, and this lens provided me with something new. I used slide film so that I get back exactly what I should be getting back based on my exposure setting.

 

[raid]

Here are two more shots with the Elmar lens. I love the pastel-like rendering of colors with it.

 

[captainslack]

Anyone ever tell you your daughter looks like Kate Bush? 🙂

 

[SteveM_NJ]

Is your example the 50 elmar f3.5 - collapse or rigid ?
I have just purchased an old 50 elmar f3.5 collapse LTM (#473494), it and an adapter are on an M3 with its first roll of b/w film still in the body(want to finish the few shots and go down to process the negs in the next day or so, when i get out of work at a decent hour ).
if i am lucky, i'm hoping for results with my lens half as good.

Nice job on your roll.

Steve.

 

[raid]

Anyone ever tell you your daughter looks like Kate Bush? 🙂

You are the first person saying so. I take it as a compliment for her, but I like her for who she is.

 

[raid]

Is your example the 50 elmar f3.5 - collapse or rigid ?
I have just purchased an old 50 elmar f3.5 collapse LTM (#473494), it and an adapter are on an M3 with its first roll of b/w film still in the body(want to finish the few shots and go down to process the negs in the next day or so, when i get out of work at a decent hour ).
if i am lucky, i'm hoping for results with my lens half as good.

Nice job on your roll.

Steve.

Steve: Your lens will be contrastier, multi-coated, and most likely sharper. Mine is the collapsible version of the 3.5 Elmar from the 30's. I bought it for $100 shipped from a gentleman on PN from Hong Kong.