Non-RF Coupled 135 Elmar?????

Rather old lens

Rather old lens

Dear William,

I could not see any serial number, but it seems to be pre-war, using A 36 filters. It is supposed to be used on a Leica directly, it is NOT a Visoflex lens, as they would need a shorter mount to compensate the Visoflex. Very early lenses, I assume before 1932 were not coupled - as there was no rangefinder in a Leica. The first Leica II and III appeared around 1932/33.

You can guess the distance and adjust the distance on the lens according. Take some pictures at defined distances to check.

Kindest regards,

Wolfram

(If the lens would be in Europe I would consider to offer you the price you paid - but with shipping, taxes it is not worth the hassle to me) :(
 
According to the Leica Manual (1965): "...the earliest 135mm Elmars were made for the Leica C and did not have a coupling mechanism for the rangefinder of the later Leica cameras."
 
Wee bit more pre-war than I bargained for, then... Oops! Pity it's not some super rare collectable. Oh, well live and learn and go play some more :D

William
 
Will, the first 135mm f/4.5 Elmars were made in 1931 and when I put you on to this one, I had no idea it wasn't coupled. As one of the very first made, it should hold some interest for a collector...... at least enough to get your money back. Very few uncoupled models were made and the entire run was only 5,200 approximately. The Elmar was replaced by the Hektor. The serial number should be on the side of the front where the aperture numbers are located, following the "Ernst Leitz Wetzlar Elmar" inscription.

I'm sorry this isn't what you wanted.

Walker
 
It isn't that big a deal - I was just surprised as I wasn't aware that they had made any prior to the introduction of the rangefinder. In theory I could find one with a bad glass and swap in this one's glass as it's very nice.

William
 
doubs43 said:
The serial number should be on the side of the front where the aperture numbers are located, following the "Ernst Leitz Wetzlar Elmar" inscription.
Click to expand...

Nope, no serial number there. There is 49376 hand engraved on the inside of the long barrel right behind where the front screws in and there is 731 hand engraved on the screwin edge of the lens head. 736 is professionally engraved on the lens head behind the apreture ring. Does the regular 135 elmar have a tripod mount on it?

William
 
wlewisiii said:
Nope, no serial number there. There is 49376 hand engraved on the inside of the long barrel right behind where the front screws in and there is 731 hand engraved on the screwin edge of the lens head. 736 is professionally engraved on the lens head behind the apreture ring. Does the regular 135 elmar have a tripod mount on it? William
Click to expand...

I'm going to guess that your lens is serial number 149376 as the number engraved on the barrel will likely be absent the first digit. Don't ask me why they did that way but I've seen it like that on several lenses. That would also place it in the 1931/1932 production era, I'd estimate. Published serial numbers only go back to 1933 beginning with 156001. I have two 50mm f/3.5 Elmars that are earlier than that.

All of the 135mm Elmars and Hektors should have a tripod mount.

The entire front section of your Elmar should screw off of the barrel so if you find another Elmar with bad glass, you should be able to swap the front sections. It can also be used with a Visoflex.

Walker
 
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