Unumbered Elmar 50mm lens - worn out?

[Ronald M]

One always does a small pencil AA flashlight test before buying a lens. Small keychain light works even better.

Any fogging at all makes noticeable image degradation.

The old lenses will never work like new lenses no matter how clean they are and if you use a shade. Uncoated will have less saturated pastel colors and low contrast. They have less shadow detail and highlights blow more . I have run side by side test same subjects, same roll film, same time, coated red scale 50 3.5 and old uncoated one.

I save mine for special effect photography.

 

[Krnome]

Well, I understand. The lens arrived with the camera.

One always does a small pencil AA flashlight test before buying a lens. Small keychain light works even better.

Any fogging at all makes noticeable image degradation.

The old lenses will never work like new lenses no matter how clean they are and if you use a shade. Uncoated will have less saturated pastel colors and low contrast. They have less shadow detail and highlights blow more . I have run side by side test same subjects, same roll film, same time, coated red scale 50 3.5 and old uncoated one.

I save mine for special effect photography.

 

[Simon Bruxelles]

Ronald is right. these old lenses will never produce results like a modern camera. They are much better! An old Leica demands a higher degree of thought goes into each photograph. It shows in the end result, which will hopefully be as beautiful as this outfit.

 

[Livesteamer]

I have two uncoated Elmars and I agree with what has been written about them.

I like to use Kodak Ektar, with its vivid colors, with these lenses. I quite like the results, a bit like Kodachrome and I find it a joy to use a very modern film in my old 1929 Leica 1. Joe

 

[JohnTF]

From your photos, it looks terrific now. The nickel lenses bring good prices, so it is worth fixing.

Dealers I know always use a flash light to check lenses, and they all have several sources of folks who do a lot of their repair work. They know which can handle which most effectively. Don, Sherry, Mr. Kim, Yeoxin-- and others--

Two dealers I know just about always sends out any M or LTM that comes in for a CLA to one of the above --before listing them for sale -- and they factor that in with what their offer to buy adds up to.

I have heard Yeoxin's wife is not feeling well at this time, he works long days on repairs and she helps, -- he has done a lot of work on Leicas for me and people I know going back to Compuserve Photo Forum days-- by all accounts a very decent guy.

I hear all of the repair folks have plenty of business at this time.

Luck with the sparkling clean lens, looking forward to seeing some images.

Regards, John

ps-- my avatar works just fine, though you can expect some "glow" shooting someone in a white shirt in the bright sun. Lens is pretty clean, but I had some problem shining a light through it. ;-)

 

[JohnTF]

Hi,

Have you tried/asked Leica in Germany? They repair their cameras...

Regards, David

I dropped by with a IIIc and they no longer worked on them, they would, however, forward it to the retired tech who would repair it, and return it to them.

The price was entirely to be determined down the line, but it seemed to be about 3x the value of the camera.

This was about ten years ago.

Regards, John

 

[johannielscom]

Nice! Thanks for bringing a respectable old uncoated lens back to a useful life 😀!

Now, in this forum there's a thread I started on prewar uncoated Leica glass, show some shots there! 🙂

 

[David Hughes]

I dropped by with a IIIc and they no longer worked on them, they would, however, forward it to the retired tech who would repair it, and return it to them.

The price was entirely to be determined down the line, but it seemed to be about 3x the value of the camera.

This was about ten years ago.

Regards, John

Hi,

Interesting; there was a link to a modern film for TV about Leica and in it I think they mentioned a historic repair group or, perhaps, technician.

I can't find the link but others may have it.

Regards, David

 

[JohnTF]

Hi,

Interesting; there was a link to a modern film for TV about Leica and in it I think they mentioned a historic repair group or, perhaps, technician.

I can't find the link but others may have it.

Regards, David

I do have an old friend in Germany I have not heard from for a long time, he is encyclopedic in his knowledge of old processes, - we drove to Leica, just to see what they would say about my IIIc, and to walk around.

He might know-- will try to reconnect.

I really appreciate the talents of several of the vintage repair folks, they are worth their weights in gold for sure. I have had some poor repairs, and it can really ruin your day.

J

 

[HuubL]

That's a beautiful II and the Elmar looks wonderful. Will did an excellent job! Now show us some shots please. Johan's thread is a good place to post!