What's Wrong With this 50mm Elmar?

[dcsang]

Just before retiring for bed last night I spotted a 50mm Elmar on Ebay and tossed in a bid - seeing as how most Elmars go for about $150+ USD I figured I would lose - I was surprised when I won, and that the cost was a lot less than I expected.

Now I'm wondering.. what's wrong with the lens? 🙂
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7594646417

Outside of the "no serial number", and based on the seller's description, I can't see an issue. The "no serial number" of course may suggest that this is a "fake"? I expect cleaning marks on the lenses that are of this age.

Any ideas? or did I get a bargain? (of course, I'll find out once the lens shows up..)

Dave

 

[Skinny McGee]

To me it looks correct... I am not an expert (althought I do play one on TV). Maybe when he said it looks like it has a smudge that turned people off.. There have been a good bit of nice elmar pass thru ebay here lately...... I would say you got a good deal and not to look a gift horse in the mouth.... Can't wait to see some shots.

Skinny

 

[jaapv]

Seemes fine. It must have been your lucky day 🙂

 

[jonasv]

Maybe everyone else was watching the Oscars show?

 

[FrankS]

SErial numbers on 50mm Elmars are small and difficult to see. If it has one, it will be on the rim around the rear element. Often missed.

 

[doubs43]

SErial numbers on 50mm Elmars are small and difficult to see. If it has one, it will be on the rim around the rear element. Often missed.

Frank, the serial number should be on the small brass rim surrounding the front element. The exception, I believe, are pre-interchangeable Elmars that were matched to a specific camera. I have one - made 1931 or '32 - that has a serial number on the surround and doesn't go to infinity on a standard LTM camera. That suggests that it was matched to a specific camera although I can't find any numbers to confirm that. The lens would normally have the final three numbers of the cvamera serial number marked somewhere. There is no adjustment for infinity other than building the RF cam up as Brian has done on other lenses. I'm not sure it would work but I haven't tried it on this lens so don't know for certain.

Walker

 

[dcsang]

Thanks guys.. 🙂

I'll now sit and wait for the seller to pack and ship.
If it's a nice lens, I think this is a bit of a deal then.. 🙂

Cheers
Dave

 

[terrafirmanada]

Good go Dave! This one is on my short list too. Can't wait to hear what you think. Cheers

 

[FrankS]

Frank, the serial number should be on the small brass rim surrounding the front element. The exception, I believe, are pre-interchangeable Elmars that were matched to a specific camera. I have one - made 1931 or '32 - that has a serial number on the surround and doesn't go to infinity on a standard LTM camera. That suggests that it was matched to a specific camera although I can't find any numbers to confirm that. The lens would normally have the final three numbers of the cvamera serial number marked somewhere. There is no adjustment for infinity other than building the RF cam up as Brian has done on other lenses. I'm not sure it would work but I haven't tried it on this lens so don't know for certain.

Walker

Walker, you're probably right. I don't have my lens in front of me and I was going by memory (big mistake!) 🙂

 

[AGN]

As Walker suggests, the serial number on my Elmar is on a brass ring surrounding the front element. Very tiny and easy to miss.

Dave, it looks like you got a fantastic deal, good luck with your purchase.

Enjoy, Art

 

[reagan]

One other flaw... it's coming to your house and not mine. Hope you'll contact the seller with the correct shipping address [mine!] Sure looks nice. Wording in description doesn't sound like he's trying to hide something. You did good, Dave. Good luck!

 

[back alley]

sexy - nexy....mmmmmm

 

[jkelly]

Dave,

Just the fact that there are more 5cm Elmars for sale than any other LTM lens means that one will slip through now and then for a reasonable price. I picked one up about a month ago for $56. The attached photo was shot with it.

 

[OldNick]

It looks very much like my Elmar, except that mine is in meters, not feet. I suspect that, with a good magnifier, you can pick out he serial number and date it.

 

[dcsang]

sexy - nexy....mmmmmm

Shush Joe 🙂

It's a LONG story.. 😀

Dave

 

[dcsang]

And thanks for the comments guys.. I just couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that it went for a "decent" price considering I had seen many others go for upwards of $180 lately.

Cheers
Dave

 

[dcsang]

Well.. The lens arrived today!! (fast shipping - standard mail, no customs, no taxes) and it's a lot better than I expected!!

There's no haze/fog/fungus and if there are any scratches I can't see them with my eyes. Focus throw is smooth and the aperture blades are clean.

This was an incredible find (hmm... I sound like the late Jacques Cousteau when I say that..).

Now I have to test it out but till I develop some film shot with it... Here's some pics 🙂

Dave

 

[MCTuomey]

Yup, looks about perfect on your III ... makes me think of Garbo.

 

[John Shriver]

Interesting -- meter scale, yet with a Germany marking, so it's an export lens. Does it have a serial number?

 

[juggler]

I knew I would find the answer here in RFF... 🙂

I was worried that I have a fake Elmar 5cm/3.5 because I don't see any serial number. Now I've found it on the blacken brass rim as described. But quite small that I got to use a loupe to see the numbers clearly.

BTW - I don't notice any serial number in Dave's lens above. Why? Or is it imprinted somewhere else?