Old Elmar 50mm f3.5. Helicoid number 3. Distance scale in feet. Short barrel type with nickel-plated body. Leitz product code: ELMAR.
This old Elmar, made using glass from C.P. Goerz and mounted on the early Leica A model from the 1920s, has been factory-modified by Leitz to a Leica screw-mount rangefinder-coupled type in later years.
Includes original front and rear caps. The front cap is made of Bakelite, and the rear cap is brass.
There are minor scuffs on the collapsible section, but there is no distortion on the nickel Elmar nameplate, which is common, and the overall appearance is quite good. There are no noticeable scratches or dents. Considering the lens is nearly 100 years old, it is in excellent condition.
It was fully overhauled in July 2024. Both the aperture and helicoid operations are smooth, and the feel is very nice, making it tempting to use. The internal anti-reflective matte lacquer has been carefully reapplied, promising sharp rendering. The rangefinder coupling is accurate, and the focus is good.
There are minor signs of age-related glass fogging on various lens surfaces, and a few faint cleaning marks on the front element, but they should have minimal impact on actual images. The middle element is clear with no fogging and excellent optical performance.
Test shots were very good, showing superb image quality. All shots were taken wide open with no hood. Please refer to the test shot gallery for further details.
