The Elmar 35mm f3.5 in nickel finish is a representative wide-angle lens from pre-war Leica. The product code is EKURZKUP, with a serial number in the 160,000 range, indicating it was manufactured in 1933. The lens has a 3-group, 4-element construction, with distance markings in feet and rangefinder coupling.
The Elmar 35mm was first introduced in 1930, and with the release of the Leica DII in 1932, it became rangefinder-coupled. By 1933, it underwent improvements, including a switch from a full-turn to a half-turn helicoid. While Elmar 35mm lenses from this era were typically uncoated, this particular lens has been coated by Leica at a later date.
This lens is compact, second in size only to the Hektor 28mm, making it highly portable. When mounted on a black or nickel Leica DII or DIII, it creates a charming, classic look. Despite being over 90 years old, it can still produce expressive imagery when used on modern digital M bodies or mirrorless cameras.
This 35mm f3.5 Elmar, in nickel finish, shows typical signs of wear, such as minor scratches and scuffing from regular use, but there are no noticeable dents or heavy damage. Given that it has been in existence for 91 years, the overall appearance is still quite good.
It was fully serviced in November 2024, and the aperture and helicoid movements are very smooth. While some Elmar 35mm lenses may have issues with rangefinder coupling, this unit works perfectly, with the rangefinder accurately coupling from the closest focusing distance to infinity.
The lens exhibits very light cleaning marks on both the front and rear elements, along with some slight signs of aging of the glass. However, this does not impact image quality. The internal anti-reflection lacquer has been carefully reapplied, and the lens shows excellent results in real-world tests, likely enhanced by the later coatings.
This is an ideal option for those seeking a well-maintained, user-ready nickel Elmar. The lens comes with the original bakelite front and rear caps, as well as its dedicated case.
