Chrome-barreled Elmar 50mm f3.5. A postwar, coated example. Leitz product code: ELMAR. Serial number in the 680,000 range, manufactured in 1949. 4 elements in 3 groups. Takes A36 filters. Distance scale in meters. It features beautiful coating colors, with purple, blue, and pale amber tones layered together.

The Elmar, whose history stretches back to the 1920s, continued to be refined, and by the postwar period it had evolved into a coated lens. This model is probably the most commonly encountered type of Elmar, but many examples have suffered considerable deterioration over the years. However, if you choose one in good condition, you can enjoy truly wonderful rendering worthy of Leitz’s standard lens.

The correct original hood is the FISON. Our own Flashback-made FB-07 hood for the Elmar, which allows aperture operation while the hood is attached, would also make an excellent companion.

Its compactness, something rarely found in modern lenses, is another appealing point of this lens.

This is an item we previously sold. It was carefully used by our customer, and has now returned to us once again. Welcome home for the second time!

There are only very light signs of wear on areas such as the collapsible barrel, and the overall exterior is in beautiful condition.

This lens was also overhauled in 2021, but in preparation for this resale, it was fully overhauled once again in May 2026. The aperture and helicoid are exceptionally smooth, with a very pleasant operating feel. Rangefinder coupling is spot-on. The matte anti-reflection lacquer inside the barrel has also been carefully reapplied, so you can expect images with even better contrast and definition.

There are a few very shallow cleaning marks on the front element, but they should have virtually no effect on images. There is no haze, and the glass is beautifully clear with excellent clarity. The coatings remain on each surface, and the results from our test shooting were also excellent.

Comes with aftermarket front and rear caps.