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Elmar 50mm f3.5, commonly known as the Red Scale Elmar, featuring red depth-of-field markings. Leitz product code: ELMAR. Serial number in the 1,060,000 range, manufactured in 1953. 4 elements in 3 groups. A36 slip-on filter size. Focusing scale marked in meters.
The Red Scale Elmar represents the final version of the A36 Elmar 50mm f3.5, a lens whose production history stretches back more than 30 years to the days of the Leica Model A.
As you would expect from the ultimate evolution of the A36 Elmar, its exceptional build quality is evident in every detail, from the solid, rigid construction of the lens barrel to the beautiful texture of its satin chrome finish. A truly refined and beautifully crafted lens.
The original matching Leitz hood is the FISON. Our Flashback Original FB-07 hood, specially designed for the Elmar and allowing aperture adjustment without removing the hood, would also make an excellent companion.
This particular example is an especially fine performer, delivering outstanding image quality!
There is a slight distortion to the front name ring, but this does not affect use. Apart from this, the lens is in quite nice cosmetic condition, with only minimal wear to the collapsible barrel.
The lens underwent a full overhaul in October 2026. Both the aperture mechanism and focusing helicoid now operate smoothly. Rangefinder coupling is spot-on. The matte black anti-reflection lacquer inside the barrel has also been carefully reapplied, promising improved contrast and more defined rendering.
The front element shows a fair number of cleaning marks, and the coating on the rear element is missing. However, actual shooting tests revealed that this particular example performs unexpectedly well, in the best possible sense. Even when shooting against the light, there was no noticeable loss of contrast. True to the character of the Red Scale Elmar, it delivers sharp images even at maximum aperture.
A thoroughly serviced Red Scale Elmar, ready to be enjoyed as a practical everyday shooting lens.
