Old Elmar 5cm f3.5. This early Elmar, made with optical glass from C.P. Goerz, was originally fitted as the standard lens on early Leica A models in the 1920s.
This example was later factory-converted by Leitz to a rangefinder-coupled Leica screw mount lens. It has the half-turn helicoid, meter distance scale, and helicoid number 3. This is the short-barrel version. The glass is uncoated.
A36 clamp-on diameter. It is compatible with the FISON hood and our original FB-07 hood for the Elmar 50mm, which allows aperture adjustment with the hood attached.
Although this lens is around 100 years old, it can still be enjoyed on current digital Leica M cameras with an L/M adapter. A wonderful system that connects the earliest days of Leica directly to the present.
Enjoy this early Elmar, one of the lenses that helped lay the foundation for Leica as we know it today.
Originally sold by our shop, this lens has been carefully used by its previous owner and has now returned to us once again. This is our third time offering it for sale, spanning a period of ten years.
The collapsible section shows some rubbing from use. The name ring is also very slightly distorted, though it is hardly noticeable even upon close inspection. There is some age-related dulling of the plating on the knurled section at the front of the barrel, but overall, the exterior is in reasonably good condition for an early Elmar.
For this long-awaited return to our shelves, the lens received a full overhaul in September 2026. After many years of service, this long-lived early Elmar must surely be feeling refreshed as well.
The aperture ring and helicoid now operate very smoothly, with a pleasantly damped feel. Rangefinder coupling is also excellent. The matte anti-reflection lacquer inside the barrel has been carefully reapplied, which should help produce better contrast.
Under a strong LED light, a few very faint cleaning marks can be seen on the front element, but they should have no effect on actual photographs. Our test shooting also produced good results.
The original-style flat brass front cap from the Leica A era and a rear cap are included.
