Information needed - Leitz Elmar F1:35 screw mount lens

[marianigp]

Hi, this is my first post here and I'm looking for some help, I have a Leitz Elmar F1:35 screw mount lens does anyone know what it's for?
Thank you.

 

[cliveh]

Yes, it is a very old lens of little consequence today. Do you want to sell it?

 

[xkaes]

It's for their 39mm Leica-thread, screw-mount cameras. There are some other camera that used that lens mount too.

If it works (it probably does), and the glass is clear (it probably isn't), you can probably get a couple of hundred bucks for it.

 

[MattKing]

Welcome to Photrio. I've added some detail to your thread title and moved the thread to the 35mm Rangefinder sub-forum, because it appears to me to be a lens designed to be used on certain Leica rangefinder cameras.

Yes, it is a very old lens of little consequence today. Do you want to sell it?

I almost never say this about any Photrio members - but don't pay attention to this post from @cliveh , other than the smiley face emoticon!
Which ought to be accompanied as well by this whistling emoticon:

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Hi, this is my first post here and I'm looking for some help, I have a Leitz Elmar F1:35 screw mount lens does anyone know what it's for?
Thank you.

It's a Leitz entry-level std wide-angle lens for earlier Leica cameras. It was known as not a superior but a solid performer.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

From your picture, your lens may have haze and dirt in it. If you get it cleaned (and people here can suggest good repair technicians), and you get a thread mount Leica body, this will be a fine performer.

 

[Ballinderry-Michael]

It was made in 1941. To make your description a little more precise, what you have is a 3.5cm focal length lens with an aperture of f3.5 when wide open.

Your photo makes the lens's glass look a bit cloudy. Don't try to polish or clean it, unless you have the correct cloth or wipes for spectacle lenses. If it's not cloudy, then it should be worth what post no 3 suggests. I have the same lens (1936 in my case) and it serves me very well.

 

[marianigp]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the help it came with a Kodak Retina and a Olympus Pen FT and I didn't think it was for either of these.
I guess it's going on sale.

 

[bdial]

You are correct, it will not fit either of those cameras.
There are a number of rangefinder type cameras that can use 39mm threaded lenses however. And adaptors to fit that mount to various "mirrorless" digital cameras are common too. There are also adaptors to allow that lens to be used on Leica "M" cameras.

 

[BAC1967]

Is the serial number 570050 (1941) or 370050 (1937)? It looks like it could use a good cleaning.

 

[marianigp]

Who could I send it to to clean it? The serial number is 570050, thanks.

 

[BAC1967]

Who could I send it to to clean it? The serial number is 570050, thanks.

YYe Camera has done a few for me.
YYe Camera

 

[1957ExaktaVarexIIa]

If it's an uncoated lens it might produce that special kind of "charm" (as soon as it will be cleaned) in special situations.
Some people like this charm, some don't.

I myself have started to love it a while ago, using my uncoated 1937/38 Zeiss Sonnars. I suppose this Elmar might produce similar effects.

This is an example from the beautiful town of Nantes, France, late summer of 2023 (Sonnar 50mm f/2, Contax IIIa, Fomapan R100) - I apologize because I messed up the picture . But I think the "light effects" characterize an uncoated lens:



So I would try to get the Elmar cleaned and find a good Leica (screw-mount) body and start to take pictures .

 

[marianigp]

thanks again everyone

 

[JerseyDoug]

This could be a slippery slope I was happily using other cameras until my father, out of the blue, gave me a Leica SGOOD 85mm viewfinder. I had no 85mm lens and not even a camera with interchangeable lenses but 50+ years later I have an embarrassing number of LTM Leica bodies, lenses and accessories.

 

[marianigp]

. I'll be careful.

 

[Don_ih]

If you plan on selling, you should probably skip the service on the lens. By the time you pay for that and whatever shipping is involved, you'd lose more than half the sale value of the lens. Just sell it and let whoever buys it worry about those things. As is, it'll sell for ~$200.

 

[marianigp]

ok Don, thank you, sound advise

 

[250swb]

It looks to me like the cloudiness is on the outside so try a soft cloth and see if it wipes off. The lens is uncoated as this was only introduced in 1946 but it was Leica's main 35mm/3.5cm lens for sixteen years until the Summaron was introduced in 1946, but production of the cheaper Elmar carried on until 1950. As such there are a lot in existence but there never seem to be many for sale so yes I think it could be worth $200.

 

[marianigp]

it looks better, thanks 250swb.

 

[250swb]

it looks better, thanks 250swb.

Excellent, and it doesn't look like there is any fungus inside either, a common problem with old lenses. The price just went up!

 

[Axelwik]

So you know, that lens will fit on any Leica screw mount AND on any Leica M mount with a simple adapter including brand new Leica digital M mount cameras made today. It will fit more cameras than any other mount, including the older screw mount Canons, Nikons, etc. Even though it was Leica's basic 35mm lens it is a desirable lens to have for a lot of people.

Some people with newer cameras seek out lenses like that for the characteristic "look" of vintage glass. It's probably worth more than just a couple hundred bucks. I would say at least $300 or more depending on condition.

Edit: Looking at completed auctions on eBay nice ones go for at least $500, some a lot more.

 

[GregY]

I had a 1934 version. The results far exceed expectations....as i bought mine for $75.
I don't think you'll find one for $200..... they seem to list at $400+ these days
I got brilliant sharp 11x14" prints from mine

 

[outwest]

Some years ago I walked into a small camera shop in a small town and had a IIIc around my neck. I spied one of these lenses in a case with other odds and ends and asked if it was for sale and if so for how much. The owner looked at me and the camera around my neck and asked if I would use the lens. I said of course I would. He said $10 and I used it later that day. It is a good lens and still in use.