Leica Elmarit R 135mm f2.8 filter size

Help! I recently purchased a Leica Elmarit R 135mm f2.8 for my Leicaflex cameras. It has a early serial number of #2244773 which makes it circa 1968. It is in excellent condition and very sharp, love it! However, I cannot find a filter size to fit. 52 mm is to small and 55 mm is to large. Series 7 thread type is slightly to large. Series 7 drop in are to small and fall against the front element even if I had a retaining ring. Series 8 is to large and again no retaining ring to use and it's larger than the lens hood. The lens filter thread measures 53/53.5 mm. I find no filters this size anywhere! I also understand that that it probably has a different thread pitch.
Does anyone know about this situation? Any advice?

Thanks, Dan

Dan McCabe said:

Help! I recently purchased a Leica Elmarit R 135mm f2.8 for my Leicaflex cameras. It has a early serial number of #2244773 which makes it circa 1968.

Click to expand...

Dan McCabe said:

The lens filter thread measures 53/53.5 mm. I find no filters this size anywhere! I also understand that that it probably has a different thread pitch.
Does anyone know about this situation? Any advice?

Thanks, Dan

Click to expand...

Yes, it's a puzzle. FilterFind.net shows that your lens uses Series VII:

Series 7

Leica 28 Elmarit f2.8

Leica 28 Elmarit f2.8

Leica 28 Elmarit-R f2.8/28

Leica 35 Summicron f1.4

Leica 35 Summilux-M f1.4

Leica 67 Elmar f3.5

Leica 90 Summicron-R f2.0 below serial# 2770951

Leica 90 Elmarit-R f2.8 below serial# 2809001

Leica 135 Elmarit f2.8

Leica 135 Elmarit-R f2.8

Leica 135 Elmarit-R f2.8 below serial# 2772619

Leica 400 Telyt-R f6.8 - internal

Leica 560 Telyt-R f6.8 - internal

Leica 800 Telyt-S f6.3 - internal



You need the appropriate VII holder:

707A 53.5F > series 7 Tiffen black...NIB n/o...13.50 qty 1

707A 53.5F > series 7 Tiffen black...clean...9.00 qty 11

707A 53.5F > series 7 Tiffen chrome...NIB n/o...13.50 qty 2


Why did Leitz have so many different filter sizes or mounts?

According to the Leica Wiki it's a straight forward Series 7

https://wiki.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/135mm_f/2.8_Elmarit-R_I

so I think Kodachromeguy is right that you don't have the correct holder.