Leica IIf with my new/old Elmar 50

[MichaelHarris]

While on vacation in Chicago I met democracy face to face:

http://static.flickr.com/62/196952987_ea5af699eb_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/61/196952994_1988570f49_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/64/196952988_e1aeb6c0d7_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/75/196952993_e86878810b_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/65/196952992_00c687aab3_o.jpg

[FPjohn]

Proper use of an old lens intended to show the world as it is.
yours
Frank

[Rich Silfver]

Nice and good job on getting up and close.

[Paulbe]

Michael--saw your photos over on the photo.net, too. They are superb. I don't know why you'd have anything done to the lens! Congrats...
Paul

[MichaelHarris]

Thanks everyone. Paul the lens looks good just by looking at it but when I shine a light through it I see a bit of dust and a very small amount of haze. I'm kind of a worry-wart I guess. I wish I didn't live is such a small town so someone with more knowledge could judge the inside of the lens.

I've done some camera repair but am kind of afraid to open this lens and clean it. I looked for instructions online for opening an elmar but couldn't find anything. So I'm kind of torn about what to do.

[morgan]

Powerful images as a set, and that lens is awesome.

[Flyfisher Tom]

Very nice photos Michael.

[aad]

I think the proof is in the picture-nothing wrong with that lens!

[Ronald M]

Any haze at all effects the pics. I had some small amounts in a few old lenses and after it was cleaned, the pictures looked much better.

DAG camera repair sends them back looking like new.

[Solinar]

Sharp enough that Elmar is. It looks like the IIf / Elmar combo is a keeper.

Also, I'd bet it's pretty unobtrusive as well for street shots.

[B_Algood]

Great reportage work here Micheal, looks like the IIf/old 50 combo works just fine..I have a IIf/ 50 Summarit f/1.5 combo, works and looks great, will be looking for more of your work..

[MichaelHarris]

Thanks everyone for the kind words, I'm in the process of scanning all the negs from my trip. You don't really realize how many pictures you took until you have to sit down and scan them.

[micromoogman]

Is the lens coated and how old is old? What film did you use etc? Great pictures and technique!!

[MichaelHarris]

Thanks everyone, The lens is a coated one and the film was Reala 100. I converted it to B&W in Photoshop. I was on vacation in Chicago so I didn't want to shoot B&W and develop when I got home.

The Leica works real well in a crowd like this, it's a lot better than shoving a big SLR in peoples faces.

I just got a Summar and a Summatar and will have some images from those lens soon. I do like that Elmar though.