To be with an Elmar ?

[eoeaa]

Hi range-friends,

I have an itch to get an elmar 50/3.5 to go with my leica II. I am currently using an industar 50, which is good... and cheap... but doesn't feel... totally right. Is it worth looking for an elmar to complete my leica II? Do you have advice on how to acquire one in the U.S. (more specifically Chicago)? I am not picky on cosmetics, but I am looking for good condition glass and mechanics. What's the going price these days?

Thanks,

eoeaa

[xayraa33]

Check out what KEH has for sale:

http://www.keh.com/Camera/format-35m...c=80330&r=WG&f

[colyn]

The Elmar is a fine lens but is going over $300 in bgn condition at KEH. Don't be afraid to try one in ug condition since you can return or exchange it if you don't like it.

Be sure to get the proper hood for it..

[Bingley]

The Elmar 50/3.5 is well worth seeking out , and Leica made a lot of them. In addition to KEH, I suggest contacting Youxin Ye who sells Leica gear on ebay under the name Wye7.

Youxin also has a website: http://www.yyecamera.com/buy-sell.html

I bought my Elmar from him in an an ebay sale a few years ago - couldn't be happier with how that transaction turned out.

[charjohncarter]

I try not to do much 35mm film anymore, but it seems I'm always doing it. I like my Elmar which I've had for 50 years. If I had to take a 35mm picture that was to count for something, I'd use my 50mm/f3.5 Elmar. I'd like to have a hood, because into the sun it does flare, but not as bad as some others I have. It is collapsible, but I leave mine locked out. I just don't want anything to go wrong with it. For the money you will have to spend, it will be cheap compared to many other Leica lenses.

[Rico]

These days, KEH prices are way out of line for Leica lenses. I see good selection and decent prices at Tamarkin; also scan Igor Camera. Ebay is still the best deal, but you need experience and time to burn. The Elmar 50/3.5 is awesome for an antique (mine is the Red Scale).

[eoeaa]

Thanks xayraa33, colyn, Bingley, charjohncarter, Rico, for your the advice. I will look around and let you know if I find one.

Anyone has thoughts on how the Elmar compares with the Industar. Is there a noticeable difference between the two?

[Brian Legge]

Depends entirely on the elmar and industar you are comparing - and what you are using them on.

I went through the same progression. I started with an Industar 50 (though it took a few buys to find a good one...). Was happy with it but wanted to try an Elmar. I picked one up directly from DAG. Very nice condition.

I don't know if I could tell the difference between shots taken with either lens though. Both can be extremely sharp, etc.

[charjohncarter]

Originally Posted by Brian Legge

Depends entirely on the elmar and industar you are comparing - and what you are using them on.

I went through the same progression. I started with an Industar 50 (though it took a few buys to find a good one...). Was happy with it but wanted to try an Elmar. I picked one up directly from DAG. Very nice condition.

I don't know if I could tell the difference between shots taken with either lens though. Both can be extremely sharp, etc.

I don't know if this is true but Leica LTMs were said to have the best film plane holding ability. That is why they were so reluctant to go with a door and a pressure plate (not that the LTMs did not have pressure plates), but they felt that the film was more efficiently held flat in the Barnack cameras. I can't say for sure but I like my Elmar 50mm on my IIIf better than I do on my BessaR which I also love (just not as much).

[Brian Legge]

Sorry to be clear - in both cases the body was a Leica IIIc

[charjohncarter]

Brian, I'm sorry I didn't mean anything negative; I was just saying I got a good Elmar 50 years ago. And I have only used it on 2 cameras, of which, I like the IIIf results the best. I don't know why or if I'm right. It is just a sharp lens on my Leica.

I have maybe eight 40mm to 52mm lenses and I still like the Elmar the best (with the Olympus 35RC a close second).

[mdarnton]

Chicago? Central Camera is less than a block from my shop. Walking by one day, I noticed a tray with six or seven Elmars in it in their window. I walked in, picked one, paid for it, and walked out with it. Maybe five minutes spent, total. The price was completely correct. Try them first, since you're here.

[goamules]

Here is a comparison I did between the Elmar and Industar. For my copies, the Elmar was much better.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/foru...d.php?t=113110

[Dez]

As I recall, Central Camera in Chicago has a pretty good rep, but why not check out ebay? There are usually piles of Elmars there. See if you can find a decent post-war, coated Elmar; check the descriptions carefully, ask questions, don't assume anything unless it is stated in the listing or the vendor answers your question. If the vendor will not answer questions, go elsewhere. If you are patient, you will find something excellent at a good price. You really don't need to get a high-priced red-dial version- you're paying for scarcity rather than performance with those.
People tend to be paranoid of ebay, but if it is a reputable seller with good feedback and good information on the lens being sold you are in good shape. Ebay is quite good at resolving disputes, almost always in the buyer's favor. I have bought and sold a lot of camera gear on ebay, and I would say the transactions have been more than 95% satisfactory.

Cheers,
Dez