Leitz Elmar 50mm F/3.5 [I]

Standard prime lens • Film era • Discontinued

  • Announced:
  • · 1930
  • Production status:
  • ● Discontinued
  • Country of design:
  • · German Reich
  • Original name:
  • · Leitz Elmar 1:3,5 F=50mm
  • Order No.:
  • · ELMAR
  • · ELMARKUP
  • · ELMARCHROM - chrome-plated
  • Class:
  • · Slow full-frame standard prime lens
  • System:
  • · Leica SM (1930)

Model history (8)

■Leitz Elmar 50mm F/3.5 [I] [ELMAR, ELMARKUP, ELMARCHROM] [LSM] • CollapsibleM4 - 31.00mA36 1930 ●
■Leitz Elmar 50mm F/3.5 [II] [ELMAR] [LSM] • CollapsibleM4 - 31.00mA36 1951 ●
■Leitz Wetzlar Elmar 50mm F/3.5 [III] [ELMAR / 11010] [LSM] • CollapsibleM4 - 31.00mE39 1954 ●
■Leitz Wetzlar Elmar 50mm F/3.5 [III] [ELMAR-M / 11110] • CollapsibleM4 - 31.00mE39 1954 ●
■Leitz Wetzlar Elmar 50mm F/2.8 [I] [ELMOO / 11512, ELMOO / 11012] [LSM] • CollapsibleM4 - 31.00mE39 1957 ●
■Leitz Wetzlar Elmar 50mm F/2.8 [I] [ELMOM / 11612, ELMOM / 11112] • CollapsibleM4 - 31.00mE39 1958 ●
■Leica Elmar-M 50mm F/2.8 for M6J (1640 units) • CollapsibleM4 - 30.70mE39 1994 ●
■Leica Elmar-M 50mm F/2.8 [II] [11831, 11823] • CollapsibleM4 - 30.70mE39 1995 ●
—Leica Elmar-M 50mm F/2.8 "Anton Bruckner" [11839] (200 units) • Collapsible 1996 ●
—Leica Elmar-M 50mm F/2.8 "Schmidt Centennial Anniverary" (150 units) • Collapsible 1996 ●
—Leica Elmar-M 50mm F/2.8 "Jaguar XK" (50 units) • Collapsible 1998 ●
—Leica Elmar-M 50mm F/2.8 "150 Jahre Optik" [10484] (30 units) • Collapsible 1999 ●
—Leica Elmar-M 50mm F/2.8 "HANSA 80th Anniversary" (100 units) • Collapsible 2001 ●
—Leica Elmar-M 50mm F/2.8 Gold (1 unit) 2020 ●

Specification

Optical design:
35mm full frame
50mm
F/3.5
4 elements in 3 groups (Cooke triplet derivative)
Leica screw mount
46.8° (35mm full frame)
Diaphragm mechanism:
Diaphragm type:
Manual
Aperture control:
Dial-set aperture ring
10 (ten)
Focusing:
Coupled to the rangefinder:
<No data>
1m
Focusing modes:
Manual focus only
Manual focus control:
Focusing lever
Physical characteristics:
125g
<No data>
Accessories:
Slip-on 36mm
FISON / 12510
FISONCHROM
VALOO / 16620
FIKUS / 12530

Source of data

  • Leica lenses booklet (PUB. 1356) (March 1950).

Manufacturer description #1

The Standard Lens "Leitz-Elmar" F/3.5, 5 cm. focus. Owing to the favourable choice of focal length and relative aperture, this lens is the most suitable universal lens for small size negative photography, and cannot be displaced by any of the special lenses, for it has a particularly well graded depth of focus, resulting in a remarkably realistic effect in respect of space. It will therefore always remain the most ideal lens for the majority of amateur photographers.

The tubular socket of the "Leitz-Elmar" 5 cm. lens is pulled out for photographing and locked in a bayonet catch by turning it to the right (clockwise). When the camera is not in use the lens socket is turned to the left and pushed into the camera body.

Manufacturer description #2

The standard lens of the LEICA is the world-famous ELMAR having a maximum aperture of f/3.5 and a focal length of 50mm. Of the wide range of LEICA objectives it is the most useful general-purpose lens. It is highly corrected to ensure crisp definition and accurate focus in colour work. Its aperture is sufficiently wide for all but exceptional purposes.

The SUMMITAR f/2 is of the same focal length but passes three times as much light as the ELMAR at full aperture. As is to be expected it is larger and heavier than the standard lens. It is intended for the experienced LEICA-photographer for use under difficult lighting conditions.

Both ELMAR and SUMMITAR are fitted with collapsible mounts, the barrel sliding into the camera body when not in use. The lens is drawn out and locked in position by a slight clockwise turn, and returned to its collapsed position by reversing the movement.

From the editor

In 1930 produced for the non-standard Leica I (Model C). Standardized version appeared in 1931. Rangefinder coupled since 1932. Originally in nickel finish, but chrome finish introduced in 1933 (from 1936 chrome only). Coated since 1946. Aperture scale changed post-war to international standards: 3.5, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16; soon afterwards the minimum aperture was reduced to f/22. A limited number were made in black finish to match black Leica IIIf cameras.

Notes

  • LEICA lenses HEKTOR 28/6.3, ELMAR 35/3.5, HEKTOR 50/2.5, ELMAR 50/3.5 [I], [II] have the aperture scales engraved on the front of the lens mount. The iris is opened and closed by adjustment of a small finger-piece engraved with an index line. On all other LEICA lenses the diaphragm is controlled by means of a milled ring.
  • All LEICA lenses having a focusing lever are automatically locked at the infinity position. This feature enables the camera to be used for infinity scenes and subjects without danger of the lens becoming accidentally out of focus due to unintentional movement. To release the lever for focusing on nearer planes press the knob at the end of the lever.

Other standard prime lenses in the Leica SM system

■Leica screw mount (11)
Leitz Elmar 50mm F/3.5 [II] [ELMAR] • CollapsibleM4 - 31.00mA36 1951 ●
Leitz Wetzlar Elmar 50mm F/3.5 [III] [ELMAR / 11010] • CollapsibleM4 - 31.00mE39 1954 ●
Leitz Wetzlar Elmar 50mm F/2.8 [I] [ELMOO / 11512, ELMOO / 11012] • CollapsibleM4 - 31.00mE39 1957 ●
Leitz Hektor 50mm F/2.5 [HEKTO, HEKTORKUP, HEKTOCHROM] • CollapsibleM6 - 31.00mA36 1931 ●
Leitz / Leitz Wetzlar Summar 50mm F/2 [SUMAR, SUMARKUP, SUMARCHROM]M6 - 41.00mA36 1933 ●
Leitz / Leitz Wetzlar Summar 50mm F/2 [SUMUS, SUMUSKUP, SUMUSCHROM] • CollapsibleM6 - 41.00mA36 1934 ●
Leitz / Leitz Wetzlar Summitar 50mm F/2 [SOORE / 11015] • CollapsibleM7 - 41.00mE36.4 1939 ●
Leitz Wetzlar Summicron 50mm F/2 [I] [SOOIC / 11016] • CollapsibleM7 - 61.00mE39 1953 ●
Leitz Wetzlar Compur-Summicron 50mm F/2 (150 units)M? - ?1.00m 1954 ●
Leitz Wetzlar Xenon 50mm F/1.5 [XEMOO]M7 - 51.00mA51 1936 ●
Leitz Wetzlar / Leitz Canada Summarit 50mm F/1.5 [SOOIA / 11020]M7 - 51.00mE41 1949 ●

Lenses with similar focal length

■Leica screw mount (25)
Serenar / Canon 50mm F/3.5 [II] LSM • CollapsibleM4 - 31.00mS.VI 1952 ●
Cosina Voigtlander Heliar 50mm F/3.5 LSM "Heliar 101 Years Limited Edition" (2000 units) • CollapsibleM5 - 31.00m⌀27 2001 ●
Cosina Voigtlander Heliar 50mm F/3.5 LSM "Cosina 50th Anniversary, Bessa 10th Anniversary" (600 units) • CollapsibleM5 - 31.00m⌀27 2009 ●
Konishiroku Hexar 50mm F/3.5 LSM • CollapsibleM4 - 33.5 ft.A36 1955 ●
MS Optics MS-Mode-AH Apoqualia 50mm F/3.5 LSM • CollapsibleM5 - 31.00m⌀30.5 2009 ●
Nippon Kogaku Nikkor-Q·C 50mm F/3.5 LSMM4 - 31.5 ft.⌀34.5 1950 ●
Nippon Kogaku Nikkor-Q[·C] 50mm F/3.5 LSM • CollapsibleM4 - 33.5 ft.A36 1945 ●
Industar-50 50mm F/3.5 LSM
akaИНДУСТАР-50 50mm F/3.5 [П]		M4 - 31.00m⌀33 ●
Industar-50 50mm F/3.5 LSM • Collapsible
akaИНДУСТАР-50 50mm F/3.5 [П]		M4 - 31.00m⌀33 1953 ●
Industar-22 50mm F/3.5 LSM • Collapsible
akaИНДУСТАР-22 50mm F/3.5 [П] [МОСКВА / ЗОРКИЙ]		M4 - 31.00m-- 1948 ●
Industar-22 50mm F/3.5 LSM
akaИНДУСТАР-22 50mm F/3.5 П		M4 - 31.00m ●
FED 50mm F/3.5 LSM • Collapsible
akaФЭД 50mm F/3.5		M4 - 31.00mA36 ●
FED 50mm F/3.5 LSM "Industar-10" • Collapsible
akaИндустар-10 50mm F/3.5
akaФЭД 50mm F/3.5		M4 - 31.00mA36 ●
FED 50mm F/3.5 Close Focus LSM • Collapsible
akaФЭД 50mm F/3.5		M4 - 30.50mA36 ●
Tanaka Kogaku Tanar 50mm F/3.5 LSM • CollapsibleM4 - 33.5 ft. 1952 ●
Tanaka Kogaku Tanar 50mm F/3.5 LSMM4 - 33.5 ft. 1954 ●
Tanaka Kogaku Tanar 50mm F/3.5 H.C. Close Focus LSMM4 - 31.5 ft. 1955 ●
Tanaka Kogaku Tanar 50mm F/3.5 H.C. Close Focus LSM BlackM4 - 31.5 ft. 1957 ●
Tokyo Kogaku Topcor 50mm F/3.5 Tessar Type LSM • CollapsibleM4 - 33.5 ft.A36 1955 ●
Tokyo Optical Topcor 50mm F/3.5 Elmar Type LSM • CollapsibleM4 - 33.5 ft.A36 1954 ●
Tokyo Kogaku Topcor 50mm F/3.5 Tessar Type LSMM4 - 33.5 ft.⌀34 1955 ●
Tokyo Kogaku Topcor 50mm F/3.5 Elmar Type LSMM4 - 33.5 ft.⌀34 1955 ●
Tokyo Optical [C.] Simlar 50mm F/3.5 LSM • Collapsible
akaTokyo Optical State 50mm F/3.5 LSM		M4 - 33.5 ft.A36 1946 ●
Nicca-L·C 50mm F/3.5 LSM • CollapsibleM4 - 33.5 ft. 1949 ●
Lena-Q·C 50mm F/3.5 LSM • Collapsible
akaReise-Q·C 50mm F/3.5 LSM		M4 - 33.5 ft. 1954 ●

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FISON / 12510 (1925-1963)

The first Leica hood, for the ELMAR 5cm. In its earliest form it had a simple push-on fit and a rectangular opening at the front. The hood was black and there was an index line on the front part of the barrel to re-align the hood after focusing the lens. By 1933 the opening was round, thus eliminating the need to re-align after focusing. By 1935 the hood had assumed its familiar form with the clamping ring and screw. It was available black or chrome and a chrome version was made by Leitz, New York, and engraved as such. There are many minor variations.

VALOO / 16620 (1949)

Combination lens hood and diaphragm adjusting ring for 50mm, f3.5 screw mount ELMAR with 36mm front diameter. Filters mounted in the front of the hood.

FIKUS / 12530 (1933-1965)

Extendable hood for lenses of focal length 3.5cm to 13.5cm. Outer black sleeve slid over the nickel or chrome graduated sleeve and was locked in position by a set screw. The black lower collar carried the usual clamping ring and screw. Early ones nickel inner sleeve, later ones chrome. Leitz, New York also made an all chrome version. Many variations in engravings: e.g. four focal lengths 13.5cm, 9cm, 5cm and 3.5cm with "Hektor" to the left and "Elmar" to the right of the scale; three focal lengths only with no 3.5cm and only "Elmar" to the left; 13.5, 9 and 5 with two positions for the 5, the lower one having "Hektor" to the left and "Summar" to the right.