earleygallery Posted November 26, 2006 Share #1 Posted November 26, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have a 1942 5cm Elmar 3.5. I'm very impressed with the performance of this lens although at the time I bought it my local Leica dealer had a lovely minty red scale in stock, and I since wondered if I should have gone for that one. A friend from this site recently e mailed me a link to a red scale for sale in Germany, which I've bought. Described as mint and a late version. At the same time I also found a 2.8 version for a very good price and didn't want to miss it! So I will now have 3 very similar lenses. I will run a film and take test shots with each. Ultimately I think I should just keep one but it will be hard to part with any of them! Madness really. In advance of my own tests, can anyone tell me what the changes were to the RS (I understand there were optical changes and better coatings) and the benefits of the 2.8 (apart from the aperture ring and filter sizes). Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 26, 2006 Posted November 26, 2006 Hi earleygallery, Take a look here Elmars 5cm 3.5, Red Scale & 5cm 2.8. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
robert_parker Posted November 26, 2006 Share #2 Posted November 26, 2006 James I've an 1956 Red Scale Elmar with a coating - generally it's easy to focus and sharp but if you're if you're working in colour and doing your own scanning, the colour correction is not easy (the later 2.8 Elmar is much better) but results are generally good in B+W without excessive contrast Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard Posted November 27, 2006 Share #3 Posted November 27, 2006 James, I have two red scale Elmars (all red scale Elmars are coated, btw), one from 1951 and the other one from 1956 (inherited the latter one from my father), so I'm probably biased:), but I just love this lens. They both perform identical and while their color rendition is a tad more blueish than todays Leica lenses, I do use them for color slides often (mostly with a Skylight filter though) and am quite pleased with the results. Full aperture may be used without reservation, which surprised me. I once had the later 2.8 version from a friend for testing purposes (it came fresh from a CLA at Leica), and noted that at its full aperture it is worse (less sharp and less contrasty) than the 3.5 red scale Elmar. Stopped down the 2.8 improves a lot, but I really didn't see noticeable differences to the 3.5 Elmar. I find both my 3.5 Elmars very, very sharp when stopped down to f5.6 or 8, a joy to use (though changing apertures is a bit of a pain). I'd keep at least one red scale Elmar if I were you, it just goes with your IIIf so well. Regards, Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted November 27, 2006 Share #4 Posted November 27, 2006 50 3.5 are color negs are not hard to scan. This would be the traditional 50mm lens for a Leica. Small and compact. The picture quality is a little oldfashioned, a quality I happen to like for many things. The 2.8 is a step in the more modern looking direction, although nowhere like the newest 50 2.8 which is like the rest of the modern lenses. I would keep one of the 50`s after comparision tests on the same subject/same time. Consumer printing services may not show differences that do exist. There are digital algorithims employed that change too many things. The 35 Elmar was Leica`s first effort at a wide angle. The corners are not sharp until well stopped down and suffers field curvature and is not a factory coated lens. The colors will be dull compared to a coated lens like the 3.5 or 2.8 50. Either 50 will be far better than the 35 Elmar. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
asmith Posted November 27, 2006 Share #5 Posted November 27, 2006 My RS Elmar is an excellent lens used on my IIIf with Provia. The diaphragm adjustment is a bit fiddly but there is a hood ( code Valoo ) which engages with the diaphragm setter and makes it easy. I don't have one but I think Malcom Taylor has one for sale. Alwyn Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted December 4, 2006 Author Share #6 Posted December 4, 2006 Well, I picked up the 2.8 on Friday and the 3.5 RS arrived in the post today. Both in very clean condition, can't wait to try them all out. I'll post the results in this thread for anyone who might be interested. Anyone know what the difference is between the 2.8 I have and the latest version? Pictured 3.5, 3.5 Red Scale & 2.8 Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/10128-elmars-5cm-35-red-scale-5cm-28/?do=findComment&comment=110843'>More sharing options...
wizard Posted December 5, 2006 Share #7 Posted December 5, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) Anyone know what the difference is between the 2.8 I have and the latest version? James, the latest version of the 2.8/50 Elmar is a big step up from the old one, more so than from the 3.5RS to the old 2.8 Elmar lens, where I find it hard to notice any significant improvements. The improvements with the current Elmar 50 are definitely more noticeable, the new lens being ultra sharp and contrasty even wide open. Nice row of lenses, btw . Regards, Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted December 16, 2006 Share #8 Posted December 16, 2006 I would have too keep them all, but then I`m a Leica lens junky. If dire financial straights required keeping only one, it would be the red scale. Second choice the 2.8. The previous poster got it right about the new vs old 50 2.8. The name is the only similarity. The only problem with nice collapsibles like this is they get barrel scratches when collapsing so you tend to not want to collapse them. Use some car wax, real wax,not modern coatings, and make sure the barrel is free of debris and push it straight in and you will be fine. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted December 16, 2006 Share #9 Posted December 16, 2006 Hi James, Any tests results to share ? Regards jc Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted December 19, 2006 Author Share #10 Posted December 19, 2006 Sorry, I've not had a chance to use the lenses yet, partly due to the flu and the rush to get ready for Christmas. But I'm looking forward to shooting with them over the break. Watch this space...... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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