Collapsible 50 question

[ldhrads]

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I recently acquired a 1953 elmar 50/3.5 collapsible. The manual says I risk damaging the camera if I collapse the tube. How much of a risk is this really? On a bright day I wouldn't mind carrying this very small kit around.

[UliWer]

On most of your questions you'll find some answers here:

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m9-forum/102865-screwmount-elmar-50mm-m9.html#post1084360

[wstotler]

I recently acquired a 1953 elmar 50/3.5 collapsible.

 

The thread mentioned above does have interesting photos and info.

 

I own precisely the same lens (1953 make) and it collapses A-OK on the M8--and you're OK even if the shutter fires. (I've done this, BTW.) I will not mount it collapsed, however, as I don't want the end of the lens bumping around in the throat when it's being mounted.

 

It's an interesting lens, both to focus, to set, and in terms of IQ/rendering--certainly imbues photos with a vintage glow. Not a walkabout lens for me (might be if I were an f/8 or f/11 shooter) but one with a very particular look to be used to get a mood.

 

<-- 5cm f/3.5 Elmar Lensporn

 

Cheers,

Will

[jaapv]

Well, the worst that could happen is a small ding in the paint/plastic of the sides of the throat. If the worst came to the worst, and I've never heard about this happening, a dollop of flat black paint would solve the problem.

[UliWer]

... If the worst came to the worst, and I've never heard about this happening, a dollop of flat black paint would solve the problem.

 

And if this solution should not work, you could wait for a firmware to improve the black edges on some of your photos taken with certain wide-angle lenses.

[ldhrads]

I was concerned about hitting the shutter.

Not a walkaround for me either, but I thought it would be fun to take on my trip to Canada. I've only taken one or two test shots, it looks interesting.

 

LDH

[earleygallery]

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The Red Scale version is best but optically I find it a great little lens, at all apertures. Like any older lens if it's hazy or scratched then you will get lower contrast etc.