Two23 Posted July 17, 2012 Share #1 Posted July 17, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) My first Leica! I now have a Leica IIIc and Elmar 50mm f3.5 (c.1930,) and a VIOOH finder for 35/50/90/135. I'm wanting to put together a little system. Goal: lenses of 1940s vintage, all use same lens shade, filters. I might sell the 50mm f3.5 and replace with a Leica 50mm f2 collapsible. I also want an Elmar 90mm f4. Here's where I need help. I want one lens shade to use on all three lenses. That would be the FIKUS made for 35/50/90, right? I also want to use filters yellow/orange/red on all three lenses, preferably while also using lenshood at same time. Filters don't need to be Lecia brand. I know there is an adapter for Leica E36 filters to be used on A36 lenses--would that work for me? Finally, regarding lens hood. I've read the FIKUS hood will fit the Elmars 35mm f3.5, 50mm f3.5, 90mm f4, but does it also fit the 50mm f2? What I want to end up with is my Leica IIIc, with lenses from 1940s of 35mm/50mm/90mm, a lenshood that can be used with all three lenses, and Y/O/R filters that can be used on all three lenses. Is this do-able? What do I need? (Without spending $150 on a lenshood or something.) Kent in SD Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 17, 2012 Posted July 17, 2012 Hi Two23, Take a look here Newbie Needs LTM Help. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
ismon Posted July 17, 2012 Share #2 Posted July 17, 2012 Standardization is the key to any outfit. The combination of a FIKUS and A36 filters will fit your Elmars, Summar, and Hektor. You'll be covered from 35-135 without going broke. Typically the price for a FIKUS (from a dealer like KEH) is $50, and filters (well) under $20. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted July 17, 2012 Share #3 Posted July 17, 2012 If the requirement is 35+50+90, SAME hood, SAME filters, the only way is using the A36 standard lenses, to say (example) Elmar+Elmar+Elmar, or (other possible combination) Summaron (35 f 3,5) + Summar (50 f2) + Elmar (90 f4) ; Summar is the only 50 f2 lens that can use the A36 filters, and FIKUS is the only variable hood , and it fits A36 lenses (and it can easily be mounted onto a lens which has an A36 filter onto). As for filters, my advice is to look for Leitz original A36... they abound in the market (at least, in the "common" colors) and are not costly. If you want to USE regularly your vintage set, I'd give some more advices : - Is always a pity to renounce to a GOOD Elmar 50 - A GOOD Summar is not an easy find - Summaron 35 is significantly better than Elmar 35 - Elmars 90 are really cheap to acquire: better to spend in the (relatively) high range and get a postwar coated item with glass+coating in good shape (this advice comes from me, as owner of 7 Elmars 90 of different ages... ) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two23 Posted July 18, 2012 Author Share #4 Posted July 18, 2012 Yes, I intend to use this camera, not display it. That's why I'm looking for a system. Keep in mind I really like the vintage look of images made with uncoated lenses--the softness, the low contrast. What I'm after is a kit that would have been familiar to any serious amateur or even a professional during the 1940s. My Elmar 50mm f3.5 seems to be a pretty nice one, and I just might stay with that. I shoot at night a lot, but this probably won't be the camera I use very often for that. Now to find a FIKUS hood that does 35/50/90 and the Y/O/R filters. Thanks! Kent in SD Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two23 Posted July 18, 2012 Author Share #5 Posted July 18, 2012 Hmmm. I did a lot of online searching and could not find a lens shade that covers 35mm to 90mm. It seems the FIKUS only covers 50mm to 135mm. Is there such a shade in A36 that will cover 35-90mm? Is there a way to put something together that will using adapters. Kent in SD Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted July 18, 2012 Share #6 Posted July 18, 2012 Hmmm. I did a lot of online searching and could not find a lens shade that covers 35mm to 90mm. It seems the FIKUS only covers 50mm to 135mm. Is there such a shade in Asubtle question that some expert could surely enlighten us about36 that will cover 35-90mm? Is there a way to put something together that will using adapters. Kent in SD The FIKUS had several variations (was on pricelist for 30 years about...) and indeed the last versions are described as 50-135 (example : 1957 catalog) whilst the older are described as 35-135 (example : 1933 catalog : the item clearly has the two lines with engravings "3,5" and "5") ; is a subtle question on which some expert could surely enlighten us... my feeling is that there are also items (as mine) which do not bear the "3,5" engraving but can be retracted below the "5 cm" line... but have not idea if the most recent version did indeed have something that PREVENTED their usage on 35 mm lenses... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ismon Posted July 18, 2012 Share #7 Posted July 18, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) No problem. The FIKUS was designed for 35 to 135mm lenses. Over its long life span, its engravings changed. Use it as marked for your 50 Elmar--but use it fully collapsed fo a 35 Elmar, and also for the 50 Hektor and Summar. It's a great multi-purpose shade. I also agree with your general goals. I converted my M series outfit to all pre-war gear. (And an A-36 filter fits on the FRONT of a 105 Elmar shade). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlet Posted July 18, 2012 Share #8 Posted July 18, 2012 This is how my FIKUS looks, 3,5 (though unmarked) - 13,5. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted July 18, 2012 Share #9 Posted July 18, 2012 ... and my one lacks the 3,5 mark... [ATTACH]325510[/ATTACH] .. and there are also versions in millimeters... [ATTACH]325511[/ATTACH] ... and the USA versions for the Wollensak 127mm (with the mark JUST A BIT lower than the 135...) [ATTACH]325512[/ATTACH] All in all, someone has counted about 20 variants... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
UliWer Posted July 18, 2012 Share #10 Posted July 18, 2012 The FIKUS had several variations (was on pricelist for 30 years about...) and indeed the last versions are described as 50-135 (example : 1957 catalog) whilst the older are described as 35-135 (example : 1933 catalog : the item clearly has the two lines with engravings "3,5" and "5") ; is a subtle question on which some expert could surely enlighten us... my feeling is that there are also items (as mine) which do not bear the "3,5" engraving but can be retracted below the "5 cm" line... but have not idea if the most recent version did indeed have something that PREVENTED their usage on 35 mm lenses... My old FIKUS with marks for the 5cm Hektor does not fit on my - postwar - 3,5cm Elmar. The lenses knurling makes it a little bit too big for the FIKUS. Though Lager Vol. II p.36 shows a FIKUS with 3,5cm marks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two23 Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share #11 Posted July 19, 2012 You guys are incredible! I spent several hours looking into it and came up with no answer. You guys nailed it immediately. Kent in SD Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted July 19, 2012 Share #12 Posted July 19, 2012 Definately keep the 5cm Elmar and look for a faster 50 as well - the Summar is f2 and a good one (which is indeed scarce) is an excellent lens. I have 3, one is poor (it came with my lllf and suffers from what looks like separation) and 2 really nice ones. I still regret the decision not to buy a boxed and mint version I saw at a camera fair - I didn't appreciate just how rare an item that was at the time! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted July 19, 2012 Share #13 Posted July 19, 2012 You guys are incredible! I spent several hours looking into it and came up with no answer. You guys nailed it immediately. Kent in SD Better 10 that know then 1 is looking for ...(variation of a known proverb) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomas_schertel Posted July 20, 2012 Share #14 Posted July 20, 2012 It is possible to find some vignetting by using the 3,5/35 mm Summaron with the fikus hood, even fully collapsed. you should use FOOKH with this lens (FOKH fits mechanically on all A 36 lenses. But the shading effect ist smaller on lenses > 35 mm, as with FIKUS). yours sincerely Thomas Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.