How old is my Leica Elmar 5cm f/3.5 ?

[KallumR]

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Hey all, 

I have been trying to date this Leitz Elmar f/3.5 5cm for a while and can't seem to dig up precise information on this version. I think it might be a 1930s conversion but would like another opinion. It doesn't have a serial number, but I don't believe its a fake as it has all the other correct hallmarks of a genuine (aperture tab, engravings, knurling etc.). It is obviously pre-49 as it has the older aperture scale. It has two stamps on the bottom, a 7 within a diamond and 42. 

would love to hear what you all think, 

K. 

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[Pyrogallol]

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The experts will know, but it looks a bit like a modified Russian lens to me, particularly the chrome ring around the outside of the aperture adjuster ring. The stamped numbers on the back don’t look right either. The “pin” or “bell push” infinity catch only lasted a short time with Leicas but much longer with Russian lenses. The picture of the back of a lens is my Russian FED lens.

Edited September 25, 2022 by Pyrogallol

[Pyrogallol]

You will get more responses if this question was moved into the collectors &historica pages.

[01af]

vor 4 Stunden schrieb KallumR:

... would love to hear what you all think [...]

It is a (fairly well-made) fake. The sketchy font of the front ring's inscription gives it away. So, no way of telling when it was made ... it might even be post-1949.

[a.noctilux]

Fake Elmar for me, but can be good lens, just use it 😉.

First look, the "a" in Elmar is weird , the "5" in 5cm is not right, and other small details pointed to fake ...

[luigi bertolotti]

Too many "wrong" details in the front engravings (and on the distance scale, too) ; moreover (even if dozens of variations exist) I seem to remember that "5 cm" and focus knob of the "bell-push" type do not match....  I strongly suspect is a russian fake.

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Edited September 27, 2022 by luigi bertolotti

[earleygallery]

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Agree, Russian fake. Still should be a useable lens though.

[pippy]

2 minutes ago, earleygallery said:

Agree, Russian fake. Still should be a useable lens though.

It might be but I'd suggest that it's probably best to verify focus-accuracy before important use as the FED / Zorki cameras have a very slightly different lens-mount flange to film plane distance in comparison with Leica.

Philip.