Leitz 5cm Elmar (red scale)
the standard for 50mm
Late model (red scale) Elmar 5cm (50mm) lens. This example was produced in 1956 and is still capable of very fine results (in black and white photography), however at apertures larger than f5.6 it can lack contrast.
There are many filter options to increase the contrast of this lens. Pictured here are some scare early examples of 19mm Leitz filters which attach to the central ring of the lens which still enables manipulation of the tiny aperture ring. These filters are varying shades of yellow: code names FIRHE and FIXTA. These filters are ca 1933.
Another option is to adapt the elmar to accept modern multicoated filters. As the Elmar normally takes the special 19mm filters, or A-36 clamp on filters, the best way to attach modern filters is by way of the Leitz A-36 to E39 adaptor, codename SOOGZ.
The SOOGZ (pictured above) allows you to attach 39mm filters such as this B+W multicoated MRC filter.
Leica thread mount lens such as the ubiquitous Elmar can be mounted on modern Leica's such as the M mount MP and full frame digital M9 without any degradation in functionality. This is possibly by way of the Leica thread mount to M bayonet adaptor pictured here.
The two examples shown here will bring up the 50mm frame lines in cameras like the MP and M9, there are different adaptors available depending on which lens and frame line combination you desire. Note the different markings which were applied to the adaptors over the years.
An array of filter options for the Elmar 5cm lens. From left to right: 19mm FIXTA, A-36 clamp on, Stepped mount FILGE for number (2) or FILTU for the darker dense yellow number (3), SOOGZ adaptor with modern E39 filter.
All images below made with a Leica MP fitted with a Leitz 5cm (Red scale) lens via a LTM to M bayonet adaptor.
Government Building, Melbourne
Holden Monaro, GTS.
CBD Laneway, Melbourne.
Beechworth, Victoria.
Mayday Hills Hospital, Beechworth.
The images below are captured on a digital M9, the 50mm Elmar functions normally on the M9 via a bayonet adaptor, while it doesn't provide much contrast wide open, all of the images below were captured at f/5.6
