Leica Elmar 105mm f/6.3

Leica Elmar 105mm f/6.3

Often called the "Mountain Elmar" or "Berg Elmar," the Leica Elmar 105mm f/6.3 is the longest and slowest of the early screw-mount Elmars, built around a slender cone-shaped barrel rather than the usual cylindrical form [1][2]. A 1933 Leitz brochure described it as a small, light distance lens favoured by mountaineers, arguing that its modest aperture was sufficient because distant views generally had to be stopped down to f/6.3 anyway to cut through atmospheric haze. Some accounts connect its development to Oskar Barnack himself, who is said to have wanted something lightweight and long to carry on outings, though whether it was truly designed for mountaineering or simply acquired the nickname later is not settled. It was the only 105mm lens Leitz made for the screw-mount system, and despite its reputation it was never a strong seller[3].

The lens uses a four-element design and a 36mm filter thread reached through its dedicated push-on hood, since the front opening itself is unusually narrow. It is rangefinder coupled, and collectors have long discussed whether an uncoupled production version exists; the earliest recorded units are coupled, a museum prototype differs from production lenses, and no confirmed uncoupled example has been documented. In use on screw-mount Leicas, or on M-series bodies through an adapter, the slim barrel keeps the lens largely clear of the 90mm finder framelines, and its performance is optimised toward infinity, which fits its intended role as a distance lens. The minimum focusing distance is longer than most contemporaries; the scale stops short, though the lens focuses somewhat closer than the marked figure.

Early examples are finished in black and nickel, with production shifting to black and chrome after about 1933. Lenses scaled in feet are typically engraved "Germany" for export, while those scaled in meters are not. Other identification details recorded by collectors include a change in the lens cap from full internal velvet lining to a lining only on the inner rim around serial 162,xxx, and the appearance of an infrared focusing mark on later units. A small number of 105 Elmars carry an "a" after the serial number, reported as factory duplications of numbers also used on other lenses.

Optical qualities

Rendering Contemporary use of the lens reports surprisingly strong results for its age, with one reviewer noting fine detail rendered both near infinity and at close range, and pleasant color rendering on a modern digital body despite the lens being designed for black-and-white work. Because the design favours distant subjects, it performs at its best around its infinity setting. Reviewer experience also suggests a focus-shift quirk when using deep red filters, where images can come out soft unless focus is placed slightly forward of the subject. As surviving samples vary widely in condition, individual rendering depends heavily on the state of the glass.

History

Development and Launch By most accounts the lens reached the market in early 1932, appearing as a coupled lens in a March 1932 dealer bulletin, around the same period as the Leica Model D, while many Model C cameras lacking rangefinder coupling were still in circulation. It carried the Leitz code word ELZEN.

Production Evolution Production ran from 1932 to 1937, and total output was low, with collector records citing roughly 3,975 units. The most visible production change is the move from the early black-and-nickel finish to black-and-chrome after about 1933, alongside the smaller running changes to caps, engravings, and the addition of an infrared index on later lenses.

Collector Notes The Mountain Elmar is a sought-after item among Leitz collectors, and its rarity and distinctive cone shape make originality the key concern. Repainted and refinished examples exist; an all-chrome cone, for instance, is generally regarded as a later modification rather than a factory finish. The dedicated hood and matching A36 cap are difficult to find separately, and because A36 filters mount over the front of the hood, a missing hood effectively prevents using filters. Internal haze is commonly noted on surviving lenses, so glass condition is worth checking before purchase. Buyers may also wish to verify serial-number engravings against the early batches and watch for the unusual "a" suffix on some units.