Leica Elmar 10.5cm f/6.3

Leitz Elmar 10.5cm f/6.3 LTM

The Leitz Elmar 10.5cm f/6.3 LTM is a compact long-focus Leica screw-mount lens introduced in 1932 and widely known as the Mountain Elmar, Berg-Elmar, or Alpine Elmar [1]. It was designed as a lightweight 105mm lens for photographers who wanted more reach without carrying the larger and heavier long lenses of the early Leica system. Leica Wiki lists the lens as a Leica screw-thread lens with a 4-element, 3-group optical formula, A36 filter fitting, 24-degree angle of view, 2.6 m closest focusing distance, and production from 1932 to 1937 [1].

The lens uses a Tessar-type Elmar optical construction and was adapted from a longer-format Leitz optical design to the 35mm Leica system [3]. Its narrow conical barrel, slow f/6.3 maximum aperture, and light construction made it especially suitable for travel, hiking, mountain photography, and distant landscape work. Leica Society International lists the lens at 208 g, while a modern user measurement on 35mmc also reports 208 g without caps or adapters and a length of about 85 mm from the mount [2][4]. The A36 filter system is used through the dedicated hood, making the original hood and cap important accessories for collectors [4].

For LeicaLensList, this entry should be kept separate from the Elmar 9cm f/4, Elmar 13.5cm f/4.5, Hektor 13.5cm f/4.5, and later Elmar 135mm lenses. The Mountain Elmar is collector-relevant because of its low production, unusual 10.5cm focal length, compact form, early Leica screw-mount history, and distinct black/nickel or black/chrome finish variants [1][2]. Its optical performance is strongest when stopped down and used at longer distances, while flare, haze, coating absence, and focus calibration should be checked carefully on any surviving copy.

History

Development and Launch

The Elmar 10.5cm f/6.3 appeared in 1932 during the rapid expansion of the Leica interchangeable-lens system [1]. Marco Cavina notes that the lens was derived from a Leitz 10.5cm optical design originally associated with larger-format cameras, then adapted into a narrow Leica screw-mount focusing barrel with rangefinder coupling [3]. The compact and lightweight design was aimed at photographers who needed a longer lens for travel and mountain use, rather than a faster but larger telephoto lens.

Production Evolution

Leica Wiki lists production from 1932 to 1937, with 3,975 lenses recorded, while Leica Society International notes that this production figure conflicts with a higher total assigned serial-number count of 4,606 or more [1][2]. Early versions were produced in black and nickel, while chrome-finished parts appeared from 1933 [3]. Cavina describes ELZEN for the early black/nickel type, ELZENKUP for the rangefinder-coupled black/nickel version, and ELZENCHROM for the black/chrome version [3]. By the mid-1930s, the chrome version became the standard catalogue form before the lens disappeared from the range in 1937.

Special Variants

The main documented variants are all black, black/nickel, black/chrome, metric-scale, and feet-scale examples [1][2]. Leitz Auction records a black/nickel Berg-Elmar from 1932, serial number 128678, delivered to Berlin on 12 August 1932 with original caps and hood [5]. Cavina also notes that an early 1932 brochure listed both an uncoupled ELZEN and a coupled ELZENKUP version, although currently known surviving examples appear to be rangefinder coupled [3].

Collector Notes

Collectors should verify the exact finish, distance scale, serial number, ELZEN or ELZENCHROM identity, rangefinder coupling, original A36 hood, hood cap, rear cap, and whether the lens has metric or feet markings. The dedicated hood is especially important because A36 filters are used through the hood rather than directly on a conventional front thread [4]. Condition checks should include haze, uncoated glass condition, cleaning marks, internal reflections, paint loss, brass wear, focusing accuracy, aperture function, and signs of mixed or replaced parts. Because the lens was made in low numbers and has several early finish and catalogue-code variations, originality has a strong effect on collector value.

Sources

• [1] Leica Wiki. Elmar f= 10.5 cm 1:6.3. https://wiki.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/Elmar_f%3D_10.5_cm_1%3A6.3
• [2] Leica Society International. High- and Low-production Leica Lenses: Timeless Vintage Classics. https://leicasocietyinternational.org/blog/high-low-lenses
• [3] Marco Cavina, NOC Sensei. Leitz Elmar 10,5cm 1:6,3. https://www.nocsensei.com/camera/tecnica/marco-cavina/marcocavina/leitz-elmar-105cm-163/
• [4] 35mmc. Leitz Elmar 10.5cm f/6.3, The Berg, Pt 3. https://www.35mmc.com/07/04/2022/leitz-elmar-10-5cm-f-6-3-the-berg-pt-3-by-agata-urbaniak/
• [5] Leitz Auction. Elmar 6.3/10.5cm Mountain-Elmar ELZEN black/nickel. https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Elmar-6.3-10.5cm-Mountain-Elmar-ELZEN-black-nickel/A00655