Leica Elmar Nickel 50mm f/3.5

Leica Elmar 50mm f/3.5 Nickel

The Leica Elmar 50mm f/3.5 Nickel is an early collapsible standard lens produced for Leica screw-mount cameras during the transition from fixed-lens Leica I cameras to standardized interchangeable L39 lenses. The optical design was developed by Max Berek and uses four elements arranged in three groups [1] [2].

The fixed 50mm f/3.5 Elmar had appeared on the Leica I during the 1920s. Leica introduced the interchangeable screw-mount version in 1930, initially during a period when lenses could still be individually matched to particular camera bodies. Standardized Leica thread mount and rangefinder-coupled examples followed as Leica developed the Leica C and Leica II systems [1] [3].

This entry covers nickel-finished collapsible 50mm f/3.5 Elmar lenses in Leica L39 / LTM / M39 screw mount. It includes the principal early focusing-lock variations, such as pin release, square release and later domed or bell-shaped release controls. These mechanical details are collector-relevant variants of the same basic lens and do not require separate optical entries.

The photographed listing with serial number 43089 is identified as the rare square-release variant. Leica Camera Classic describes this release form as a short-lived transition between the earlier pin release and the more familiar domed release [4]. It should be linked to this entry without a Special Edition label.

This lens must remain separate from the Elmar 35mm f/3.5 Nickel, which is a different wide-angle lens, and from the later 50mm f/3.5 Elmar produced in M mount under model number 11110.

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Optical qualities

Rendering

The Elmar 50mm f/3.5 produces the classic rendering associated with early Leica photography. At full aperture, the centre can provide useful detail while the outer image is gentler and lower in contrast. Leica notes that stopping down by one or two stops significantly improves the outer zones [1].

The uncoated optics of early nickel examples give the lens a softer tonal response than later coated Elmar versions. Images can show long highlight transitions, restrained contrast and a distinctly vintage appearance.

Sharpness

Central sharpness is generally good for a compact lens of its period, particularly when the optical surfaces are clean and the lens is correctly focused. Definition becomes more even across the frame at medium apertures.

Performance can vary considerably between surviving examples. Haze, cleaning marks, element separation, internal contamination and previous mechanical work can have a greater effect than nominal production differences.

Contrast and color

Early nickel Elmars were normally uncoated. Contrast is therefore lower than on later postwar coated examples, especially when strong light falls directly on the front element.

The dedicated FISON hood or another suitable A36 hood can substantially reduce veiling flare. A hood is particularly useful on digital sensors, which may make flare and internal reflections more visible.

Bokeh and transitions

With a maximum aperture of f/3.5, the Elmar is not designed primarily for shallow depth of field. At closer distances, however, it can still provide gentle separation between the focused subject and background.

The ten-blade diaphragm maintains a relatively rounded aperture shape when stopped down. Out-of-focus rendering is generally calm, although bright point sources may reveal stronger outlining depending on distance and aperture.

Distortion and vignetting

The four-element, three-group design provides a natural standard-lens perspective with limited geometric distortion. Some corner darkening and reduced peripheral definition can be visible at f/3.5.

Stopping down improves illumination and edge performance. Exact behaviour depends on the particular optical unit and its condition.

Handling

The lens collapses into the camera body for transport. It must be fully extended and locked before taking photographs. Care is required on digital cameras and adapted bodies because the rear tube projects into the camera when collapsed.

Focusing extends from approximately one metre to infinity. The focusing lock secures the lens at infinity and also provides a convenient control for turning the focusing mount.

Early nickel lenses may have the lock positioned at approximately 11 o’clock, while later examples moved it toward the 7 o’clock position. Pin, square and domed release mechanisms appeared during this period of rapid mechanical development [1] [3] [4].

Filters and hoods use the A36 clamp-on fitting. Small screw-in filters may also be encountered around the front optical cell, but A36 is the appropriate database specification for the standard external accessory fitting.

Digital use

Standardized rangefinder-coupled examples can be used directly on Leica screw-mount cameras and on Leica M bodies with a suitable L39-to-M adapter.

The lens has no six-bit coding. Before collapsing it on a digital or adapted camera, rear-element clearance must be checked carefully. Leaving the lens extended is the safest practice when compatibility is uncertain.

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History

Development and Launch

The 50mm f/3.5 Elmar developed from Max Berek’s early optical work for the Leica camera. The fixed version replaced the earlier Anastigmat and Elmax lenses on the Leica I during the 1920s [1].

The interchangeable screw-mount Elmar appeared in 1930. This coincided with Leica’s transition from fixed-lens cameras toward the Leica C, standardized screw mount and eventually the rangefinder-coupled Leica II [1] [3].

Production Evolution

The years from 1930 through 1932 were particularly complex. Some early lenses were produced for non-standardized cameras and individually matched to their bodies. Others were later returned to Leitz and converted to standardized or rangefinder-coupled mounts [3].

Nickel-finished examples were gradually replaced by chrome production during the early 1930s. Both finishes can appear around the transitional period, so finish alone should not be used to assign a precise year.

The infinity-lock mechanism changed several times. Documented forms include:

• Early pin release
• Short-lived square release
• Domed or bell-shaped release
• Lock positioned at approximately 11 o’clock
• Later lock positioned at approximately 7 o’clock

Leica notes that the lock position was moved for improved convenience in 1932 [1].

Special Editions/Variants

The square-release lens is not a commemorative Special Edition. It is a rare normal-production mechanical variant.

Other collector-relevant variations include:

• Nickel and chrome finishes
• Metric and feet distance scales
• Standardized and non-standardized screw mounts
• Rangefinder-coupled and originally uncoupled examples
• Lenses converted from fixed Leica I optical units
• Pin, square and domed focusing-lock releases
• 11 o’clock and 7 o’clock lock positions
• Lenses with and without visible serial numbers

Collector Notes

Collectors should verify the focal-length engraving carefully. A 50mm or 5cm Elmar must not be confused with the physically smaller Elmar 35mm f/3.5.

Important identification points include the front-ring engraving, serial number, nickel finish, focusing-lock shape, focusing-lock position, distance scale and the presence of a standardized rangefinder cam.

Very early lenses without conventional serial numbers may be genuine transitional examples rather than incomplete or counterfeit lenses. Leica Society International documents nickel 50mm Elmars remounted from fixed Leica I cameras during the 1930 to 1932 transition [3].

Condition checks should include haze, fungus, cleaning marks, separation, aperture operation, smooth extension of the collapsible tube, focusing stiffness and wear to the locking mechanism.

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Special editions

No confirmed factory commemorative Special Edition is documented.

Collector-relevant variants include:

• Nickel Elmar 50mm f/3.5 with pin release
• Nickel Elmar 50mm f/3.5 with square release
• Nickel Elmar 50mm f/3.5 with domed release
• Early 11 o’clock focusing-lock examples
• Later 7 o’clock focusing-lock examples
• Metric and feet-scale versions
• Standardized LTM examples
• Individually matched or later-converted examples
• Examples without conventional external serial numbers
• Chrome Elmar 50mm f/3.5, later finish variant
• Elmar 50mm f/3.5 Red Scale, later production version
• Elmar 5cm f/3.5 model 11110, later M-mount lens and separate entry
• Elmar 35mm f/3.5 Nickel, separate focal length and separate entry

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Sources

• [1] Leica Camera AG. The 50 mm Elmar, An Enduring Classic Leica Lens. https://leica-camera.com/en-int/blog/photography/carl-merkin-50mm-elmar
• [2] Leica Society International. Rare Earth Glass Leica Lenses: A Quick and Quirky Overview. https://leicasocietyinternational.org/blog/2018/09/rare-earth-glass-leica-lenses-a-quick-and-quirky-overview
• [3] Leica Society International. Leica Lenses Without Serial Numbers. https://leicasocietyinternational.org/blog/2021/02/leica-lenses-without-serial-numbers
• [4] Leica Camera Classic. Leica Elmar nickel 3.5/50mm “square release”. https://classic.leica-camera.com/en/Leica-Elmar-nickel-3-5-50mm-square-release/33221-24
• [5] Leica Wiki. Elmar (I) f=5cm 1:3.5. https://wiki.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/Elmar_%28I%29_f%3D_5_cm_1%3A3.5
• [6] Leitz Photographica Auction. Elmar 3.5/50mm, various. https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Elmar-3.5-50mm-various/AI-16-19723
• [7] Flashback Camera. Elmar 50mm f/3.5 L Early. https://flashbackcamera.jp/en/products/021505-leica-elmar-50mm-f35-l-early