Early wide-angle LEITZ ELMAR 3.5cm F3.5
A review and sample photos using the LEITZ ELMAR L39 3.5cm with the LEICA M9.
Table of contents
Gallery
- The sample photo were taken with the LEICA M9
Review
1．Overview
The Elmar 35mm was Leica’s first lens with a focal length of 35mm, released in 1930, the same year as the Hektor 50mm.
Its main specifications are a lens configuration of four elements in three groups, with the third and fourth elements being a Tessar type cemented together, a minimum shooting distance of 1m following the Barnack Leica, six aperture blades, and a compact barrel with a length of 14mm from the mount surface to the front of the lens.
2．Usage
It’s a compact and cute lens, and although it doesn’t have the legend of the Summicron, it’s a lens that takes good pictures.
I used this lens with a LEICA M9. It was probably a slightly cloudy lens, so depending on the lighting conditions, the contrast could be reduced. A proper triplet lens would have produced a much sharper image, so I assume there was a problem with the lens.
I was able to focus on the desired position without any problems using the LEICA M9’s two-image matching. The maximum aperture is F-number 3.5, so with a normally adjusted lens, there should be no problems. If there is a problem with the set focus position and the shooting results, there is likely an abnormality in the rangefinder linkage part of the lens.
When used with a normal rangefinder camera, the minimum shooting distance is 1m, which limits the range of expression. In the 2020s, if you attach an auxiliary helicoid to a mirrorless camera, you can take close-up shots and expand the range of expression.
If you shoot in Raw, you can increase the contrast a little to eliminate the sleepiness of the image caused by the reduction in contrast.
I don’t have any data left from shooting in harsh conditions such as backlighting. I regret not shooting with this kind of lens on a film camera.
This lens has been in production for a long time, so there are many variations.
The one I owned was a standard Elmar 3.5cm, with a chrome exterior, feet display, a focus ring that rotates 180 degrees, and an infinity stopper, so it’s not particularly rare.
In the 2010s, nickel-exterior Elmars could also be purchased at a slight premium. However, in the 2020s, nickel-exterior Elmars are sold at a premium price due to the small number of units produced.
3．Summary
In conclusion, to sum up the ELMAR 3.5cm, it is a compact wide-angle lens. If it is in good condition, you can get clear triplet-type images. Since it is an old lens, many of the lenses are in poor condition, so you need to check the condition carefully before purchasing.
If you enjoy taking strange photos in extreme conditions such as backlit conditions with sunlight, the condition of the lens doesn’t matter.
Specification and Competitor
The Elmar was the first Leica 35mm wide-angle lens to use a Tessar type lens. Its successor, the Summaron, used a Gauss type lens. The aspherical Summicron 35mm was changed to a retrofocus type lens.
- The lens construction diagrams are quoted from each company’s materials, and the sizes have been adjusted by us, so they are not exact.
| Items | ELMAR | SUMMARON |
| Focal length(mm) | 35 | 35 |
| Max aperture | 3.5 | 2.8 |
| Min aperture | 18 | 22 |
| Leaf blade | 6 | – |
| Lens Construction | 4elements in 3groups | 6elements in 4groups |
| Min distance(m) | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Lens length(mm) | 14 | 29.4 |
| Max diameter(mm) | 49 | 51 |
| Filter Size | 19mm A36 | E39 |
| Hood | FIKUS FLQOO | IROOA |
| Mount | L39 screw | L39 screw |
| Weight(g) | 130 | 135 |
| Release date | 1930 | 1938 |
Reference links
- Leica Wiki ELMAR 35mm F3.5
- Classic Camera Selection Book 19 How to Identify Leica Lenses (Asahi Sonorama)
- It describes the specifications and the differences between the specifications, and there is no mention of lens description.
- A lens configuration diagram is included in the appendix.
- Leica Lenses of the World Part 1 (Shashin Kogyosha)
- Elmar has a review by Tatsuya Kai on P52
Update history
- 2025.5.9
- 2024.04.27
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