Finally got to the Tetons last week and made a point to use several alt lenses that I took along (Oly 21, Oly 24, Leica 35) in addition to my standard Canon AF zooms. These two pics were taken with the Leica, and the lens is everything that I hoped it would be. Very sharp, excellent edge to edge, etc. Had to toss a few out, however...I didn't have my 49mm WA adapter for the Lee grad holder, so had to hand hold the filters...managed to get some good shots of my fingertips in the process. Still have a lot more pics to get through. Thanks to Paul (pdmphoto) for selling me this fine lens.

Golden aspens and sagebrush (very windy day):

beautiful.

great stuff Mike. The 35 elmarit has a permanent place in my landscape kit for all the reasons that you have discovered

Nice images, congrats Mike. I highly recommend the 35mm Elmarit-R (especially the older 2nd version) for anyone looking for a super well built, corner to corner sharp 35mm prime with great color.

Gorgeous!

I want one.

(Just when I thought I had my kit all figured out.)

BTW, since there are at least 56 different 35/2.8 Leicas, can you tell me precisely which lens this is?

(If I understood all the bloody versioning stuff with Leicas, I might actually own one).

some info that may help

http://photo.net/leica-rangefinders-forum/00JcuR

cogitech wrote:
BTW, since there are at least 56 different 35/2.8 Leicas, can you tell me precisely which lens this is?

(If I understood all the bloody versioning stuff with Leicas, I might actually own one).

Hi Paul:

My lens is the Elmarit-R, 2nd version. Apparently, this version is optically identical to the newer third version, which has a built-in hood and sports a standard (55 mm) filter thread. The third version is about 100g lighter than the 2nd, which I would interpret to mean that it also has more plastic (maybe) incorporated into the design. The 2nd version has a 48mm filter thread, which needs to be bumped up to 49mm with an adapter ring. Even so, with the adapter ring and a slim B+W CPL, I don't get any vignetting. The serial number is the key in making sure that you don't get a 1st version of this lens (lower contrast, prone to flare).

Here's a link for more information:

Leica Lens Info

I appreciate the help, Mike, but I honestly cannot figure it out. 2nd version meaning 2 CAM

I wouldn't know a 2nd version from a 3 CAM if they slapped me in the face.

Then there's ROM and E55 and my brain just explodes.

I guess I'll take a stab with the serial number method and hope to get lucky.

Hi Paul:
As Mike said the second and third are the same optic seven in six the third is ligther
and has the build in hood some third versions have the number 11231 these are for Leica SL the R has the number 11251. You can ignore the Rom that is just a basic flash info. Bodies on both are aluminium alloy not plastic.
A fine lens even if the design is 1979.
Mike I just love those shots the second will surely be framed.
Cheers Manfred

Nice photos Mike. That`s nearly as good as my CY 35-70 @ 35

Dave

cogitech wrote:
I appreciate the help, Mike, but I honestly cannot figure it out. 2nd version meaning 2 CAM

I wouldn't know a 2nd version from a 3 CAM if they slapped me in the face.

Then there's ROM and E55 and my brain just explodes.

I guess I'll take a stab with the serial number method and hope to get lucky.

The basic idea is to avoid version 1. Version 1 uses Series VI filters. If you're using the lens on a Canon the cams and ROM mean absolutely nothing. The ones you want use either Series VII filters (a.k.a. 48mm) or E55 (55mm) filters.

Second version, 2 or 3-cam doesn't matter if you are going to use an adapter for another camera. The third version comes in 3-cam and maybe some ROM versions out there. If you are using an adapter I don't think you should bother spending any extra for a ROM version. In fact, my experience owning a second version, and trying out a third version, is the second is a better lens. Higher build quality (as evidenced by the extra weight but smaller filter size, with no hood), and my copy was optically excellent

cogitech wrote:
I guess I'll take a stab with the serial number method and hope to get lucky.
The serial number (and filter size) method is dead accurate. The only annoyance is when places like KEH don't photograph the lens showing the serial number and you have to call them up.

I've owned a couple in the past. The one you want is the one with the built in sliding out lens shade. If the front of the lens is narrow and does not have a sliding out lens shade avoid it, it's the mediocre 1st version. 2nd and 3rd version are optically identical. The Elmarit is about equal in performance to the Nikon 35mm f2 and I found both the Elmarit and Nikon to be better than the Distagon or Flek in my experience.

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I do understand at least enough to get "a good one" now.

I'll close with this shot of a sunset at Oxbow Bend, also taken with the Canon 5D and Leica Elmarit-R 35mm. Man, I just love what this lens can do...

Mike, what aperture you shot at?
I have the E55 version and I noticed it is less center sharp than my late 35mm Summicron at wide open. Stop down to F4 and F5.6 does look very good.
The Elmarit 35mm has almost no geometric distortion and very slight vignette at wide open. Just not as crisp sharp as the latest version.

s23chang wrote:
Mike, what aperture you shot at?
I have the E55 version and I noticed it is less center sharp than my late 35mm Summicron at wide open. Stop down to F4 and F5.6 does look very good.
The Elmarit 35mm has almost no geometric distortion and very slight vignette at wide open. Just not as crisp sharp as the latest version.

These three shots were taken at f/11.

The 2nd version uses the rectangular bayonet mount lens hood; that's been the easiest way for me to tell from the first version. First version uses a round clip-on hood.

So, is this the lens?

David Llado wrote:
So, is this the lens?

KEH has a couple of the lens shades for this one [it's part # 12509]

This site has a lot of info you need to determine what Type and what version etc... mostly based on the serial number.
http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/b.htm

Here is the latest version with built in hood and 55mm filter size