90MM SCREW MOUNT LENSES

9cm f/4 Elmar

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The 9cm f/4 Elmar lens, code-named ELANG, was introduced in 1931³⁶⁰. This lens features a four-glass construction with a double rear element³⁶⁰. It was likely originally designed by Max Berek and later developed by Wilhelm Albert in 1931 and 1932³⁶⁰. The first project involved an uncoupled version, while the second focused on a coupled version³⁶⁰.

By 1964, the 9cm Elmar had exceeded an output of over 100,000 units in the screw-mount version alone, making it the second most produced lens, after the renowned 50mm (5cm) f/3.5 Elmar³⁶⁰. The bayonet-mount version also surpassed production figures of 50,000³⁶⁰. Its convenient focal length, f/4 maximum aperture, compact size, and relatively low price were the primary factors contributing to the 9cm Elmar's popularity as an accessory lens, and it continues to be highly valued by Leica enthusiasts³⁶⁰.

Throughout its long history, the screw-mount 9cm Elmar underwent several changes in the mount design, although only two modifications were made to its optical specifications³⁶⁰. Starting from lens number 592,451, the lenses were coated, and from number 116,050, the front element of the lens became flatter³⁶⁰. The last version of the screw-mount 9cm Elmar (variant no. 15, known as the 'parallel-sided' version) features only three elements instead of four³⁶⁰. This reduction was likely made possible due to the availability of new rare earth glasses³⁶⁰. The following list of the various variants of the 9cm Elmar may not be exhaustive³⁶⁰:

Variant 1

This variant is also known as 9cm f/6.3 Elmar³⁶⁰. The pyramid-shaped lens was introduced in 1930 in an uncoupled, unnumbered mount, and only a few experimental specimens were produced³⁶⁰. The design of this lens, along with its aperture, laid the foundation for the 10.5cm f/6.3 Elmar lens introduced in 1932³⁶⁰.

Variant 2

This variant, often referred to as the "fat Elmar"³⁰, was introduced in 1931¹⁰. This lens for originally intended to be used with the Leica I Model C and was initially uncoupled but was later adapted for use with rangefinder cameras. This variant is larger and heavier than subsequent models³⁰. The lens weights 314 grams and has a length of 72mm³⁰. Diameter of the focusing mount is 58 mm and the standard front diamater is 36mm, which is common in all later models up to E39³⁰.

Additionally, the large base of the removable lens head, measuring 42 mm in diameter, restricts its compatibility with various accessories and adapters designed for later versions. The lens is finished in black enamel with a nickel distance scale ring and a nickel flange ring at the base³⁰.

There are 4 types of Variant 2 ("fat Elmar"):

Type 1 comes with a rotating, uncoupled but standardized mount; with no depth- of-field scale and with 36mm filter mount³⁶⁰. This 'extra' fat 9cm f4 Elmar is recognizable by its diamond-knurled focusing ring³⁶⁰. The finish is black and nickel³⁶⁰.

Image is taken from page 219³⁶⁰.

Type 2 comes in a fat tube-type mount, yet it is slightly thinner than that of Type 1. This type comes with with line-knurled focusing mount and a depth-of-field scale. It is uncoupled and unnumbered, but standardized. The finish is black and nickel³⁶⁰.

Image is taken from page 219³⁶⁰.

Type 3 is the similar to Type 2 but it's coupled. The finish is black and nickel³⁶⁰.

Type 4 is the similar to Type 3 but it's coupled and numbered. The finish is black and nickel³⁶⁰.

Image is taken from page 219³⁶⁰.

Variant 3

This variant is a transitional between Variant 2 and Variant 4³⁶⁰. It features a redesigned lens mount which is now thin and tapered³⁶⁰. The lens is coupled, numbered, and finished in black and nickel. Only a few are known to exist³⁶⁰. A report from March 30, 1931 suggests that Wilhelm Albert was responsible for the development of this slim/thin (however uncoupled!) version in 1931³⁶⁴. The coupled slim version was developed in 1932 by Wilhelm Albert according to the report from March 7, 1932³⁶⁴.

Image is taken from page 221³⁶⁰.

Variant 4

This variant was introduced in late 1932 or early 1933³⁰. The earlier version of this variant had a black-nickel finish, code-named ELANGKUP, while the later version had a black chrome finish, code-named ELANGCHROM³⁰.

The lens weighs 268 grams and has a length of 73 mm. The diameter of the focusing mount is 43 mm, and the base of the lens is 33 mm in diameter, allowing for the attachment of standard accessories and adapters for close-up work³⁰.

The variant is very similar to Variant 3, except for the base is not tapered³⁶⁰. This variant set the pattern for all the variants which followed³⁶⁰.

This variant is coupled and numbered³⁶⁰.

Variant 5

This variant came in thin mount, was coupled and numbered, and finished in black and nickel³⁶⁰.

Variant 6

This variant is similar to Variant 5, but with depth-of-field scale incorporating an infra-red markings³⁶⁰. The variant came with a black and nickel finish³⁶⁰.

Image is taken from page 221³⁶⁰.

Variant 7

This variant is the same as Variant 6, but with a sloping front bezel³⁶⁰. The lens sometimes has white engravings³⁶⁰.

Introduced in late 1930s³⁰, this lens was coated starting serial number 592451 from February 2, 1946¹⁹. The distance scale ring features a matte chrome finish, but the base maintains a smooth chrome finish³⁰.

In 1946, there was a slight variation in the finish, transitioning from the usual glossy black to a matte black. However, Leitz later resumed the glossy black finish until the introduction of the all-matte chrome version in 1949³⁰.

Uncoated lenses weigh 237 grams and are 73mm long³⁰.

Coated lenses weigh 264 grams and are 73mm long³⁰.

Variant 8

Variant 8 is a prototype of bayonet mount 9cm f/4 collapsible Elmar lens (ILNOO)³⁶⁰. The prototypes have screwmount mount and feature all-chrome finish³⁶⁰. A report from October 30, 1939, indicates that Wilhelm Albert developed a collapsible Elmar lens in 1939³⁶⁴. The author of this website believes that the report refers to Variant 8 of the lens.

Just before or after the Second World War, Leitz experimented with developing a collapsible mount for their 9cm f/4 Elmar lens⁹⁹. These prototypes naturally led to the introduction of the 9cm f/4 bayonet mount lens (ILNOO), which was designed for use with the Leica M3 in 1955⁹⁹. In the factory museum in Wetzlar, there are two examples of the 9cm f/4 Collapsible Prototype lens, as shown in Figures 1 and 2⁹⁹ below.

The lens on the left is likely a postwar development, featuring f-stops ranging from 4 to 32⁹⁹. It has a parallel-type focusing mount measured in meters and a notched front ring that allows the user to set the selected f-stop⁹⁹. There is a report from June 19, 1945 confirming that Wilhelm Albert developed a 9cm f/4 Elmar lens with a retractable mount, grid and rear aperture reading with an ever-ready case³⁶⁴. The photographs the  author of this website saw made him believe that that the report refers to the lens pictured on the left.

The lens on the right in Figure 1 is probably of pre-war origin; it also has parallel focusing in meters but uses the older continental f-stop designations ranging from f/4 to f/36⁹⁹. Its front configuration is quite similar to that of the late-style 5cm f/2 Summar⁹⁹. Both lenses are uncoated and work well with the Leica rangefinder, focusing from 1 meter to infinity⁹⁹.

Figure 2 presents a front view of the lenses⁹⁹. Notably, neither lens has a serial number designation⁹⁹. The postwar lens includes an infinity lock, similar to those found on the 35mm and 50mm lenses⁹⁹.

                     

Both 2 examples of this prototype are in private collections³⁶⁰. 

Another copy of the extremely rare prototype Elmar in collapsible M39 screw-mount (serial number 633014) was sold at the 21st Leitz Photographica Auction in May of 2012 for 66000 Euros including buyer's premium. The lens came from Paul-Henry van Hasbroeck collection:

Paul-Henry Van Hasbroek believed that there was one specimen (no. 633,008) of a version in all-black finish (of which only ten were produced (nos 633,001-633,010)) which was interesting in that the aperture setting could be seen when one looked through the viewfinder³⁶⁰.

Variant 9

The lens was introduced by Ernst Leitz, New York, during World War II. It is also known as the “Leitz-Wollensak Coated 9cm f/4.5 Elmar”. The optical components and removable lens head were manufactured by Wollensak, while the barrel and focusing mount were produced by Ernst Leitz, New York³⁰.

The lens weighs 283 grams and has a length of 76 mm. It features a glossy black finish combined with smooth chrome accents. The diaphragm scale, with settings at f/4.5, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22, and 32, is engraved on the actuating ring³⁰.

It was similar both mechanically and optically to the 9cm f/4 Elmar (version 3). It offered the same performance, angle of view, and magnification, and was specially coated to enhance transmission while reducing flare and scatter³⁵⁸.

Ernst Leitz, New York also supplied an adapter ring, code-named "COONY", for using the lens head with their Adjustable Micrometer Extension Tube, code-named "COOMI", for close-up photography³⁰.

Variant 10

Variant 10 is similar to Variant 7, apart from it's all-chrome finish³⁶⁰. One specimen, likely a prototype, is not fully chrome-finished; the area just above the focusing mount is made of nickel³⁶⁰. Its serial number (221043) dates the lens to 1933-34, which is at least two years before Leitz generally introduced chrome finishes³⁶⁰.

Variant 11

This variant was announced in summer of 1949³⁰. It has a matte chrome finish³⁰. It continued all features of Variant 7 introduced in the late 1930s³⁰. The lens weighs 284 grams³⁰ and has a length of 72mm³⁰.

Variant 12

Variant 15

The lens was announced in 1964 and was catalogued until 1968. It features a complete redesign. The lens weighs 188 grams and is sometimes referred to as "the parallel 90."³⁰. It is a three-element lens with E39 filter mount^{360 .}

The f-stop scale is engraved on the diaphragm actuating ring, while the distance scale is indicated in both feet and meters. According to Leitz literature, "the use of recently developed optical glasses and a new triplet design make the 9cm Elmar better than ever."³⁰

9cm f/2.2 Thambar 

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The Leica 9cm f/2.2 Thambar lens was designed under the leadership of Max Berek⁶³, developed in 1934 (sometime before May 30, 1934) by Wilhelm Albert ³⁶⁴ and manufactured by Leitz between the years 1935 and 1939⁶³. Its code name was "TOODY," and the list price in 1939 was 117.00 USD⁶³. The exact number of units manufactured is uncertain; however, Leitz has stated in correspondence that "we manufactured approximately 3000 units of this lens"⁶³.

The name of the Leica 9cm f/2.2 Thambar carries a unique charm, often associated with cherished possessions¹⁶². Although not definitively proven, it is commonly believed to originate from classical Greek and translates to "something that amazes."¹⁶² This lens is one of the many imaginative creations of Dr. Max Berek, devised to address critics who claimed that Leitz lenses were unsuitable for portrait photography due to their pronounced sharpness and high contrast¹⁶². The Leica 9cm f/2.2 Thambar was introduced to cater to the preferences of portrait artists of the 1930s²²⁸. This lens is considered one of the true cult lenses among Leica enthusiasts—it's legendary, provoking strong feelings of either love or hate³¹⁵. This lens is highly sought after by many Leica collectors³¹⁵.

Center Spot Front Filter / Spot Filter / Disc

Leica 9cm f/2.2 Thambar comes with a 48mm removable screw-in mirror disc, referred to as the "spot," "center spot front filter", "spot filter"¹⁶². This spot filter is made of optically flat clear glass with a 0.5-inch diameter silvered center, prevents all central (axial) rays from entering the lens while allowing the peripheral rays to pass freely¹⁶². As a result, only the marginal rays at the edges, where spherical overcorrection is most pronounced, contribute to the image¹⁶². The aperture stop effectively controls these peripheral rays, producing the lens's characteristic luminous effect and halo¹⁶². The amount of spherical aberration of the lens is controlled by the spot filter and by the setting of the iris diaphragm⁶². The spot filter functions as a central stop rather than a true diffusion disc⁶³.

The lens can be used wide open with or without the spot filter; however, it should not be used without the spot filter at apertures below f/2.2 down to f/6.3⁶³. Using the lens without the spot filter at these apertures can result in an irregular softness across the image field⁶³. Consequently, the spot filter is a crucial component of the lens⁶³.

With the spot filter, the degree of diffusion is controllable and influenced by various factors¹⁶². The diffusion is uniform across the entire negative, softening the definition and gradation at suggested apertures of f/2.2 to f/3.2¹⁶². A less pronounced soft effect can occur without the spot at aperture settings between f/3.2 and f/4.5¹⁶². The distance from the camera to the subject also significantly impacts the lens's soft-focus performance, and experience is the best guide for predicting outcomes¹⁶². A light-colored background is preferred because it enhances the spread of light from brighter to darker areas, leading to the desired luminous effect and softening the subject while retaining detail¹⁶².

Aperture and Aperture Scale Variations

Leica 9cm f/2.2 Thambar aperture scales came in 3 variations⁶³. Earlier models typically featured a skeletonized scale positioned only once on the barrel⁶³. In later versions, the scale was repeated in two locations around the barrel and included a more complete red scale⁶³. A third version shows further modifications in the scale⁶³. The distance scale on the barrel is marked in both feet and meters⁶³. The most common variation of the Leica 9cm f/2.2 Thambar features a red scale with f-stops of 2.3, 2.5, 2.8, 3.5, and 4.5¹⁶². Leitz reportedly modified this red scale over time as users gained more experience with the Leica 9cm f/2.2 Thambar¹⁶². 

Achieving satisfactory results with this lens requires practice, as the soft focus effect serves as a tool rather than an end in itself¹⁶². It creates two distinct images: one very sharp from the axial rays (at f/9 and below) and another soft one from the peripheral rays (at f/4.5 and above)¹⁶². Without the spot filter, the lens performs as sharp and crisp as any typical 9cm lens at apertures from f/6.3 to f/25¹⁶². Even with the spot filter in place and the lens stopped down below f/9, the spot filter will be captured on film¹⁶². All in all, the Leica 9cm f/2.2 Thambar is effectively an anastigmat from f/9 and smaller stops⁶².

There are several important considerations when using the Leica 9cm f/2.2 Thambar lens⁶³. One key requirement is ample light; Sufficient illumination is crucial for satisfactory results⁶³. When used under proper lighting, prints will have a sparkling quality reminiscent of sunshine. In contrast, dull lighting can lead to disappointing outcomes⁶³.

Construction and Coating

The construction of the Leica 9cm f/2.2 Thambar features a four-element, three-group anastigmat design, including a central cemented pair that resembles a simplified version of the 13.5cm f/4 Hektor lens of 1933¹⁶². It is nearly identical to the 125mm f/2.5 Hektor lens for Visoflex introduced in 1949¹⁶². The aperture is located behind the cemented pair, and the rangefinder-coupled mount focuses down to 1 meter¹⁶².

While no Leica 9cm f/2.2 Thambar lenses were originally factory-coated, Leitz of New York coated more than 100 Leica 9cm f/2.2 Thambar in the late 1940s and early 1950s⁶³. One other source hints that some later production lenses are said to have been coated at the factory, although firsthand accounts of such lenses are rare¹⁶². Application of these coatings could enhance contrast but would negate the lens's intended soft focus function¹⁶².

The unique effect of the Leica 9cm f/2.2 Thambar lens is achieved by intentionally not fully correcting spherical aberration⁶³. For many years, the common practice was to leave chromatic aberration uncorrected⁶³. However, with the introduction of panchromatic film, the results became less predictable, leading to the decision to utilize spherical aberration⁶³.

Accessories

Accessories for Leica 9cm f/2.2 Thambar include¹⁶²:

• Leather Case code-named EQOOT¹⁶²
• Short Focusing Mount code-named COOTL⁶². The Leica 9cm f/2.2 Thambar lens head is removable from the mount⁶³. In 1939⁶⁵, Leitz briefly produced a special short mount (code COOTL⁴¹ / catalog number 70122⁶⁵) for the Leica 9cm f/2.2 Thambar, intended for use on the rotating copying attachment (code OORES) or the sliding focusing copy attachment (code GRBOO) for Leica 250⁶⁵. These two devices were also described in the catalog from March of 1939 and are equally difficult to obtain today⁶⁵. Short mount COOTL at a price of 15.00 USD⁶⁵.
• Reversing Lens Hood code-named SHADE¹⁶²
• E48 Screw in for use without spot A52 Clamp type for use with spot¹⁶²
• Spot filter supplied with lens¹⁶²
• Early lens cap was code-named ORZHO, while later one was TNOOZ¹⁶²

Leitz also manufactured special filters for use with the Leica 9cm f/2.2 Thambar lens⁶³. These filters were designed to fit over the central stop and were secured to the lens barrel using a clamping ring and setscrew⁶³. They are quite rare⁶³. The filter is constructed so that a slip-on lens hood can attach to its front⁶³. No. 1 light yellow filter is code-named PEOOZ and is from 1936⁸⁵. If the Leica 9cm f/2.2 Thambar was used without the spot filter, the 48mm screw-in filters for the 200mm f/4.5 Telyt lens were recommended⁸⁵.

Production Figures

The first three digits of serial numbers of all lenses reported to date only involve the following numbers: 226, 283, 311, 375, 416, 472, 511, and 540⁶³. 

Notably, no two Leica 9cm f/2.2 Thambar lenses produce exactly the same results⁶³.

Production Figures162
Source	Year	Quantity		Source	Year	Serial Number	Quantity
Rogliatti	1935	231		H. Schofield, from LEITZ records	1935	226001-226500	500
Rogliatti	1936	790		H. Schofield, from LEITZ records	1936	283001-283500	500
Rogliatti	1937	536		H. Schofield, from LEITZ records	1936	311001-311500	500
Rogliatti	1938	663		H. Schofield, from LEITZ records	1937	375001-375500	500
Rogliatti	1939	403		H. Schofield, from LEITZ records	1938	416501-417000	500
Rogliatti	1940	147		H. Schofield, from LEITZ records	1939	472001-472500	500
Rogliatti	1941	159		H. Schofield, from LEITZ records	1940-1949	540001-540150	150
Rogliatti	1942	20
Rogliatti	1943	1
Rogliatti	1944	1
Rogliatti	1945	0
Rogliatti	1946	19
Rogliatti	1947	0
Rogliatti	1948	4
Rogliatti	1949	1

9cm f/1.5 Summarex Prototype