Re: [Leica] Lens to work with M6 35mm frame lines??

[John Collier <jbcollier@home.com>]

Judging by the serial no. it probably will activate the 50 frame. The early
35/3.5 M lenses were meant to be used on the M3 with a separate viewfinder
and activate the 50 frame. It would not have made sense to activate the 135
frame. Next Leica made the 35/3.5 with correcting eyes (still activated the
50 frame) and finally, with the introduction of the M2, a eyeless lens that
activated the 35 frame (35/135 in the M4 and on). It is possible to modify
the lens mount to activate the 35 frame but this is tricky as material needs
to be added. You would have to remove the mount, silver solder on the extra
material and then machine to fit. The best choice would be a very late 35/2
non-asph summicron with great glass but a tough mount typically around
$400US to $450US. Unfortunately, as this is what every shooter is looking
for, they are rather thin on the ground. Before you worry too much wait for
the lens to arrive, it may have been modified already.

John Collier

> From: Denis Boisclair <denis.a.boisclair@lineone.net>
> 
> I aaam a Leica 'newbie' and I have  mail ordered a 35mm f3.5 Summaron -M-
> lens to use with an M6 camera. It is described as 'Exc++ 95%. Very clean
> barrel optics' and priced at £229 (around $345). The lens number is 1273923
> and the dealer tells me that this indicates that it was manufactured in 1955.
> 
> The dealer told me on the phone that although advertised as 'for M2/M4' (no
> goggles mentioned) the lens would activate the camera's 35 mm frame lines.
> 
> A  subsequent search of the LUG archives reveals that this lens will only
> bring up the 50mm frame lines!!! One posting to LUG says that early
> Summarons made between 1954 -1956 weren't around then!
> 
> The lens will arrive in the next day or two and it looks as though I will
> have to return it.
> 
> Can any member please advise me what  choice I have of used 35 mm lenses
> which WILL be a perfect match?
>