Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/01/17

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Subject: [Leica] FS 35mm Summicron
From: sethrosner at nycap.rr.com (Seth Rosner)
Date: Sat Jan 17 16:29:24 2009
References: <20090117005558.PDMF18445.eastrmmtao103.cox.net@eastrmimpo03.cox.net><50574752-F044-4C51-8968-0897EA414D3D@usjet.net><8979E64B1EDA477ABC75864ED34F5487@D1S9FY41><C029DA3B-B043-4E22-A229-7AE02D20C699@usjet.net><D64F863506B54290A141DFAFCDDBF6C1@D1S9FY41><167579D7-2CC5-4041-95CA-12272DC465C6@usjet.net><8DBC9D91FE9E47D7AAF8F8956014C5D8@D1S9FY41> <625CEE04-9886-4546-A2D3-5F377976EC01@usjet.net>

Bob, I've just taken a look at Erwin Puts' book and see that he puts the 
intro of version 3 in 1971 that would make both of your lenses version 3's. 
One other way to determine to which group your earlier lens belongs is ask 
if the diaphragm is controlled by a small tab that protrudes from the lens 
mount or by a more typical ring. If the former, it is version 2, if the 
latter, they're both version 3.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert Meier" <robertmeier@usjet.net>
To: "Leica Users Group" <lug@leica-users.org>
Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2009 6:12 PM
Subject: Re: [Leica] FS 35mm Summicron


> My other Summicron 35 is 2619853, which the list puts as only a year
> newer (thanks Arche), but this one is mint.   I thought the newer one
> is version 3, but now I'm not sure.
> Bob
>
> On Jan 17, 2009, at 3:24 PM, Seth Rosner wrote:
>
>> Same series (version), Bob?
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert Meier"
>> <robertmeier@usjet.net>
>> To: "Leica Users Group" <lug@leica-users.org>
>> Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2009 4:10 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Leica] FS 35mm Summicron
>>
>>
>>> Seth,
>>>
>>> That's a very impressive story, both about how well built a Leica
>>> lens is, and how good the Leica New Jersey service is/was.   I should
>>> reconsider selling this lens, except I have another one that is newer
>>> and is even nicer!
>>>
>>> Bob
>>>
>>> On Jan 17, 2009, at 12:37 PM, Seth Rosner wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi Bob, the lists I have show that your 35/2 Summicron is from 1972
>>>> production that commenced at #2503101 through 2556500. I believe
>>>> that Steve's serial numbers refer only to cameras. I bought one of
>>>> these lenses shortly after their introduction in 1969 or 70. Was in
>>>> my kit for a four-week visit to South and East Africa = 700+
>>>> Kodachromes.
>>>>
>>>> One afternoon in our hotel room in Nairobi after returning from an
>>>> 8-day tour of the Serengeti, I put down my M4 w/ 35/2 Summicron
>>>> attached to answer the phone. I had forgotten to twist the lens to
>>>> full lock. When I picked it up, the lens plunged onto a tile floor,
>>>> bending the rear flange. I literally burst into sweat, told my wife
>>>> that I had to go for a short walk to calm down. Returned to hotel
>>>> room, looked once again at bent flange, shook lens vigorously to
>>>> ascertain if there were loose glass elements, diaphragm blades or
>>>> other un-Leica-like anomalies,  etc, tried it on the M4 to which it
>>>> seemd to mate as usual. Had no back-up 35mm so used it balance of
>>>> the trip. On return to NYC, I called Vince Fochtman, the lens guy
>>>> at Leitz/Rockleigh whom I knew pretty well, told him the story and
>>>> said I was sending him the lens; if there was damage to the glass
>>>> or mechanicals that could not be made perfect,  please just return
>>>> the lens with a bill and I would sell it and find another; if it
>>>> could be made optically and mechanically flawless despite cosmetic
>>>> flaws, please repair the lens. A week passed, my lens returned with
>>>> a Leitz invoice that had no charge. I called Vince and inquired. He
>>>> said the lens was fine, glass clean, clear, not decentered a
>>>> micron, just as good as it had come from Wetzlar; he had been able
>>>> very gently and little by little to bend the bent- out-of-shape
>>>> flange into perfect alignment, didn't need any parts, so no charge!
>>>> Talk about robust fortress-like construction! I would like to think
>>>> that current production is just as strong. Who knows?
>>>>
>>>> Enjoy your Summicron!
>>>>
>>>> Seth
>>>>
>>>> Seth
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert Meier"
>>>> <robertmeier@usjet.net>
>>>> To: "Leica Users Group" <lug@leica-users.org>
>>>> Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2009 11:19 AM
>>>> Subject: Re: [Leica] FS 35mm Summicron
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Seth,
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks for that confirmation.   Where can I go to check the serial
>>>>> numbers of lenses?   All I know about is Stephen Gandy's lists of
>>>>> body serial numbers.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>> Bob
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Jan 17, 2009, at 7:06 AM, Seth Rosner wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> it is indeed the second version
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert Meier"
>>>>>> <robertmeier@usjet.net>
>>>>>> To: "Leica Users Group" <lug@leica-users.org>
>>>>>> Sent: Friday, January 16, 2009 8:02 PM
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Leica] FS 35mm Summicron
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I have a 35mm Summicron, pre-aspheric, that shows wear on the
>>>>>>> barrel
>>>>>>> (no dents or dings) and has mint glass.  With both caps.   I
>>>>>>> think it
>>>>>>> is 2nd version, but I'm not sure.   The serial number is 2541855,
>>>>>>> $750
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> Leica Users Group.
>>>>>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more
>>>>>>> information
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------ 
>>>>>> -- -- ----------
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>>>>>> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
>>>>>> Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.10.8/1898 - Release Date:
>>>>>> 1/16/2009 3:09 PM
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> Leica Users Group.
>>>>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more
>>>>>> information
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Leica Users Group.
>>>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more
>>>>> information
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>> Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.10.8/1898 - Release Date:
>>>> 1/16/2009 3:09 PM
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>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Leica Users Group.
>>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Leica Users Group.
>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>>
>>
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>>
>>
>>
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>> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
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>> 1/16/2009 3:09 PM
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>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Leica Users Group.
>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Leica Users Group.
> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information


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Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.10.8/1898 - Release Date: 1/16/2009 
3:09 PM


Replies: Reply from robertmeier at usjet.net (Robert Meier) ([Leica] FS 35mm Summicron)
In reply to: Message from kcarney1 at cox.net (Ken Carney) ([Leica] more audiophilia)
Message from robertmeier at usjet.net (Robert Meier) ([Leica] FS 35mm Summicron)
Message from sethrosner at nycap.rr.com (Seth Rosner) ([Leica] FS 35mm Summicron)
Message from robertmeier at usjet.net (Robert Meier) ([Leica] FS 35mm Summicron)
Message from sethrosner at nycap.rr.com (Seth Rosner) ([Leica] FS 35mm Summicron)
Message from robertmeier at usjet.net (Robert Meier) ([Leica] FS 35mm Summicron)
Message from sethrosner at nycap.rr.com (Seth Rosner) ([Leica] FS 35mm Summicron)
Message from robertmeier at usjet.net (Robert Meier) ([Leica] FS 35mm Summicron)