Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/01/18

[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]

Subject: [Leica] FS 35mm Summicron
From: kididdoc at cox.net (Steve Barbour)
Date: Sun Jan 18 05:57:30 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><CC28F634F2884798B2D730292619B0B5@D1S9FY41> <B36BFE01-2F4F-44DE-9A2B-4AE49D1A51A6@usjet.net> <B94C48D6CA334B7CB89F7BB096315EB3@D1S9FY41>

On Jan 18, 2009, at 6:36 AM, Seth Rosner wrote:

> All different optical designs. All are Gauss derivatives. #1 is an 8- 
> element, #2 and 3 are 6-element with slight differences (in #2 the  
> second and third elements are cemented together whereas in #3 they  
> are separated by air, sometimes called an "air lens" for the  
> different refracting effect of air vis-a-vis glass,  and #4,  
> frequently referred to as the "pre-aspheric", is 7-element with  
> elements 2 & 3 and elements 6 & 7 cemented together.

some love especially  #4, calling it the bokeh king.

I love that lens... what are your thoughts Seth?

Steve



> If you're really interested in this stuff, Erwin Puts' book, "Leica  
> Lens Compendium" is an excellent resource, though in it Erwin  
> occasionally expresses opinions with which I have disagreed  
> publicly. Seth
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert Meier" <robertmeier@usjet.net 
> >
> To: "Leica Users Group" <lug@leica-users.org>
> Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2009 7:37 PM
> Subject: Re: [Leica] FS 35mm Summicron
>
>
>> They both have the full ring, serrated over about 270 degrees of it,
>> the aperture numbers the rest of the way.   So, they are BOTH version
>> 3 -- that is surprising, good news.   But all four versions are the
>> same optically, aren't  they?    Bob
>>
>> On Jan 17, 2009, at 6:30 PM, Seth Rosner wrote:
>>
>>> 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
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------ 
>>>>>>> -- -- ----------
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> 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
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -------------------------------------------------------------------- 
>>>>> -- ----------
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> 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
>>>
>>>
>>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
>>> ----------
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 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
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
> 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


Replies: Reply from sethrosner at nycap.rr.com (Seth Rosner) ([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)
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)