Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/10/18
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]The book solution on the Summilux is that it was introduced in '59, but I wouldn't be surprised to see one produced a year or so before that -- Leitz and Leica have often introduced thing by infiltration rather than at a single given time. In '61, the lens was completely recomputed at 1844001 though Leitz did not acknowledge the change until five years or so later. The recomputed lens is a significantly better performer optically. This formula is still in production today, though the mount has been reworked. The mounts were chrome for both versions until 1966 or so, when black paint, and then black anodized, ones were introduced. I have owned a couple of the chrome lenses over the years but currently have only a single black anodized one. It's a lot like me: it is old, tired, and beaten to death but it still is sparklingly sharp, and it gets the job done with style, grace, and elegance. Marc Marc James Small Cha Robh Bas Fir, Gun Ghras Fir! FAX: +540/343-7315