Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/01/19
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Robert - It really is not too difficult to understand, if you just think of the Elmar lens as being the standard lens & not an optional item, that came with the 56,548 Leica 1(A)s made between 1926 & 1936. Also 857 in 1925 that were called Elmax or Anastigmats & 589 Hektor 50/2.5 lenses in 1931. As I wrote before, some of these unnumbered lenses were put in new "O" RF coupled & standardized mounts when the 1st rangefinder Leica II(D) arrived on the scene in 1932 and therefore didn't have a visable number. They are really quite common as in those years, Leitz offered a very in- expensive upgrading and you could have your Mod. I upped to a II and then the II to a III - all having this same unnumbered lens which after WW2 could be factory coated for a modest charge. This is how things were done in those days & how Leitz earned its fine reputation & mystique before the Leitz family sold the company to the Swiss (Sheidheinie)* company that made its fortune in selling cement. Many Leica users are still so entranced with the Leica mystique that they will ignore the relatively poor quality control & service that some say is offered today - and attempt to justify this by saying that it is just the whole new era where high tech replaces craftmanship. Since most of what I am saying has already been a long thread back about six months ago - I am going to get off my soap box & have dinner. ** spelling ????? Daaag, Marvin Moss ========================================================= In a message dated 98-01-19 21:21:00 EST, you write: << Now, now, 60,000...unnumbered...doesn t it somewhat sound like an oxymoron? Or are we to understand that each early leica body was automatically sold with a 50 mm Elmar? I am not implying that the lens is rare in any way, I d justlike to understand the early policy Leitz used to number their lenses, and i d like to know how to find out the year of production of my lens. Good evening to all, Robert.