Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/04/24

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Weight of Chrome v. Black Lenses
From: John Collier <jbcollier@home.com>
Date: Mon, 24 Apr 2000 21:44:14 -0600

Leica uses the self-lubricating combination of aluminium and brass in its
lens helicals. The black lenses have a surface of anodised aluminium on the
larger outer (female thread) part and the smaller inner (male threaded) part
is brass. As you know you cannot chrome aluminium so they have to use the
brass for the larger outer part on the chrome lenses and this is why they
are heavier. There are no other differences in the lenses.

John Collier

Both the 35 lenses (summilux and summicron) are amazing lenses.

> From: John Coan <jcoan@alumni.duke.edu>
> 
> 
> I am a new list member and have a pretty stupid question -- Can someone help?
> 
> I'm looking at the Leica web site regarding Summicron-M 35/2 asph  lenses.
> The
> chrome model weighs a hundred grams more than the black one.  I thought this
> might
> be a fluke, but on the other focal lengths the same trend occurs.
> 
> I have a used M6 on order and need a lens... the camera body is a chrome one
> with
> black rewind, shutter speed, and wind lever -- so it's "two-tone" already.  I
> can
> use either color and not be tacky.  So, I would prefer the lighter weight.
> But....
> why would a chrome lens add so much weight anyway?  Intellectual curiosity I
> suppose.
> 
> Any comments regarding my choice of the 35/2.0 for a first all around "walking
> around" lens?
>