RE: [Leica] 12cm f4.5 Summar lens query-anyone familiar with it?-Erwin?

[Jem Kime <jem.kime@cwcom.net>]

The illustrated lens (which I also found in Van Haesbroek's previous 
softback volume on Screw mount Leicas) also shows the guide numbers as you 
describe, as did mine.
Mine, and the book's versions had engraved lettering for 'Germany' rather 
than a decal, and I note what you say about the coating. This may have been 
applied later though I know that some obscure medium/large format 
photomicrographic equipment was still made by Leitz as late as the mid 
1970s, e.g. the MAKAM, a 6x9cm microscope camera.
Have you tried writing to Leica, I would suggest copying the letter to the 
scientific company as well as the camera side of things.
Jem

- -----Original Message-----
From:	Rob McElroy [SMTP:idag@pce.net]

Thanks Jem,

The aperture settings on the 12cm Summar are marked in Stoltze guide 
numbers, which run 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, 96.  The lens is all black, is 
engraved
E. Leitz Wetzlar, Summar f=12cm 1:4.5, has no serial number, and has a 
small white decal with black letters that says "Germany".  It looks more 
like a
1930's or 40's lens rather than a turn of the century lens AND the lens is 
coated which should place it in the 1940's or later.

I hope someone can enlighten me with some additional info.

Thanks again,
Rob McElroy
Buffalo, NY


Jem Kime wrote:

> I had one briefly but know little more about it now than I did then.
> In Van Haesbroek's book, 'Leica, A History Covering Every  blah blah 
blah'
> it suggests it comes from a time B.L.C. (before Leica camera) and was
> announced in 1902.
> It was one of the earliest lenses manufactuered by Leitz. The firm made
> microphotographic cameras from the 1880s of 13x18cm format. I suspect it
> would cover that.
> Jem
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From:   Rob McElroy [SMTP:idag@pce.net]
>
> Anyone have any experience with or knowledge about the 12cm f4.5 Summar
> lens?  It is a screw mount lens with 32.5mm mounting thread diameter. It 
is
> shown mounted on an Ibsor shutter, on page 128 of Lager's Lenses book.  I
> bought one today at a price I couldn't pass up, but know little about it
> other than it was used for close-up photography.
>
> Here's my barrage of questions.
>
> I would like to know what format the lens was designed to cover, if it 
has
> a flat image plane, what reproduction range it was designed for, how its
> resolution and contrast measure up to the best comparable lenses, when it
> was in production, why was production stopped, did it become the Photar,
> was
> it part of the Leicaphot system?  Can anyone point me to some Leitz
> literature that might describe it?
>
> Any and all responses are welcome.
>
> Thanks,
> Rob McElroy
> Buffalo, NY