Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/06/21
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]In a message dated 6/21/01 7:08:50 AM, owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us writes: << I've also seen an early 35/2.8 Summaron with removable <eyes>. That would be 1958. I know that without the <eyes> you'll be looking at the 50mm frame. And you'll be getting a very different and likely less accurate viewfinder image. My guess is that Leitz had not developed the processes for manufacturing the early lenses with <eyes> integrally cast with the lens mount and that the removable feature was simply the first design created to enable the lens to be used on an M3 without separate 35mm viewfinder. >> I have one of those lenses fitted to my very early model M3. I always thought that Leitz had anticipated making the M2 and other M series cameras with less magnifiction in the finder. My naieve assumption was that Leitz designed the Summaron so that it would be adaptable to other M series cameras. I guess I was wrong. Just goes to show that you can't overestimate the foresight of Leica engineers. Anyway, when I use the Summaron on my later M cameras, I simply pop off the eyes. Larry Zeitlin