Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/01/17

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Subject: [Leica] FS 35mm Summicron
From: robertmeier at usjet.net (Robert Meier)
Date: Sat Jan 17 13:11:11 2009
References: <20090117005558.PDMF18445.eastrmmtao103.cox.net@eastrmimpo03.cox.net><50574752-F044-4C51-8968-0897EA414D3D@usjet.net><8979E64B1EDA477ABC75864ED34F5487@D1S9FY41> <C029DA3B-B043-4E22-A229-7AE02D20C699@usjet.net> <D64F863506B54290A141DFAFCDDBF6C1@D1S9FY41>

Seth,

That's a very impressive story, both about how well built a Leica  
lens is, and how good the Leica New Jersey service is/was.   I should  
reconsider selling this lens, except I have another one that is newer  
and is even nicer!

Bob

On Jan 17, 2009, at 12:37 PM, Seth Rosner wrote:

> Hi Bob, the lists I have show that your 35/2 Summicron is from 1972  
> production that commenced at #2503101 through 2556500. I believe  
> that Steve's serial numbers refer only to cameras. I bought one of  
> these lenses shortly after their introduction in 1969 or 70. Was in  
> my kit for a four-week visit to South and East Africa = 700+  
> Kodachromes.
>
> One afternoon in our hotel room in Nairobi after returning from an  
> 8-day tour of the Serengeti, I put down my M4 w/ 35/2 Summicron  
> attached to answer the phone. I had forgotten to twist the lens to  
> full lock. When I picked it up, the lens plunged onto a tile floor,  
> bending the rear flange. I literally burst into sweat, told my wife  
> that I had to go for a short walk to calm down. Returned to hotel  
> room, looked once again at bent flange, shook lens vigorously to  
> ascertain if there were loose glass elements, diaphragm blades or  
> other un-Leica-like anomalies,  etc, tried it on the M4 to which it  
> seemd to mate as usual. Had no back-up 35mm so used it balance of  
> the trip. On return to NYC, I called Vince Fochtman, the lens guy  
> at Leitz/Rockleigh whom I knew pretty well, told him the story and  
> said I was sending him the lens; if there was damage to the glass  
> or mechanicals that could not be made perfect,  please just return  
> the lens with a bill and I would sell it and find another; if it  
> could be made optically and mechanically flawless despite cosmetic  
> flaws, please repair the lens. A week passed, my lens returned with  
> a Leitz invoice that had no charge. I called Vince and inquired. He  
> said the lens was fine, glass clean, clear, not decentered a  
> micron, just as good as it had come from Wetzlar; he had been able  
> very gently and little by little to bend the bent- out-of-shape  
> flange into perfect alignment, didn't need any parts, so no charge!
> Talk about robust fortress-like construction! I would like to think  
> that current production is just as strong. Who knows?
>
> Enjoy your Summicron!
>
> Seth
>
> Seth
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert Meier"  
> <robertmeier@usjet.net>
> To: "Leica Users Group" <lug@leica-users.org>
> Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2009 11:19 AM
> Subject: Re: [Leica] FS 35mm Summicron
>
>
>> Seth,
>>
>> Thanks for that confirmation.   Where can I go to check the serial
>> numbers of lenses?   All I know about is Stephen Gandy's lists of
>> body serial numbers.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Bob
>>
>>
>> On Jan 17, 2009, at 7:06 AM, Seth Rosner wrote:
>>
>>> it is indeed the second version
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert Meier"
>>> <robertmeier@usjet.net>
>>> To: "Leica Users Group" <lug@leica-users.org>
>>> Sent: Friday, January 16, 2009 8:02 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [Leica] FS 35mm Summicron
>>>
>>>
>>>> I have a 35mm Summicron, pre-aspheric, that shows wear on the  
>>>> barrel
>>>> (no dents or dings) and has mint glass.  With both caps.   I  
>>>> think it
>>>> is 2nd version, but I'm not sure.   The serial number is 2541855,
>>>> $750
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Leica Users Group.
>>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more  
>>>> information
>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Leica Users Group.
>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
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Replies: Reply from sethrosner at nycap.rr.com (Seth Rosner) ([Leica] FS 35mm Summicron)
In reply to: Message from kcarney1 at cox.net (Ken Carney) ([Leica] more audiophilia)
Message from robertmeier at usjet.net (Robert Meier) ([Leica] FS 35mm Summicron)
Message from sethrosner at nycap.rr.com (Seth Rosner) ([Leica] FS 35mm Summicron)
Message from robertmeier at usjet.net (Robert Meier) ([Leica] FS 35mm Summicron)
Message from sethrosner at nycap.rr.com (Seth Rosner) ([Leica] FS 35mm Summicron)