Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/01/17
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]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 >>> >>> >>> -------------------------------------------------------------------- >>> -- ---------- >>> >>> >>> >>> No virus found in this incoming message. >>> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com >>> Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.10.8/1898 - Release Date: >>> 1/16/2009 3:09 PM >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Leica Users Group. >>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > ---------- > > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com > Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.10.8/1898 - Release Date: > 1/16/2009 3:09 PM > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information