Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/01/18

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Subject: [Leica] FS 35mm Summicron
From: sethrosner at nycap.rr.com (Seth Rosner)
Date: Sun Jan 18 05:36:59 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><167579D7-2CC5-4041-95CA-12272DC465C6@usjet.net><8DBC9D91FE9E47D7AAF8F8956014C5D8@D1S9FY41><625CEE04-9886-4546-A2D3-5F377976EC01@usjet.net><CC28F634F2884798B2D730292619B0B5@D1S9FY41> <B36BFE01-2F4F-44DE-9A2B-4AE49D1A51A6@usjet.net>

All different optical designs. All are Gauss derivatives. #1 is an 
8-element, #2 and 3 are 6-element with slight differences (in #2 the second 
and third elements are cemented together whereas in #3 they are separated by 
air, sometimes called an "air lens" for the different refracting effect of 
air vis-a-vis glass,  and #4, frequently referred to as the "pre-aspheric", 
is 7-element with elements 2 & 3 and elements 6 & 7 cemented together. If 
you're really interested in this stuff, Erwin Puts' book, "Leica Lens 
Compendium" is an excellent resource, though in it Erwin occasionally 
expresses opinions with which I have disagreed publicly. Seth

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert Meier" <robertmeier@usjet.net>
To: "Leica Users Group" <lug@leica-users.org>
Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2009 7:37 PM
Subject: Re: [Leica] FS 35mm Summicron


> They both have the full ring, serrated over about 270 degrees of it,
> the aperture numbers the rest of the way.   So, they are BOTH version
> 3 -- that is surprising, good news.   But all four versions are the
> same optically, aren't  they?    Bob
>
> On Jan 17, 2009, at 6:30 PM, Seth Rosner wrote:
>
>> Bob, I've just taken a look at Erwin Puts' book and see that he
>> puts the intro of version 3 in 1971 that would make both of your
>> lenses version 3's. One other way to determine to which group your
>> earlier lens belongs is ask if the diaphragm is controlled by a
>> small tab that protrudes from the lens mount or by a more typical
>> ring. If the former, it is version 2, if the latter, they're both
>> version 3.
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert Meier"
>> <robertmeier@usjet.net>
>> To: "Leica Users Group" <lug@leica-users.org>
>> Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2009 6:12 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Leica] FS 35mm Summicron
>>
>>
>>> My other Summicron 35 is 2619853, which the list puts as only a year
>>> newer (thanks Arche), but this one is mint.   I thought the newer one
>>> is version 3, but now I'm not sure.
>>> Bob
>>>
>>> On Jan 17, 2009, at 3:24 PM, Seth Rosner wrote:
>>>
>>>> Same series (version), Bob?
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert Meier"
>>>> <robertmeier@usjet.net>
>>>> To: "Leica Users Group" <lug@leica-users.org>
>>>> Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2009 4:10 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [Leica] FS 35mm Summicron
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> 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
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------ 
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>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
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>>>>>> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
>>>>>> Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.10.8/1898 - Release Date:
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>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> 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
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -------------------------------------------------------------------- 
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>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> 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
>>
>>
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
>> ----------
>>
>>
>>
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>> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
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>> 1/16/2009 3:09 PM
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>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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


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Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
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3:09 PM


Replies: Reply from hoppyman at bigpond.net.au (Geoff Hopkinson) ([Leica] FS 35mm Summicron)
Reply from kididdoc at cox.net (Steve Barbour) ([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)
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)
Message from robertmeier at usjet.net (Robert Meier) ([Leica] FS 35mm Summicron)