Quote:
Originally Posted by cbretteville
Confusing: The 7th ed of Leica Pocket Book has the E48 version as two different optical cells. One in use from 1957-1959, second from 1959-1979. The 1980 one is described as the "third version". A bit confusing as the heading uses the roman numeral "II".
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Yes, the situation is a bit confused. Many compilers of information have missed the fact that the lens was recomputed, with a distinct improvement in performance, between the SOOZI, with the sculptural detacheable hood, and the later SEEOF/SEEOM/11123 with the built-in collapsible hood, counting both as one version. Others count them as two. Both used E48 filters. But I am of course speaking about the 11136, officially launched in 1980 and discontinued in 1998. The first model mount, described in my first posting, took 49mm filters, the second model (from no.3177201) uses E55. I agree that this should be counted as v. III, but v. II seems to be more common.
It is of course all a matter of what counts as a version. Is it the mount or the optics, or both? If it is the optics, how much of a change is required? Lenses with a long production run are often quietly recomputed because a glass is no longer available, or in order to ease production. In my modest opinion, a recomputation should be counted as a new version if it materially affects performance. Not an exact and mechanically applicable definition, to be sure! But the SOOZY-SEEOF change should qualify: The basic double Gaussian layout was not changed, but both general definition and close range performance were much improved.
The old man from the Age of the 3.5 Elmar