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Collapsible Summicron f-stop index


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I managed to acquire a really beautiful collapsible Summicron with pristine glass and near mint barrel, though the small index dot for the f-stops is not in line with the focus mark, but rather 10° to the left. Is that normal? I know it wont affect performance, but you know....

 

is there an easy fix to rotate the front bit of the lens to get it in line with the rest of the lens?

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It is normal. Many older Leica lenses, particularly those made in Thread Mount, had an offset f-stop dial. Reason was that, often there was an accessory finder sitting in the camera's shoe and had the f-stop index been in the center, it would be difficult to see the set aperture. One would have to sort off look around the accessory finder.

 

Even though your Summicron is an M mount lens, it was available in Thread Mount as well and I guess Leitz kept the collapsible mount alignment identical between the two mounts.

 

You can rest at peace, the horizon in your photos will stay perfectly horizontal. If not, it won't be the lens' fault...... ;):p

 

Best,

 

Jan

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It is normal. [Many older Leica lenses, particularly those made in Thread Mount, had an offset f-stop dial. Reason was that, often there was an accessory finder sitting in the camera's shoe and had the f-stop index been in the center, it would be difficult to see the set aperture. One would have to sort off look around the accessory finder.]

 

Even though your Summicron is an M mount lens, it was available in Thread Mount as well and I guess Leitz kept the collapsible mount alignment identical between the two mounts.

 

You can rest at peace, the horizon in your photos will stay perfectly horizontal. If not, it won't be the lens' fault...... ;):p

 

Best,

 

Jan

Thank you Jan, I was wondering about that myself. I also have some R/F Canon cameras& lenses which have the same off-set. A so-called "repairer" once returned a Canon body to me with the mount turned around so the lens indicators were at the bottom. He couldn't understand why the off-set was there. Now, I am enlightened and I thank "geesbert" for the question. David

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.......Many older Leica lenses, particularly those made in Thread Mount, had an offset f-stop dial. Reason was that, often there was an accessory finder sitting in the camera's shoe and had the f-stop index been in the center, it would be difficult to see the set aperture. One would have to sort off look around the accessory finder......

 

Best,

 

Jan

 

Actually, to be exact - it was not just the f-stop dial that was offset, even the focusing index was off to the side for the same reason quoted above.

 

Best,

 

Jan

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