Search the Community

Trying to find a COMPLETE LIST of the Summaron 35mm 2.8 lenses that were delivered to the Swedish Army and had the three crowns insignia of the Swedish Military engraved. Leica sent an email to me recently responding that "They regretfully possess no official listings of serial numbers or even the exact documented amount of Summaron 35 2.8 lenses delivered to the Swedish Army". The Wiki article states that 1677001 - 1680000 is the serial number batch from which the "three crown" Summarons (1959/60) were sourced. Some dealers say there were only 10 such lenses, some say that there were 30, some say lots more, but it is really difficult to get a hold of the real numbers. I have managed to verify (visually) the small batch of the following serial numbers of the Summaron 35 2.8's that have the 3 crowns engraved. Neither the Wiki entry on the batch, nor the "10 units only" claim seem to be correct. Also, according to Leica archives and Lars Netopil's kind research correspondence, some of the below numbers are FAKE three crown engravnigs: 1664759 1678204 1678208 (depicted in Lager's Illustrated History Vol. 1) 1678210 1678241 1678246 1678305 1678328 1678693 1678780 1679028 Brandt Optik AG (Stockholm) was the Leitz Agent/official importer in Sweden at the time. All items were never shipped directly from Wetzlar to the Swedish military, but to Brandt be delivered to the Swedish military. Apparently 35/2.8 lenses with three crowns all were shipped together on May 25th 1960 to Brandt Stockholm, with shipping number 80856 (80856 instead of 80866!). Upon checking of some details with Leica AG some of the delivery dates for the serial numbers above did not match the delivery date nor the location, i.e. were delivered to Germany or Asia (HK) instead later and have nothing to do with Swedish Military. Maybe someone from the community and/or well respected collectors frequenting this forum can help to compile and perfect the list or shed some further light on the matter? Thank you in advance.

As seen in early Spring. M240, 35mm Summaron f2.8.

Probably as close as I will ever get... M240, Summaron 35mm.

More local open countryside vanishes... MP, 35mm Summaron f2.8, Portra 160 converted in Perfect Effects 9.

Sarcen stones scattered amongst the scrubland on Manton Down, an area of high ground above Marlborough in Wiltshire. MP, 35mm Summaron, Agfa Vista 200.

Beer in Dorset, South coast of UK. Beer as in the place, not the beverage. Mind you, they had beer in Beer, but that came later.

or should that be the heavens? Leica MP, 1968 Summaron 35mm f2.8, Agfa Vista.

Well there was a time... MP, 1967 Summaron 35mm f2.8, Acros 100, Rodinal.

Taking refreshments on the banks of the Loire at St Satur. MP, Summaron 35mm f2.8, Acros 100, Rodinal.

Had to test my M4 this week as it has just been returned from having the shutter curtains repaired. Summaron 35mm f2.8. Took the opportunity to try a new (to me) film/dev combination, Tri-X and Rodinal R09. The Tri-X was exposed as ISO 320 and developed in the R09 @ 1+50 for 11 mins 45 secs. C+C welcomed.

Howzat?! M4, Summaron 35mm f2.8, HP5+, Epson V700. C+C welcomed.

This week saw the arrival of a chrome M4 (sourced from Peter Loy), an ideal companion for my 35mm Summaron f2.8. The M4 is from the 1967 first batch and the lens from 1968 (both according to Leica_wiki). The combination is a delight to handle and both are just so smooth to operate. Hard to credit that both are well over forty years old. (Picture below). Also pictured is the M4 in contrast to the M9 and M7. The M4 could almost be described as petite in such company!

Acros 100 @ ISO 80 - ridiculously low shutter speed, hand-held - deep breath, breathe out and squeeeze... (MP, Summaron 35mm f2.8).

This week has been an inspiring (but tiring) week. I attended a course entitled 'Spirit of Place' at the Marlborough College Summer School. The main thrust of the course was to capture the atmosphere and history of the Marlborough Downs, its landscape, heritage and buildings. The weather was not terribly kind to us but it did at least offer some interesting cloudscapes. On Wed afternoon I trudged up to the top of Knap Hill, overlooking the Vale of Pewsey. Sans tripod, I wondered at the possibility of capturing a blur-free image due to the strong, gusting wind. Anyway, here is one result, looking east along Tan Hill Way. M9, Summaron 35mm f2.8.

In Coulon, France. M9, 1967 Summaron 35mm.

Looking at photos of the Summaron 35mm f2.8 type 11306, the front element appears to be deeply recessed. In Ken Rockwell's test (yes, yes, I know...), he writes that even without a hood, he could not get it to flare. Would any users of this lens please care to voice their findings on using this lens without a hood - thanks.

I've been looking everywhere on the net to find the bag for the Summaron 35/2.8 - any ideas where I could be in luck would be most appreciated! Thank you in advance!

Recent snow in Southern England was the heaviest we've had for a long, long time. All three photos M2|Summaron 2.8|HP5|neat Perceptol [ATTACH]234941[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]234942[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]234943[/ATTACH] Hope you like them, Jim.