Summaron 3.5cm f3.5 doesn't call up 35 frameline on my M8

[UliWer]

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Yes

[ATTACH]224780[/ATTACH]

 

Ha!

 

You are right - and Thiele's list as well. He lists 2500 3.5 Summarons (1179.001 to 1181.500) with M-Mount in 1954!

 

I read it wrong and took the filter-mount "E39" for "screw mount".

 

And yes again: the batch from 1.148.001 to 1.151.000 is listed as "M" as well! So a.cheng's example should be an old original.

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[ho_co]

... On the photo you can see the screw-mount insde the bayonet , which was not unusal at this time....

I don't think so, Uli. Isn't that the focusing helicoid?

 

Interesting thread. I was unaware of that version of the lens.

[luigi bertolotti]

I don't think so, Uli. Isn't that the focusing helicoid?

 

Interesting thread. I was unaware of that version of the lens.

 

Summaron 3,5 is nice for collectors because it is a rather cheap item, but with a total of (afaik) 7 different variants, which is a pure pleasure for old lenses' lovers...

[radfilm]

Looks like a screw mount... Hard to tell but I see the treads.. If you get the correct adapter for the 35mm , it should bring up the lines. I am in the same situation.

[A. Cheng]

Thanks everybody for all your valuable responses that broaden my knowledge of this lens. I love its image quality than the new Summarit 35/2.5 which has been my M8's stable lens, especially when the RAW images are processed to B&W. I am waiting for my M3 returned from CLA and look forward to enjoying the B&W film image this lens creates.

 

The 35 framline issue does not bother me now. For shooting with M cameras, one needs to estimate correct/exact framing by experience anyway, and such practising process is part of the fun of RF photography.

 

Thanks again indeed.

[peterm1_Leica]

Look I have not read all of this thread but the short answer is yes this is normal. Some early bayonet mount Summarons designed for the M3 (remember that the M2 came out a few years later) did not bring up framelines for the 35mm as the M3 did not have them and so the lenses were designed to be used with a shoe mounted viewfinder. They will also not bring up the correct framelines for later cameras including the M2. Of course Leica also designed a 35mm Summaron with "goggles" for the M3 but that was a little later too. In short these early Summarons only bring up the 50mm framelines and that is perfectly normal. How do I know - I own just such a lens and any Leica lens reference book will tell you all about them in much more detail than I ever could.

[A. Cheng]

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Yes you are right, I tried mounting the lens on a M2 that I bought recently, it does not bring up the 35 frameline neither. However, after practising a lot these days with this lens on my M8, I can now estimate quite accurately based on the 50 frameline how the picture would frame eventually.

[doubice]

If this lens was a highly priced collectible, I would not modify it. It is however, a relatively common item and modifying it to activate the 35mm frame will increase its versatility, without affecting its value at all.

 

All that has to be done is to remove about 1mm from the frame actuating bayonet lug. If done cleanly and carefully, nobody will even notice and you’ll be able to use the lens without guessing or using external finders.

 

The mount is made from chrome plated brass and best way to perform this operation is either with a Dremel (or similar) tool or, a fine file. Take care that no filings fall into the helicoids - use masking tape around the exposed areas.

 

Best,

 

Jan