Fontenelle archives 80 : Summaron 35 "one-eyed RF"

[Pecole]

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When the M3 was revealed in 1954, its only real shortcoming was the absence of a 35mm framing in its viewfider. The remedy was the so-called "RF" 35 mm lenses : Summaron, Summicron and Summilux with an attachment for optical correction...but the first one was only available as from 1956. In between, Leitz had developed various solutions, one of the most original ones being a single correction lens for both the viewfinder and the telemeter. Technically - if not aesthetically - this solution is interesting in combining - or should we say "funneling" ? - two "windows" into one. Here is a sample of this prototype we had in our Fontenelle Collection : the Summaron 3,5cm 1:3,5 is numbered 1148420 and dates from 1954, what confirms that Leitz was aware of the "problem" immediately after introducing the M3. The correction lens/funnel is detachable, but not its supporting arm.

Curious isnt'it ?