lycanthrope84 Posted March 19, 2012 Share #1  Posted March 19, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi,  I've recently just came across a leica summilux 75mm f/1.4 version 1 (made in canada) lens without a serial number (I've checked all over the lens, it's not anywhere) . please see the attached images. My question is, is it legit? Are there some leica m lens that's made without printing the serial numbers on it? Or is it a fake (or do fakes even exist)?  Thanks! Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/175202-legit-summilux-75mm-without-serial-number/?do=findComment&comment=1958264'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 19, 2012 Posted March 19, 2012 Hi lycanthrope84, Take a look here legit? summilux 75mm without serial number?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Guest Ornello Posted March 19, 2012 Share #2 Â Posted March 19, 2012 Hi, Â I've recently just came across a leica summilux 75mm f/1.4 version 1 (made in canada) lens without a serial number (I've checked all over the lens, it's not anywhere) . please see the attached images. My question is, is it legit? Are there some leica m lens that's made without printing the serial numbers on it? Or is it a fake (or do fakes even exist)? Â Thanks! Â Could be a prototype. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted March 19, 2012 Share #3  Posted March 19, 2012 http://www.digoliardi.net/tmp.jpg  Above is a picture that shows where my serial number is for that lens. I presume yours should be in the same position. Looks like you have a rarity. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted March 20, 2012 Share #4 Â Posted March 20, 2012 Want to sell that lens? Contact me via PM. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thompsonkirk Posted March 20, 2012 Share #5 Â Posted March 20, 2012 We used to hear of 'lunch box Leicas' that left the factory without serial numbers. Perhaps this also happened with a lens? Â Kirk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lycanthrope84 Posted March 20, 2012 Author Share #6  Posted March 20, 2012 Omello: Prototype substance, I'm liking it!  Pico: Thanks for your image, I checked on mine again to made sure, but nope, it's not there! I've just started shooting with it for a week and it's awesome! I will notify you first when if I'm gonna sell in the future  Kirk: That's interesting! As long as it's an actual leica lens, I could care less about the serial no.!  one of the very first two portraits I've shot of: my barista (day) my bartender (night) Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/175202-legit-summilux-75mm-without-serial-number/?do=findComment&comment=1958779'>More sharing options...
pico Posted March 20, 2012 Share #7  Posted March 20, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) We used to hear of 'lunch box Leicas' that left the factory without serial numbers. Perhaps this also happened with a lens? Kirk  Oh, that's not good. You mean it was stolen before numbered? That's going to complicate insurance, and does it mean you can't send it back to Leica for maintenance? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ornello Posted March 20, 2012 Share #8  Posted March 20, 2012 We used to hear of 'lunch box Leicas' that left the factory without serial numbers. Perhaps this also happened with a lens? Kirk  Hmmmm...unauthorised assembly of rejected parts? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lycanthrope84 Posted March 20, 2012 Author Share #9 Â Posted March 20, 2012 Â did the lens just go from rarity to inauthenticity? do you guys think emailing to Leica directly would get a proper response? Or any other theories/explanations? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted March 20, 2012 Share #10  Posted March 20, 2012 The position of s/n at side is normal for lenses of that timeframe (around '75-'80), me too have 2 or 3 like this (not the Lux 75)... I thought that they put it there when they decided to engrave on the front ring "LEITZ LENS MADE IN CANADA" - full capital, plus name, focal and aperture... onto a 35 / 28 / 50 (*) simply there wasn't enough space for the s/n...  Imho... they simply FORGOT to engrave the s/n... Canadian factory wasn't exactly in full shape, those years... Anyway, it would be interesting to have it dismantled (in a well skilled lab, of course) to look at components... dunno if they "scratched" something in the inner surfaces (numbers / codes) as they did in Wetzlar... but is worth to try..  So, at least, is an interesting oddity - a plus for collector's value.  (*) And 90 too, when little... Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/175202-legit-summilux-75mm-without-serial-number/?do=findComment&comment=1959445'>More sharing options...
lycanthrope84 Posted March 20, 2012 Author Share #11  Posted March 20, 2012 Luigi, thanks for your input (new knowledge absorbed)!  I feel like I'm on a roller-coaster ride whenever I find out possible good/bad explanations to it.  However, I do like the "interesting oddity" and will have the lens remain intact for now, don't know if I trust the labs/leica shops where I am.  I've attached another picture I've shot tonight with my sony Nex 5n with a hawk helicoid adapter and the 75mm summilux. Please let me know if anything looks wrong (besides my poor photography/focusing skills).  Thanks again for all the input so far Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/175202-legit-summilux-75mm-without-serial-number/?do=findComment&comment=1959468'>More sharing options...
ho_co Posted March 21, 2012 Share #12 Â Posted March 21, 2012 If it had been a reject, it wouldn't have reached this stage of assembly. And you can't cobble together a lens of this specification out of spare parts. Â I think serial number engraving is the last step. And clearly, from your results, there's nothing wrong with the lens. Â I'd write Leica and ask, if I were you. If you do that, do be sure to tell us what they say! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
menos I M6 Posted March 22, 2012 Share #13 Â Posted March 22, 2012 Did Elcan change the area of SN inscription during the production of version 1? Â If this was the case, it might have happened, that on this specific lens a damaged aperture control ring (with SN inscription) has been exchanged during a repair with a later spare part, that didn't have the inscription. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenPatterson Posted March 23, 2012 Share #14  Posted March 23, 2012 . I think serial number engraving is the last step. And clearly, from your results, there's nothing wrong with the lens.   I have a hard time believing that serial number engraving is the last step. The chance to introduce small metal particles into the lens and elements would seem to suggest that parts are engraved in sequence and assembled at a later stage.  I tend to agree that this is probably a QA screwup from Leitz Canada. Enjoy your lens and it's somewhat unorthodox providence. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Washington Posted March 27, 2012 Share #15  Posted March 27, 2012 Hey, it works! Isn’t that all you need to know. Good luck! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted March 27, 2012 Share #16 Â Posted March 27, 2012 I wonder if Leica could help, at least confirm the possibility of a prototype, might be nice to get a bit of provenance if you ever decide to sell. Â I have seen the Asian market ask lots for prototypes, one of Mandlers best could be a nice little investment Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted March 27, 2012 Share #17 Â Posted March 27, 2012 Personally, I would find out if it were a prototype before adding signs of use to it. I hope for you that it is! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted March 31, 2012 Share #18  Posted March 31, 2012 Did Elcan change the area of SN inscription during the production of version 1? If this was the case, it might have happened, that on this specific lens a damaged aperture control ring (with SN inscription) has been exchanged during a repair with a later spare part, that didn't have the inscription.  I think that all V1 Summilux had the s/n at side... the hipotesis of a repair with a unnumbered ring is very reasonable: Ontario factory did make many spares (many of them reached the market after factory's selling to Hughes) : imho , more probable than the prototype's hipotesis : usually, they have some other detail that reveal their status (and, often, do bear numbers in the 0000xxx range.. also Elcan used to do like this) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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