Summaron f/3.5

[wilfredo]

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A friend of mine inherited this lens. She approached me about it but I'm not familiar with these older lenses. Can it be used on a digital M such as the M9 or MM? Is it limited to film Leicas? I believe that the attachment viewfinder was designed for the M3. Based on the serial number can anyone guess the age and value?

 

Thanks!

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[james.liam]

A little bit about it on this site's Wiki:

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/Summaron_f%3D_3.5_cm_1:3.5

 

Weren't all these goggled lenses made for the M3 but compatible with all subsequent M bodies, film or digital?

 

The one you have looks to be vintage 1956. eBay has a few listed in the same general serial number range, from US$275-450.

Edited November 18, 2014 by james.liam

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[spydrxx]

My Leica list book indicates it was produced in 1956.

[TomB_tx]

Yes, it can be used on any M series camera, film or digital. I have a goggled 35 Summicron for my M3 that I've also used on the M9. With these lenses the lens brings up the 50mm framellines, but the goggles expand the view so the 35mm view fits in the 50mm frame

The optics of the goggles do affect the viewfinder clarity, but the lenses function fine.

I have the LTM version of the 3.5 Summaron, and have also used it on the M9. As is typical the contrast is lower than modern lenses, but the sharpness and detail are good, and I find the images pleasing.

[wilfredo]

I'm a bit tempted myself but I already have a 35mm Cron ASPH. The Summaron is in California and I'm in N.Y. so I won't have an opportunity to play with it. A dimmer viewfinder is a minus but it would probably look very cool on my MM. Thank you all for the very helpful responses.

[luigi bertolotti]

For some reason, one of the old Leitz glass which I am curiosly in love with... and hasn't yet ended to collect its variants (just 3 hereunder to not overcrowd the picture... )

 

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[wilfredo]

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Luigi:

 

You are not kidding. What is the fascination?

[A miller]

Wilfredo - I don't know if the goggles can be used, but that lens ought to be wonderful on your MM, as is all old glass. Give it a try

[luigi bertolotti]

Luigi:

 

You are not kidding. What is the fascination?

 

"Love is in the beholder's eye"... : I can just enumerate some possible reasons for my affection towards this lens :

 

- Was my first Leitz 35mm > 30 years ago...

- Was my SECOND Leitz lens (after Elmar 50, of course....), so all my long love affair , still enduring after so many years, started in a certain sense with it... let's say that should I hadn't added a 2nd lens... I would never have reached the 71 that I have now...

- Is a "modest" but fine lens, gracious even if hasn't the "jewerly look" of lenses like the SA 21 f4 or the Summarex 85, nor the "heavyweight imposing appearance" of lenses like the first Telyt 40cm, or the Telyt 800..

- Being neither rare nor "prestige" and without "ultrarare" special variants (even the "postkamera" version is rather common), is one of the few Leitz lenses that a collector can hope to have in all its variants (a longshot task which I patiently pursue) without mad expense.

[madNbad]

Gives you an excuse to buy a M3. Recently I acquired a LTM version in very nice condition. Added an adapter for use on my M2 and have been very pleased with the results.

Edited November 19, 2014 by madNbad

[duckrider]

Gives you an excuse to buy a M3.

You, and of course Luigi with his triumvirate made my day start well!

 

Thomas

[wilfredo]

I had a beautiful M2 that I sold having come to the realization that my film days were pretty much over, but the thought of an M3 is always a pleasant.

 

Cheers!