Antonio Russell Posted February 6, 2015 Share #1 Posted February 6, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi, I am interested in finding out the different changes to the 50 mm Summicron IV (11819) which was produced between 1979 and 1994 (I think). Does anyone know what changes there were to the design, front markings and production location over its lifetime? For example I think it started in Canada and was later made in Germany, but when? Also, some lenses say Leica Mad in Canada, others just say Leitz, and others say Leica... Which is which? Some have concave focus tab, others convex... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 6, 2015 Posted February 6, 2015 Hi Antonio Russell, Take a look here 50 mm Summicron IV (11819 ) History of changes?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
lct Posted February 6, 2015 Share #2 Posted February 6, 2015 The Summicron 11819 is the smallest 50/2 Leica ever made. It had a convex focus tab ("tiger claw") in the first time, then a concave one and was made mainly in Canada, then in Germany when Leica settled in Solms. The 11819 is black anodized but had a silver version in 1992, the "Colombo", which was used in 1993 for the LHSA 25th Anniversary Special Edition. The 11819 was sold with the plastic vented hood 12538, a cheaper version of the well known metal hood 12585. 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/240782-50-mm-summicron-iv-11819-history-of-changes/?do=findComment&comment=2760664'>More sharing options...
pico Posted February 7, 2015 Share #3 Posted February 7, 2015 If I may, I have a 50mm Summicron (Serial # 23315**), black, no '50' marking, made in 1969 by Leitz Wetzlar, which has no focusing tab and that is the only thing I find at fault. What was Leica thinking? I cannot understand. 1969 is the year of my black M4, too. If any of our readers have the same concern, SK Grimes has a very good add-on tab (according to their literature) and I have ordered one. If anyone wishes I will post a follow-up when I receive it. Many thanks to lct for posting his images. . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted February 7, 2015 Share #4 Posted February 7, 2015 Not everybody appreciated the focus tab of the 50/2 v4 when it appeared in 1979 or so. Some photogs still preferred the sans tab v3 then and the current version has no focus tab either. The 50/2 apo has one though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antonio Russell Posted February 7, 2015 Author Share #5 Posted February 7, 2015 So does anyone have any details info about the version IV, where it was made (dates), when the different changes were made? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted February 7, 2015 Share #6 Posted February 7, 2015 So does anyone have any details info about the version IV, where it was made (dates), when the different changes were made? Only official change was the normal focus tab IINW. Was around 1983 but i'm not sure of that. You will see other dates here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antonio Russell Posted February 7, 2015 Author Share #7 Posted February 7, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thanks. I found the following over at Photo.net: The M 2/50s all had/have the same optics, at least since the start of the bayonet's "second version" (11819 in black, 11825 in chrome) which was issued 1979-1994 (starting with S/N 2915801). Here, there were tabs and detachable hoods. The tabs were first convex (yes, as you say roundedness towards the outside). There then came a new issue of this version in 1982 which started with improved bayonet mechanics (as of 3098901) soon to be implemented with the tab-form being concave (roundedness towards the inside, as in todays wide-angles' tabs). Finally, a third "improvement issue" again with even better improved bayonet form (but with a remaining concave tab-form) started in 1983 (3261401) and last issued in 1994. Those improvements were all mechanical hand-moveability perfections, but the optics remained unchanged. So it seems there were several changes: 1. Focus tab (convex/concave) 2. Improved bayonet mechanics (improved twice) 4. Production location 5. Front letering, 3 versions (Made in Canada, Leitz, Leica) Anyone know precise dates for these? When they started production in Germany for example? When the front lettering changed? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted February 7, 2015 Share #8 Posted February 7, 2015 No idea sorry. If you don't find more details here, you may wish to ask your questions on the Leica Collectors & Historica forum. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
semi-ambivalent Posted February 8, 2015 Share #9 Posted February 8, 2015 3448xxx Wiki says 1987, has: 'Leitz' on 2-notch retaining ring Concave focus tab Yellow 50 'Lens made in Germany' engraved on lens base followed by 'E39' infilled in white. If I had the nerve I'd buy another. s-a Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vdeckerv Posted March 19, 2017 Share #10 Posted March 19, 2017 Thank you for the information, I was surprised to see there was a special LHSA silver edition. Must be very sought after. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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