A mu numbered lens

[readypat]

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Hello

my question is what is an "mun" numbered sm lens? 

Thank you

[jerzy]

Never heard. Could it be that this is result of spelling correction and in reality it shoul read " unnumbered"?

[pico]

Yes, early Elmar 50mm f/3.5 SM lenses were unnumbered.

[readypat]

Thanks pico, you are correct on the type of lens.

[luigi bertolotti]

Me too think is a mispelling or typo.... anyway, "unnumbered" is a lens that bears no serial number : the fixed lenses of the first Leicas hadn't a serial number (obviously, the s/n of the body identified all the camera) ; then interchangable lenses did appear and, after some time, Leitz started to give a serial numbers to lenses , in 1931/32 around ; the numbering started with numbers in the 80.000 range... but lenses with serial numbers of 5 digits are rather rare (I remember to have seen Hektors 5cm, Hektors 7,3 cm.... ) : as I said, this happened some time after the intro of interchangable lenses : before you had lenses without serial number which are, I think, less rare than the "5 digits" ones (I have an unnumbered Elmar 9 cm "fat"), and of course are made in similar years (1930/31).

 

Before again (1930) , there had been lenses bearing a number, but it wasn't exactly a serial number of the lens in itself, but a "compatibility number" which identified a lens factory-matched with a certain body of Leica I model C (a model which hadn't yet a standardized flange distance) : the lenses were engraved with the last 3 digits of the body (initially, with the full 5 digits of the body... these are ultrarare collectibles , and even a "3 digits" set of 2-3 lenses with matching body is a very rare and highly valued combo) ; so you can see 2-3 lenses which bear the same number.

 

The decision to put serial number on lenses was related with the announcement of the Leica I with standard mount (1931) and soon after the announcement of Leica II (standard mount and rangefinder) : any lens can match any Leica body, so the lenses started to have a "life" of their own indipendent from bodies.... a story that still endures (I have no problem to mount my 129.006 Hektor on my M 240..  )

.

[Pecole]

Me too think is a mispelling or typo.... anyway, "unnumbered" is a lens that bears no serial number : the fixed lenses of the first Leicas hadn't a serial number (obviously, the s/n of the body identified all the camera) ; then interchangable lenses did appear and, after some time, Leitz started to give a serial numbers to lenses , in 1931/32 around ; the numbering started with numbers in the 80.000 range... but lenses with serial numbers of 5 digits are rather rare (I remember to have seen Hektors 5cm, Hektors 7,3 cm.... ) : as I said, this happened some time after the intro of interchangable lenses : before you had lenses without serial number which are, I think, less rare than the "5 digits" ones (I have an unnumbered Elmar 9 cm "fat"), and of course are made in similar years (1930/31).

 

Before again (1930) , there had been lenses bearing a number, but it wasn't exactly a serial number of the lens in itself, but a "compatibility number" which identified a lens factory-matched with a certain body of Leica I model C (a model which hadn't yet a standardized flange distance) : the lenses were engraved with the last 3 digits of the body (initially, with the full 5 digits of the body... these are ultrarare collectibles , and even a "3 digits" set of 2-3 lenses with matching body is a very rare and highly valued combo) ; so you can see 2-3 lenses which bear the same number.

 

The decision to put serial number on lenses was related with the announcement of the Leica I with standard mount (1931) and soon after the announcement of Leica II (standard mount and rangefinder) : any lens can match any Leica body, so the lenses started to have a "life" of their own indipendent from bodies.... a story that still endures (I have no problem to mount my 129.006 Hektor on my M 240..  )

 

Excellent and detailed comment, Luigi. As usual...

About the "3-digits" lenses matching Leica I body, a good example is the body 52591 and the 3 Elmar lenses engraved "591" I illustrate in my recent thread "Complete sets". This valuable set is now - as far as I know - in the hands of the couple who probably is the best specialist of Leica I :

Angela and Henning von Einem (they have published the famous and extraordinarily study "Die 10 Varianten der klassischen Leica IA mit Elmar 50 MM").

.

[luigi bertolotti]

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Excellent and detailed comment, Luigi. As usual...

About the "3-digits" lenses matching Leica I body, a good example is the body 52591 and the 3 Elmar lenses engraved "591" I illustrate in my recent thread "Complete sets". This valuable set is now - as far as I know - in the hands of the couple who probably is the best specialist of Leica I :

Angela and Henning von Einem (they have published the famous and extraordinarily study "Die 10 Varianten der klassischen Leica IA mit Elmar 50 MM").

.

 

Hey Pecole... I remember that time ago (2 years ?) you posted the picture of a Leica I set with the WHOLE 5 digits number on the lenses (or was it  a single lens ? Don't remember) : I am rather sure because it was the first time I saw such an item (many authors do quote them, but with no picture...) , ar you so smart and kind to find it again ?