Leica Summicron 35mm 8 elements versions

[jesseB]

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Hi Guys!

 

I'm hoping to buy a chrome 8 element in good condition but was wondering about the versions and their prices. I included some photos of the 8 element I wanna buy but I'm not sure which version it is because it says 'made in Canada' and what a reasonable price is. As far as I know there are three chrome versions:

Chrome M3 version with special finder optics: SAMWO or 11 108
Chrome bayonet M-version: SAWOM or 11 308 
Chrome screw-mount (M39 thread): SAWOO or 11 008

Anny suggestions and advice?

 

Cheers!

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[Jean-Michel]

I have the version with the 'goggles' (and the current on as well). If you plan to use the lens on an M the other than an M3, the version without 'goggles' is the way to go. You can of course use the 'goggled' version on any M and I have used it on everything from and M3, 4, 6, 9 and M-P. The goggles bring up the 50 mm frame, the rangefinder patch is smaller and focusing is somewhat a bit more difficult, but if you wear glasses you get to see the whole frame easily.

The lens is very fine. You will notice a definite increase in contrast as you go from f/2 to f./2.8 – two lenses for the price of one!

Canadian-made is exactly the same as Wetzlar-made. Of course, the lens was designed by Dr Mandler  and his team in Midland, Ontario, Canada; so, even if it says Made in Germany, it is a Canadian lens :-). I gather that many of the 'made in Germany'lenses – 35 mm or others – were simply Canadian-made components merely assembled in Germany.

Search the forum for quite a trove of information on this lens.

[lct]

See https://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/Summicron_(I)_f%3D_3.5_cm_1:2

[easy_action]

Make sure to check the glass very carefully.

I had one with some internal haze and couldn't find anyone confident that they could repair it (including a couple of the well known Leica specialists).

[luigi bertolotti]

Supposed that you search it for using :

- The screw Mount version is a rare collectible… so for use isn't a viable option

- The goggled, of course, has sense mainly if you plan to use onto M3

- The 11308 is an appreciable lens, supposed it is mechanically and optically good; anyway, it's also well maintainable (*) by an expert lab; be aware that the "Wetzlar" version is scrcer than the "Canada" version and, usually, has higher cost (they are anyway identical)

 

(*) I have an old one, Wetzlar, which had a slight wobbling of the front part ; I had it fixed, and cleaned too, for 150 Euros some years ago.

Edited December 5, 2019 by luigi bertolotti

[james.liam]

I really must echo the comment above about the haze as a cautionary tale.
I bought one in cosmetically pristine shape but despite all of DAG’s efforts, significant haze remained. There’s no way of knowing whether it’s fully removable until you try and the gamble cost me a great deal of money and in the end, failed. Too risky given the initial outlay for the samples and would not do so again.