Help Confirm Weight of Leica 35mm Summilux-M Pre-ASPH Titanium

[groovytwo]

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Hi everyone,

I recently purchased a Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M pre-ASPH lens from Facebook Marketplace. According to the Leica Wiki, it was produced in 1992 and is supposed to be the titanium version.

From what I’ve read (e.g., on Dan Kerin Photography), the regular Summilux weighs 245g. If mine is titanium, I assume it should weigh more, but my lens weighs 223g, which seems lighter than expected.

I’m planning to post pictures after I develop some test rolls, but in the meantime, can anyone confirm the weight of the titanium version or provide tips to verify its authenticity?

Thanks for your help!

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[Erato]

1 hour ago, groovytwo said:

lens weighs 223g

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Same here.

 

 

 

 

[groovytwo]

Awesome! Thank you so much for confirming 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[groovytwo]

Ps. Also wanted to mention - that’s a classy shot 👌

[pippy]

8 hours ago, groovytwo said:

...I recently purchased a Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M pre-ASPH lens...If mine is titanium, I assume it should weigh more, but my lens weighs 223g, which seems lighter than expected...

Firstly welcome to the Forum! Secondly congratulations of having acquired a very nice lens. Have fun with it!

As far as 'titanium' is concerned however; you are aware that the body of the lens isn't titanium? It is a brass body which has been given a microscopic titanium coating on the exterior surfaces.

I'm not sure where Mr. Kerin gets his weight of 245g for the 'regular version' of the v2. I don't have my digi-scales to hand at the mo' but from memory when I weighed my 'regular' (i.e. black-chrome over aluminium) 1974 v2 it weighed in at aound 192g without caps / hood which, considering the different metals used in our respective lens' construction, would sound about correct.

Philip.

EDIT : It might well be that Mr. Kerin is going by the published weight of the v1 (a.k.a. 'Steel-Rim') 35 Summilux - which, like your Titan, was made from brass - rather than that of the v2 which is the version used as the basis for your lens. Here is the link to Mr. Rockwell's page on the v1 and v2 (1960 - 1995) Summilux lenses. In it he quotes figures of 245g for the v1 and 184g (as weighed) or 200g (as specified by Leica) for the v2;

https://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/35mm-f14.htm

Edited November 26, 2024 by pippy

[groovytwo]

Thank you, Philip, for the warm welcome and for taking the time to explain! I didn’t realize the titanium version is actually brass with a titanium coating—that makes a lot more sense.

I’ll take a look at the link you shared too!

Adam