Leica 35mm Summilux pre-FLE 11874

[RexGig0]

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14 hours ago, Kiwimac said:

I really want the 35 Apo (again!) but funds don’t permit unless I sell my 50 Apo. 
 

Since the 50 Apo and the 35 Apo are probably the only two lenses I’m ever going to need if I’m truly honest about it (not to say I won’t WANT other lenses - but I certainly wouldn’t NEED them!) that seems unwise. 
 

If only the VM Apo Lanthar wasn’t so big!

A “big” lens can serve as an “accessory grip.” 😉 Though the smiley is winking, I am not joking. My first M lens was the Summilux 50 ASPH, and I still love using it, so a tiny compact lens was not intially established as necessary for general M system shooting. Then, my right hand starting aging less than gracefully, anyway, so, a grip-able lens became a helpful feature. (When shooting with a compact lens,  such as my Re-Edition Steel Rim 35, I use my left hand to support and carry the camera/lens.)

My “modern looking” 35 is the Zeiss Distagon 35mm f/1,4 ZM, which is one of those mentioned by jaapv’s reply post. If I correctly recall comparison images posted on-line, the VM APO Lanthar and the Distagon VM are quite close in size. (I am unfamiliar with the 35/2 and 35/2.8 ZM lenses.)

 

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[RexGig0]

On 11/23/2025 at 4:40 AM, Kiwimac said:

I’ll speak with my guy tomorrow and get more info. 
 

It is black, which is a bit of a shame as I’ve no chrome lenses and I feel my Safari would like one! 🤣

I could get a Steelrim reissue I suppose. 

The Re-Edition Steel Rim does look quite nice, on a black chrome body, and should look good on a Safari. Though a “character” lens, when use wide-open, it sharpens nicely when stopped-down. This Re-Edition 35 might complement your 50 APO quite well.

Edited to add: My Re-Edition 35 Steel Rim may well remain the only Leica-brand M lens I have purchased new, rather than pre-owned.

Edited Monday at 12:55 PM by RexGig0

[evikne]

1 hour ago, Kiwimac said:

This one is like mine. 
 

https://classic.leica-camera.com/en/Leica-APO-Summicron-M-50mm-f-2-ASPH-Black-Chrome-11811/11811SH-4744270

One of the most beautiful Leica lenses ever made! I wouldn't part with it unless I absolutely had to.

[Eoin]

2 hours ago, evikne said:

One of the most beautiful Leica lenses ever made! I wouldn't part with it unless I absolutely had to.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...  the €7k premium on top of a €6k standard APO 50 (both 2nd hand) price is an obvious cash source, when one wants both the 35 & 50 APO optical quality without having to spend anything.

I get it... some like these special editions.

[Eoin]

4 hours ago, Kiwimac said:

That said, I watched the Red Dot episode on YT about 35mm lenses and Josh produced a very rare edition of the lens in black and white only plus some other stuff. It was sold within 10 minutes - and I do not imagine it was cheap.

It could have been

11700 Leitz Wetzlar (white & grey scale marking with a white locating dome). €6-€8k
11730 10 Years FLE (white & grey scale marking with a black locating dome). €9k+

[Kiwimac]

5 hours ago, Eoin said:

It could have been

11700 Leitz Wetzlar (white & grey scale marking with a white locating dome). €6-€8k
11730 10 Years FLE (white & grey scale marking with a black locating dome). €9k+

IIRC it had a date for the serial number. Although there were several rare versions and at least two looked similar. 

[Kiwimac]

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5 hours ago, Eoin said:

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...  the €7k premium on top of a €6k standard APO 50 (both 2nd hand) price is an obvious cash source, when one wants both the 35 & 50 APO optical quality without having to spend anything.

I get it... some like these special editions.

I’d agree with you in general; in this instance it cost me less than the standard version would have done!

[Kiwimac]

7 hours ago, evikne said:

One of the most beautiful Leica lenses ever made! I wouldn't part with it unless I absolutely had to.

I agree. There’s a matching 35 f2 reference 11689 which would be nice. 

[Eoin]

34 minutes ago, Kiwimac said:

IIRC it had a date for the serial number. Although there were several rare versions and at least two looked similar. 

So the 11730 10 year anniversary 😉

https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Summilux-M-1.4-35mm-FLE.-ASPH.-11730-10-Jahre-Aspherical/A00471

[Kiwimac]

Yes that looks like it. 
 

Josh showed it off and said it was on their site for sale. 10 minutes later someone said it wasn’t on the site. He investigated and found that was because someone had already bought it!

 

Oh to be a retired dentist….! 🤣