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Canada or Germany?


JLV

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Hi all,

 

Is there a quality difference and price (second hand market) between the canadian summicron (35/2 in particular ) and the wetzlar one.

 

Thanks for you comments

All the best

Jean-Luc

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Hi all,

 

Is there a quality difference and price (second hand market) between the canadian summicron (35/2 in particular ) and the wetzlar one.

 

Thanks for you comments

All the best

Jean-Luc

 

Jean-Luc,

 

There was absolutely no difference in quality between the Midland or Wetzlar lenses. As a mater of fact, some lenses were produced exclusively in Midland (the original f/1 50mm Noctilux comes to mind...). As to price difference, which Summicron 35mm version are you referring to? The lens has been available since 1958 and only the latest ASPH version is being made exclusively in Germany.

 

Best,

 

Jan

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Greetings-

 

This is always an interesting question. I have had and have several Canadian lenses and have always been pleased with them. I once heard that the Canadian if anything may be better because that's where lenses for the military were made.

 

One thing, it's been many years since lenses were made in Canada. I think perhaps the late 1980's. So, it's possible a newer lens from Germany has performance revisions. Check the serial numbers.

 

Best,

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Are you thinking of the V.4 (last non-ASPH) Summicron? There is no quality difference between Canadian and German production. Collectors, being a perverse lot, would probably pay more for Ernst Leitz Wetzlar than for Ernst Leitz Canada, simply because of rarity. And then there are of course the 1983 'Jubilee' 70th anniversary engraved specimens, of which there are 2000---made in Canada ...

 

But get this: The lenses from Midland Ontario were made to the same quality standards as those from Wetzlar in Hessen.

 

The old man from the Age of Reason

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There may be differences in coatings. That said, I have two canadians and one german leitz lens. The german lens is warmer in color, the canadaians identical and cooler.

 

Lenses of the same generation had identical designs and coatings. If you were to compare for instance a Canadian lens made in the 1960's to a German lens made in the 70's, there may be differences in coatings. This however, is not country of origin related but, depends on the year of production - there were obviously advances in coating technology.

 

During the 1960's and 1970' Leitz lenses can be found with brownish or blueish coatings - this depends on the lens, not on country of manufacture.

 

Simply put - a lens made in 1970 will have the same coating whether made in Canada or Germany. Same will apply to identical lenses made in 1960 or 1980......

 

Best,

 

Jan

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Thank you very much to all of you.

 

I was referring to the last version of the cron 35/2 non asph.

I can have one in mint condition for 750euros plus 150 for coding.

 

All the best

Jean-Luc from south of France

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Thank you very much to all of you.

 

I was referring to the last version of the cron 35/2 non asph.

I can have one in mint condition for 750euros plus 150 for coding.

 

All the best

Jean-Luc from south of France

 

The lens price sounds Ok. The coding price is too high. YOu can remove the flange, and mail your lens for coding for probably under 50 euros?

( know here (in the US) coding is about $30 ..... not by Leica, but by aftermarket providers.

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Thanks Rafaël, I will check that.

All the best

 

Here;

 

John is well respected and can do the coding ... $25-$30

Even with shipping, it still will probably be faster than Leica

 

John Milich

Product & Design jm@milich.com

Building 280

Room 618

Brooklyn Navy Yard

63 Flushing Avenue Unit 322

Brooklyn New York 11205

 

John is a good guy, and a friend.

Rafael

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I add my vote to Rafael's recommendation of John Milich. He has coded all my Leica lenses and LTM to M mount adapters. In the case of the 35mm Summicron, you will have to remove the lens mount and ship it alone, without the lens. Once back from John's coding, simply re-attach it.

 

When you remove the bayonet mount, put the screws back into their respective holes; less chance of losing them and will keep the focusing mount secure as well.

 

I also have the version IV 35mm 'cron, it is a superb lens - mine happens to be Wetzlar production. The Canadian version, as noted above, is identical.

 

Best,

 

Jan

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Thanks to all.

Does this man has a Shop in NY?

There's a chance that I will spend some time there this summer.

I love this city so much.

 

Jean-Luc

 

Hi,

No he does not have a shop (storefront). Shipping the removed flange is probably the best way.

What I have done is put a small sandwich baggie over the removed flange lens, securing it over the lens with a rubber band. I put the little screws folded into a piece of tape, and stick that in the baggie .

Then I put the covered lens on a shelf. so it is undisturbed until the flange returns.

 

Communicate with John about painting the coding in. There are differences in paint types.

 

When you ship the lens let him know what lens exactly the flange is from. You can write that on the baggie with a sharpie

 

 

 

Rafael

 

sorry for the delay in responding

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