Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/01/30
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I received this from Leica USA. If you have additional questions: 1) This is everything I know about this at present. 2) I don't read the LUG regularly, so please use my e-mail address. >Sales Update >To: Leica Photographic Division Dealers >From: Leica USA >Date: January 29, 2003 >Re: Summicron – M 50mm F2.0 “50 Year Summicron > >I am very pleased to announce the introduction of M 50mm f2.0 50 Year >Summicron. > >After 50 years of this history-making breakthrough, we would like to pay >our homage to this famous construction and offer a special series of 1000 >pieces “50 Year Summicron” 50mm f/2 lenses. > >The anniversary version of the LEICA SUMMICRON-M 50 mm f2.0 comes in an >exclusive box with an embossed print of the technical lens and is supplied >with a clip-on type metal hood in classic design, designed as protection >against stray light as well as possible mechanical damages. The lens is >delivered with a metal lens cap with an embossing of the Leica logo, but a >plastic lens with reversed lens hood is also provided. > >The anniversary lenses are all delivered with a certificate hand-signed by >both Leica corporate executives Mr. Cohn and Mr. Coenen. > >HISTORY: >Back in the mid-twenties, the standard aperture for a 50 mm lens was 3,5. >It was only in 1933 that a team of optic designers lead by Max Berek could >present a lens twice as fast as the old standard: the Summar 50 mm f/2. >The optical performance of this kind of lens was enhanced with the launch >of the Summitar 50mm f/2 in 1939, but it was not until 1953 that Leitz >could present the unanimously acclaimed first modern lens: > >The Summicron 50 mm f/2. This breakthrough in optical performance was >possible thanks to progress in the optical calculation, but also thanks to >major progress in the field of glass making: the “Schwerkron” Glass which >could boast a uniquely high refraction index. The name Summicron was >chosen as tribute to this kind of glass, later known as LaK9. The >Summicron construction itself has also a rich history and the actual >version of this high performance lens is the forth generation and the >result of Leica´s striving to provide a high contrast lens providing >equally excellent results at all apertures. > >Cat# 11615 >Description Leica “50 Year Summicron 50mm f/2 >List $1,600.00 Delivery to retailers during Feb, 2003. - -- - regards, Henry Posner Director of Sales and Training B&H Photo-Video, and Pro-Audio Inc. http://www.bhphotovideo.com - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html