[Leica] Leica Nomenclature / Source

[Leikon35@aol.com]

 In a message dated 98-06-05 18:23:02 EDT, Mark Steinberg asked:
 here's a stupid question from a newbie:
====================================================
 It's not a stupid question Mark - If you don't ask, you won't know. 
 Ernst Leitz used the name Summar for some of their microscope
 lenses that they made many years before the 1st production of
 the Leica camera in 1925.  It was then used to designate the
 various speeds of the Leica lenses:
 Summar for the early Leica F:2 (1932 - 1940)
 Summitar  for 50/2  (mid period 1939 - 1955)
 Summarit for the 50/1.5  (1949 - 1960)
 Summicron for  their later F:2 lenses
 Summaron for the 28 & 35 mm
 Summilux for the F:1.4
 Elmarit usually for the later F:2.8

 APO is a generic contraction for apochromatic, which means all
 3 primary colors will be focused on the same plane, usually used 
 on the longer focal length lenses.  Leica says that they have
 the term APO  registered as a Leica trademark, but most of the
 knowledgable LUGgers know that they legally cannot do this.
 Finally "Elmar" is a name derived from Ernst Leitz & Max Berak.

 Marvin Moss
==================================================
In a message dated 98-06-05 18:23:02 EDT, Mark Steinberg asked:
<< 
 here's a stupid question from a newbie:
 does anyone know what the genesis of these names or why:
  Summicron
  Summaron
  Summilux
  Elmarit
  i asked the German Gentleman from Leica at the KSP mini-Photokina
  and he didn't know....
  and what does "APO" mean ?
  not that it really matters, but i am quite interested.
 
 many thanks,
 
 m