Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/12/17
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]David- Thanks for such comprehensive help! /Jason > From: "David Kieltyka" <daverk@email.msn.com> > Reply-To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us > Date: Sun, 17 Dec 2000 20:08:13 -0500 > To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us> > Subject: [Leica] Re: Special Leica lenses > > Jason Carroll <jacebc@mac.com> wrote: > >> I received several recommendations on the 35mm Summicron lens for >> a Leica M2, and I am investigating my options. I have been >> searching on eBay, but it's difficult to tell when a particular >> lens was made. I am also confused on the benefits of the 3rd or >> 4th generations. I found one serial #231XXXX. Any opinions? > > Jason, here's the breakdown on the pre-ASPH 35 Summicrons: > > Version 1 -- 1958-1969 -- 8 elements, 6 groups -- serial #s 1640000-2316000 > Version 2 -- 1969-1970 -- 6 elements, 4 groups -- serial #s 2316001-2461000 > Version 3 -- 1970-1979 -- 6 elements, 4 groups -- serial #s 2461001-2874000 > Version 4 -- 1979-1997 -- 7 elements, 5 groups -- serial #s 2970000-3731200 > > This info comes from the Sartorius book on Leica lenses. All serial numbers > are approximate. Versions 2 and 3 are optically identical...only the lens > body was modified. I guess the lens you've found could be a version 1 or 2. > I've used a version 4 and can tell you it was sharper (well, had greater > contrast anyway) in the corners at full aperture than my version 1. Beyond > that I didn't see any difference. Every 35 'cron I've ever used has > delivered great images (given the modest capabilities of the person holding > the camera) so I don't think you can go wrong with any of 'em. > > -Dave- > > >