Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/01/17

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Subject: [Leica] FS 35mm Summicron
From: robertmeier at usjet.net (Robert Meier)
Date: Sat Jan 17 15:12:32 2009
References: <20090117005558.PDMF18445.eastrmmtao103.cox.net@eastrmimpo03.cox.net><50574752-F044-4C51-8968-0897EA414D3D@usjet.net><8979E64B1EDA477ABC75864ED34F5487@D1S9FY41><C029DA3B-B043-4E22-A229-7AE02D20C699@usjet.net><D64F863506B54290A141DFAFCDDBF6C1@D1S9FY41> <167579D7-2CC5-4041-95CA-12272DC465C6@usjet.net> <8DBC9D91FE9E47D7AAF8F8956014C5D8@D1S9FY41>

My other Summicron 35 is 2619853, which the list puts as only a year  
newer (thanks Arche), but this one is mint.   I thought the newer one  
is version 3, but now I'm not sure.
Bob

On Jan 17, 2009, at 3:24 PM, Seth Rosner wrote:

> Same series (version), Bob?
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert Meier"  
> <robertmeier@usjet.net>
> To: "Leica Users Group" <lug@leica-users.org>
> Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2009 4:10 PM
> Subject: Re: [Leica] FS 35mm Summicron
>
>
>> Seth,
>>
>> That's a very impressive story, both about how well built a Leica
>> lens is, and how good the Leica New Jersey service is/was.   I should
>> reconsider selling this lens, except I have another one that is newer
>> and is even nicer!
>>
>> Bob
>>
>> On Jan 17, 2009, at 12:37 PM, Seth Rosner wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Bob, the lists I have show that your 35/2 Summicron is from 1972
>>> production that commenced at #2503101 through 2556500. I believe
>>> that Steve's serial numbers refer only to cameras. I bought one of
>>> these lenses shortly after their introduction in 1969 or 70. Was in
>>> my kit for a four-week visit to South and East Africa = 700+
>>> Kodachromes.
>>>
>>> One afternoon in our hotel room in Nairobi after returning from an
>>> 8-day tour of the Serengeti, I put down my M4 w/ 35/2 Summicron
>>> attached to answer the phone. I had forgotten to twist the lens to
>>> full lock. When I picked it up, the lens plunged onto a tile floor,
>>> bending the rear flange. I literally burst into sweat, told my wife
>>> that I had to go for a short walk to calm down. Returned to hotel
>>> room, looked once again at bent flange, shook lens vigorously to
>>> ascertain if there were loose glass elements, diaphragm blades or
>>> other un-Leica-like anomalies,  etc, tried it on the M4 to which it
>>> seemd to mate as usual. Had no back-up 35mm so used it balance of
>>> the trip. On return to NYC, I called Vince Fochtman, the lens guy
>>> at Leitz/Rockleigh whom I knew pretty well, told him the story and
>>> said I was sending him the lens; if there was damage to the glass
>>> or mechanicals that could not be made perfect,  please just return
>>> the lens with a bill and I would sell it and find another; if it
>>> could be made optically and mechanically flawless despite cosmetic
>>> flaws, please repair the lens. A week passed, my lens returned with
>>> a Leitz invoice that had no charge. I called Vince and inquired. He
>>> said the lens was fine, glass clean, clear, not decentered a
>>> micron, just as good as it had come from Wetzlar; he had been able
>>> very gently and little by little to bend the bent- out-of-shape
>>> flange into perfect alignment, didn't need any parts, so no charge!
>>> Talk about robust fortress-like construction! I would like to think
>>> that current production is just as strong. Who knows?
>>>
>>> Enjoy your Summicron!
>>>
>>> Seth
>>>
>>> Seth
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert Meier"
>>> <robertmeier@usjet.net>
>>> To: "Leica Users Group" <lug@leica-users.org>
>>> Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2009 11:19 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [Leica] FS 35mm Summicron
>>>
>>>
>>>> Seth,
>>>>
>>>> Thanks for that confirmation.   Where can I go to check the serial
>>>> numbers of lenses?   All I know about is Stephen Gandy's lists of
>>>> body serial numbers.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> Bob
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Jan 17, 2009, at 7:06 AM, Seth Rosner wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> it is indeed the second version
>>>>>
>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert Meier"
>>>>> <robertmeier@usjet.net>
>>>>> To: "Leica Users Group" <lug@leica-users.org>
>>>>> Sent: Friday, January 16, 2009 8:02 PM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Leica] FS 35mm Summicron
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> I have a 35mm Summicron, pre-aspheric, that shows wear on the
>>>>>> barrel
>>>>>> (no dents or dings) and has mint glass.  With both caps.   I
>>>>>> think it
>>>>>> is 2nd version, but I'm not sure.   The serial number is 2541855,
>>>>>> $750
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> Leica Users Group.
>>>>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more
>>>>>> information
>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Leica Users Group.
>>>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more  
>>>>> information
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Leica Users Group.
>>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more  
>>>> information
>>>
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>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
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>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Leica Users Group.
>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
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Replies: Reply from sethrosner at nycap.rr.com (Seth Rosner) ([Leica] FS 35mm Summicron)
In reply to: Message from kcarney1 at cox.net (Ken Carney) ([Leica] more audiophilia)
Message from robertmeier at usjet.net (Robert Meier) ([Leica] FS 35mm Summicron)
Message from sethrosner at nycap.rr.com (Seth Rosner) ([Leica] FS 35mm Summicron)
Message from robertmeier at usjet.net (Robert Meier) ([Leica] FS 35mm Summicron)
Message from sethrosner at nycap.rr.com (Seth Rosner) ([Leica] FS 35mm Summicron)
Message from robertmeier at usjet.net (Robert Meier) ([Leica] FS 35mm Summicron)
Message from sethrosner at nycap.rr.com (Seth Rosner) ([Leica] FS 35mm Summicron)