I have an 8-element 35/2 Summicron (serial #16871**) that I purchased for a pretty good price about a year ago ($400, if anyone's asking). I believe this is a first year production lens.

I was doodling with it earlier tonight, and I noticed a small tiny screw at the very edge of the lens barrel closest to the bayonet. I compared it with my 21/4 SA (and according to answers from a question I asked a week earlier, the 21/4 SA is a screwthread lens with a factory M adaptor). My 35/2 Summicron has the same adaptor, suggesting this lens I have is an original screwmount Summicron with a factory M adaptor.

I was wondering if anyone can give me additional info about the lens, production numbers, rarity etc. To me it's a user lens, in about exc/exc- condition. I love this lens as a user, but if it's worth something I don't mind getting rid of it for another user summicron and use the extra cash for a second M2 or something.

Or I have a legitimate excuse to look for an LTM leica specifically to mount this lens on without the M adaptor ;-)

Or I could continue using it happily with my M2, and retain all bragging rights, assuming of course this is a pretty rare lens.

Thanks in advance for any info you guys can throw in.

-- Badris (badris@mac.com), March 03, 2002

Answers

Lager says the lens with adapter is "occasionally encountered". I have never seen a specific rarity attached to it, nor have I seen a specific premium attached to it. I have not even seen production numbers. Hove lists the 8-element chrome at $900, and I have seen the lens with adapter often sell for double that amount.

The lens was also produced in screw mount without adapter, but in very small quantities - I think around 1,000 pieces. These are much more rare and do command a specific premium. However, the idea of removing the adapter and selling it as a rare screw mount is a flim- flam very well-known among collectors - it can be spotted easily by 1) the hole left in the mount where the screw used to be, and 2) the M version focuses to .7 meter, while a true screw mount focuses to 1 meter.

Overall the lens with adapter is not really a rarity commanding high value. I suggest you just enjoy the lens knowing it's a little off center from the garden variety 8-element 35.

-- Ken Shipman (kennyshipman@aol.com), March 03, 2002.

I've seen these lenses with and without the grub screw at the base to remove the 'adaptor.' I think this has more to do with the 'eyes' than it does with screwmount. If you do remove the adaptor, it's not a true screwmount. Something about the cams doesn't line up at closer focusing distances. I think this was a way for Leitz to produce the same lens off the production line and then attach eyes for an M3 or the plain base for the M2. Either way, they stopped doing this after a while because you don't see the small screw on the later chrome Summicrons and Summarons. True screwmount lenses will focus to 1m, and have a slightly different base as well. Enjoy the lens on the M2, you got a great lens for a great price!

-- Carlin (carlinm@abac.com), March 03, 2002.