Similar vein of previous question: I remember a number located in the U shaped depression of the flange (part of the mechanism to lock lens in place). This was on a chrome Summicron 50/2 and I saw it on several other lenses at the time. Usually it was an 8, I don't remember other numbers. Any of you familiar with numbers at that location? Thanks!

-- Hans Berkhout (berkhout@cadvision.com), June 29, 2001

Answers

Hans,

While I was looking up information from my numerous books on the subject of those strange numbers I found the following from Andrew Matheson's "The Leica / Leicaflex Way" from 1972: "Earlier Leica lenses either have the actual focal length scratched on the inner lens barrel... or a code letter or number stamped into the underside of the focusing lever on certain standard lenses."

This would seem to be the case for your example of a mark on an old 50mm Summicron with a single number close to the focusing lever / lock.

Additional information from Erwin Puts' new Leica lens book, listing the codes for the older lenses before the two digit system as commented on in the previous thread, states the following: Code Number: 2 = 50.1mm, 3 = 50.4mm, 4 = 50.7mm, 5 = 51.0mm, 6 = 51.3mm, 7 = 51.6mm and your example of 8 = 51.9mm.

I hope this helps.

-- Al Smith (smith58@msn.com), June 30, 2001.