I have a limited production 35mm Summilux for sale. The lens is the limited production version (max.1000) which ceased production in 1994, when the new version labelled "Asph" came out. It has two hand grinded aspherical elements that were too expensive to produce in such masses. On the lens it is labelled "Aspherical" and is definately that model. It comes with original box, case, lens hood. It is in optically mint condition, with paint wear marks (not scratches) around the filter mount from mounting and dismounting of the lens hood. Otherwise it is mint.

I just purchased this lens on a great deal with a body, by trading all my Nikon equipment. I am not a collector, so I would like to do a trade for two lenses. The information I have gathered sufggests a slight performance superiority with the original version (for sale), but the differences would be only minimal if noticed. So it is pointless me using such a lens, when a collector could appreciate it's collectable value more, and I can appreciate another lenses performance.

I am wanting to trade this lens for the equivelent newer version "Asph" and another lens, preferably a Noctilux, or a Summilux 75 (newer version with built in hood)....will maybe consider a Summicron APO "Asph" or another wide angle lens- only newer versions considered.

The lens will be posted immediately with insurance as soon as the trade lenses (two) have been recieved.

Please email me if there are any queries.

Kristian Dowling

-- Kronik (leicashot@hotmail.com), January 11, 2002

Answers

According to Leica (Leica meeting during Photokina 1998) the 2000 ex. announced have been manufactured.

-- Lucien (Lucien_vd@yahoo.fr), January 11, 2002.

thanks for that. I have heard that too, but more reliable sources state that the intended production number of 2000 was never met. I would say that the approximate number is between 800-2000. Nuff said.

-- Kronik (leicashot@hotmail.com), January 11, 2002.

Put it on eBay for the best exposure to people who would be interested.

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), January 11, 2002.

Kronik:

efore you list it on eBay (an excellent suggestion, BTW) how much would you want for it on a straight-up cash deal?

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), January 11, 2002.

I guess I would want US$4000 to pay for a new Summilux 35 and 75 grey stock plus import taxes.

-- Kronik (leicashot@hotmail.com), January 11, 2002.

Just for your information: list price (in Germany) for this lens in 1991 was about $ 2,600.00.

Best wishes

-- K. G. Wolf (k.g.wolf@qweb.de), January 11, 2002.

There is one for sale on EBAY now for under $2500 if I remember correctly!.............................

-- Muhammad Chishty (applemac97@aol.com), January 11, 2002.

Muhammad. I saw tha one too on eBay. It is a German dealer (?) who lists a "Buy it Now" price as $ 2350 USD. The item appears to be the real thing: itsays "aspherical" on the front ring and SN 3459xxx. This is significantly less than the going price (3500-4000)for this lens, but the guy has some negative feedback.

-- Eliot (erosen@lij.edu), January 11, 2002.