Thanks for the responses to my earlier post. I'm pretty certain I have decideed to go with a 35mm pre asph summilux. I started looking for some specific information, but havent been able to find it-- During the tremendously long production run of this lens, were chrome ones produced all the way through? Or did they stop being produced at some point, and if that is the case, when? Also, anyone have one for sale? Thanks,

-- Marke Gilbert (Bohdi137@aol.com), January 30, 2002

Answers

Marke

The earliest 35/1.4 Summiluxes were chrome w/ E41 filter size (both M2 and M3 versions). These were only made in '60 or '61. They are very rare collectors items, especially the M2 version. But optically not as good as the later black lenses, which had a slightly different barrel. The later lenses may have had improved coatings or the formula may have been changed, its not known, but the earliest lenses showed reduced contrast and a greater tendency to flare.

For many years, the 35/1.4 Slux was offered only in black, then in the 90s, some titanium versions were made. This lens has a very long production run (40 yrs), but was still not made in very large numbers.

Expected prices for nice lens (E++ w/ perfect glass): early chrome ('60-'61 only) M2 version about $ 2000 give or take (special lenshood called Ollux, rare, costs about $ 300)

early chrome (M3 version w/ eyes): $ 1500 or so (special lens hood Ollux, as above)

regular black lens w/ hood and caps: about $ 900-1000 or so late titanium version: ? $ 1200 or so

Unless you are a collector, stick with the pre-ASPH black lens, which you can buy from a dealer (or eBay, if you feel lucky).

It's a very good lens, by F/4 about equal to the 35/2 of the same vintage. Neutral color rendition. Has tendency to flare wide open when shooting into the light. This one was a favorite of many photojournalists and other pros.

-- Eliot (erosen@lij.edu), January 30, 2002.

The chrome stopped in 1961 but the E41 mount continued until 1966. Serial number 2166701 and up are the new mount with no filter threads.

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), January 30, 2002.

I have a late version 35/1.4 pre-ASPH and consider it to be a wonderful lens, even when shooting at f1.4. As far as flare when shooting into the light, maybe so, but then so does my new Summicron 28/2.0 ASPH, although to a lesser degree. These 35/1.4 were made in small numbers, (about 2,000 per year) so you probably will have to hunt around for one. I have no plans on upgrading to the current 35/1.4 ASPH as the older lens works very well.

-- Steve LeHuray (steve@icommag.com), January 31, 2002.

John. Yes. The barrel design of the earlier chrome lenses was slightly different from the black lenses. Thus, the front rim of the chrome lens was unusually thick, so it does not fit the same hood or cap as the black lens. That's why the original lenshood (Ollux) and front cap of the chrome Summilux are virtually impossible to find. The only lenscap that will fit on my 35/1.4 chrome Summilux is the chrome metal 50/1.5 Summarit cap fitted on top of an E41 filter. The Summarit cap does not go on the lens rim. Just one of those well known Leica quirks.

-- Eliot (erosen@lij.edu), January 31, 2002.