Summicron-M 35/f2 Canadian or German?

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Paul Jenkin

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I've just seen an M6 and Summincron-M up for sale in the classifieds. I have (almost) the same rig. However, the seller states that this is not the Canadian version, this lens was made in Germany. As a newbie to the wonderful RF world of Leica, what's the difference:

(a) in terms of quality / capability and...
(b) in terms of desirability and price

I have the Canadian version and I'm quite happy with it. I have the box, the original lens hood, both front and rear lens caps and the original paperwork. I hasten to add that I'm NOT remotely thinking of selling it - but I am interested in whether I've been sold a 'pup' or whether the lens is actually worth approximately the same as an identical specification model made in Germany...
 
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I thought the prices in that ad were in dollars, which seemed like a real deal. But, when I saw they were Euros! Yikes! That's almost a used M8 in dollars! Sheesh, the euro's climb against the dollar is not a nice thing for us North Americans.
 
Just remember that this lens (also the German version) was designed in Canada, by somebody who later decided to become Canadian :)

I personally have v3 that was only exists made in Canada (AFAIK). Love it, think it's better than v4.

Roland.
 
Yeah there are people out there who will pay more for the "Made In Germany" lenses. Even though some of these are made in Canada, assembled in Germany. Even though the Canadian factory fulfilled all Leica's military contracts - gee, their quality control must have been pretty decent.
 
No difference. But to some people if the lens is engraved "Made in Germany" (in English of course!) then it is more desirable.
 
"Made in Germany" goes better with dark beer while the "made in Canada" is better with Canadian Club. Quality wise they are exactly the same in output. Pricewise you will pay more for the Germany engraving.
 
Crons may be the same

Crons may be the same

And it's true many great lenses were actually designed in Canada. However, sometimes later production in Germany uses different build materials.

The 75/1.4 german lux uses a lighter weight mount flange according to Puts.


pfoto said:
No difference. But to some people if the lens is engraved "Made in Germany" (in English of course!) then it is more desirable.
Click to expand...
 
Did you sell yours because you had the wrong version, Ted ? :D

Dr. Walter Mandler (he came to Midland in the 50s and later became
Canadian citizen) designed the following M lenses:

  • Elmarit 21/2.8
  • Elmarit 28/2.8 (3rd)
  • Summicron 35/2 (1st)
  • Summicron 35/2 (2nd & 3rd)
  • Summicron 35/2 (4th)
  • Summilux 35/1.4
  • Summicron 50/2
  • Summicron 50/2 (4th)
  • Summicron 50/2 (5th)
  • Elcan 50/2
  • Summilux 50/1.4 (2nd)
  • Summilux 50/1.4 (3rd)
  • Noctilux 50/1
  • Summilux 75/1.4 (1st)
  • Summilux 75/1.4 (2nd)
  • Elmar 90/4 (3 elements)
  • Tele-Elmarit 90/2.8 (1st)
  • Tele-Elmarit 90/2.8 (2nd)
  • Elmarit 90/2.8 (2nd)
  • Summicron 90/2 (1st)
  • Summicron 90/2 (2nd)
  • Summicron 90/2 (3rd)
  • Elmar 135/4
  • Tele-Elmar 135/4
  • Elmarit 135/2.8 (1st)
  • Elmarit 135/2.8 (2nd)

See also http://www.phsc.ca/phsc_e-mail/Vol-5/PHSC-E-Mail-V5-2-Dr-Mandler.pdf

Roland.
 
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Hi Roland

Hi Roland

Just pointing out that there are differences in manufacturing in different locations, not that anything is better or worse (and the fact that I read that factoid yesterday ;) )


ferider said:
Did you sell yours because you had the wrong version, Ted ? :D

Dr. Walter Mandler (he came to Midland in the 50s and later became
Canadian citizen) designed the following M lenses:

  • Elmarit 21/2.8
  • Elmarit 28/2.8 (3rd)
  • Summicron 35/2 (1st)
  • Summicron 35/2 (2nd & 3rd)
  • Summicron 35/2 (4th)
  • Summilux 35/1.4
  • Summicron 50/2
  • Summicron 50/2 (4th)
  • Summicron 50/2 (5th)
  • Elcan 50/2
  • Summilux 50/1.4 (2nd)
  • Summilux 50/1.4 (3rd)
  • Noctilux 50/1
  • Summilux 75/1.4 (1st)
  • Summilux 75/1.4 (2nd)
  • Elmar 90/4 (3 elements)
  • Tele-Elmarit 90/2.8 (1st)
  • Tele-Elmarit 90/2.8 (2nd)
  • Elmarit 90/2.8 (2nd)
  • Summicron 90/2 (1st)
  • Summicron 90/2 (2nd)
  • Summicron 90/2 (3rd)
  • Elmar 135/4
  • Tele-Elmar 135/4
  • Elmarit 135/2.8 (1st)
  • Elmarit 135/2.8 (2nd)

See also http://www.phsc.ca/phsc_e-mail/Vol-5/PHSC-E-Mail-V5-2-Dr-Mandler.pdf

Roland.
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Canadian/ German 35mm f/2

Canadian/ German 35mm f/2

Paul Jenkin said:
I've just seen an M6 and Summincron-M up for sale in the classifieds. I have (almost) the same rig. However, the seller states that this is not the Canadian version, this lens was made in Germany. As a newbie to the wonderful RF world of Leica, what's the difference:

(a) in terms of quality / capability and...
(b) in terms of desirability and price

I have the Canadian version and I'm quite happy with it. I have the box, the original lens hood, both front and rear lens caps and the original paperwork. I hasten to add that I'm NOT remotely thinking of selling it - but I am interested in whether I've been sold a 'pup' or whether the lens is actually worth approximately the same as an identical specification model made in Germany...
Click to expand...

Hi Paul,

I use the Canadian version on my Canadian M4 and I am even now astonished on occasions at the beautiful delicate tonal qualities this lens can yield in some of my b&w prints (which I do myself). I love it.

Hope this helps,

Regards, Gary Haigh, Australia
 
no difference is the word on the street, also it seems most of leica's revolutionary lenses were designed in canada anyway. Regardless, dont worry about it and let the ger-mania people have theirs.
 
No Doubt Dr. Mandler was a genius of classic lens design, but actual lens concept on paper design, and manufacturing a lens are two different things (yes designers do work with production engineers to make sure the lens can actually be produced, but once that's established and into production its out of their hands) . Although I've had many Canada lenses and some of those lenses were only offered as Canada made, if I had a choice and price was basically the same I would go with the lens from 'Germany' even if the parts were produced in Canada if only because of the perception of 'German made' and resale here in Japan.

Interestingly I had a Canada 35 Summilux pre-ASPH with aperture blades that on stopping down was not 'round', It needed a cleaning anyway so sent it off to DAG for a CLA. I was surprised to get this response from one of the most well known repair persons in the business.

"and As far as the lens goes- it was made in Canada, quality control was not like it was in Germany. I'll do what ever I can with the problem with the diaphragm blades not stopping down round...

And also said, ... the Canadian 35mm Summicrons & Summilux M Lenses had problems in focus accuracy"
 
They are IDENTICAL. However, the German made is in higher serial # than early Canadian ones. This makes them more valuable, especially those with serial # above 3.6M.
 
I just bought a canadian summicron bundled together with an M6 for €1000. I hope it is as good as any german glass.
 
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