1939 Summitar

raid

Dad Photographer
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Hi All,
I am about to buy a 1938/1939 Summitar for about $400. Is this OK? The lens looks OK based on the posted pics. It may come with a IIIc,

Advise ,,,


Thanks.
 
More specific: My current Summitar is a 1950 version with 6 aperture blades. The one I may buy is a 1938 (first year) production lens with 10 blades and round iris.
 
Summitar prices are all over the place depending on condition. ~$450 at the upper end for near mint/CLA'd, ~$150 for a scratched/hazy but usable lens. Relatively nice but user lenses seems to be about ~$300.

Looking at sales on ebay, Summitars often sell with a IIc or IIIc. Interestingly, the price for those kits is often similar to the Summitar alone.
 
Brian: Very rarely do I see a 1938 version Summitar for sale. Would you buy it? Based on your information, paying $400 for a lens without warranty is too much then.

Yes, the sellers seem to sell the cameras, and they add the lens with it.
 
if it comes with a IIIc , wow thats a great price
but what is the condition of lens and body ????

Tamarkin has four right now for sale, just sent you the info
you can ask Dan as to how many blades, round or hex etc
his prices range from $295.00 to $429.00... condition from VG to EXC++ , 1946.to 1951

Replied back to your PM... 😉
 
Hi Raid: I purchased a 1939 Summitar from a member here a couple of years ago. It's a wonderful lens, and has pristine glass and only modest signs of wear on the barrell. There are quite a few photos on my flickr taken whith this lens (including all of the photos in the "Foglandia" album). I think $400 may be a little high for the lens alone, but if it comes with a IIIc and both are in great shape, then that may be a good deal.
 
I agree with everything Steve said. 🙂

One thing to keep in mind - the early Summitars were not coated (though they like Summars, the buyer may have sent them back to be coated). The higher price Summitars from what I've seen have been the 10 blade/coated versions. Coating began around 1946 and the lens went back to the 6 blade aperture around 1950.
 
I purchased a very clean E+ or better with pristine glass coated 1949 from a member for less than that. It locks in the extended position firmly unlike many. Many will collapse when you adjust the aperture because they're so worn.

I just purchased a CL and would consider trading it for a 40 Nokton or 40 summicron or M Rokkor.
 
Thank you all. I will take Helen's advice and contact Tamsrkin. Better be safe than be sorry in the end.

Thanks again.
 
Hi Raid: I purchased a 1939 Summitar from a member here a couple of years ago. It's a wonderful lens, and has pristine glass and only modest signs of wear on the barrell. There are quite a few photos on my flickr taken whith this lens (including all of the photos in the "Foglandia" album). I think $400 may be a little high for the lens alone, but if it comes with a IIIc and both are in great shape, then that may be a good deal.

Hi Steve,
The one I have seen offered is on a IIIc, and not much is said about the lens. I was/am tempted by its age.
 
if it comes with a IIIc , wow thats a great price
but what is the condition of lens and body ????

Tamarkin has four right now for sale, just sent you the info
you can ask Dan as to how many blades, round or hex etc
his prices range from $295.00 to $429.00... condition from VG to EXC++ , 1946.to 1951

Replied back to your PM... 😉

Hi Helen,
Yes, the price would be great if camera and lens turn out to be clean. He sells them AS IS, I think. They may be OK, but there are no guarantees. It is one of these "I am not a camera expert" ads, which basically are used to cover against any faults found.
 
Update: the advertised Summitar now shows itself as a Summar, once I asked for i ages showing the lens better. It seems to have been an honest mistake.
 
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