1958 summaron 35mm

[PeteC]

Hi,

Im new to ‘vintage’ lenses and I have a 1958 summaron (1629540) which has been converted to an M mount from a screw mount. I also believe it to be a repaint but again I’m not certain and would like some advice if it could be black on chrome If a repaint it seems well done but also - for instance - the line is missing from the ‘f’ and the black is dull in some areas and polished on the band close to the top. Any insight would be appreciated as I can find that 3000 summarons were produced that year but no info on finish.

 

[bluesun267]

I can't speak to the repaint, but this looks like one of the early "convertible" Summaron's. It's essentially a screw mount lens with .7m close focus, with 'integral' M adapter (removed by loosening the tiny set screw).
I understand they only made them this way for the first year, then went to 2 separate versions, either screw mount only (w/ 1m close focus) or M-mount only (.7m close focus).
You're lucky to have this lens, it's sort of a rarity, and a great lens all around.

 

[splitimageview]

a most deslrable Summaron! The dual mount close focus and a repaint bonus.

 

[Rob-F]

Hi,

Im new to ‘vintage’ lenses and I have a 1958 summaron (1629540) which has been converted to an M mount from a screw mount. I also believe it to be a repaint but again I’m not certain and would like some advice if it could be black on chrome If a repaint it seems well done but also - for instance - the line is missing from the ‘f’ and the black is dull in some areas and polished on the band close to the top. Any insight would be appreciated as I can find that 3000 summarons were produced that year but no info on finish.

I doubt if the paint was applied directly over chrome, because if it had been, you would almost certainly see areas of chrome showing. Paint simply doesn't stick to chrome. A good repaint of a chrome body or lens calls for stripping the chrome off, down to brass, before repainting; and I'd say it is certainly possible this could have been done to your Summaron.

I'm not aware of the Summaron having been issued in black paint from the factory. I'm glad you posted your question to Jim's section. I'm looking forward to reading what he'll have to say about this. If it is an original factory black paint, you may be able to trade it for an M10 or a Noctilux!

 

[PeteC]

Thanks All, I really appreciate your input.

It will be interesting to see what we can find out. Because the line on the ‘f in feet’ was missed off I’ve always assumed it was a repaint but elsewhere the quality of the ‘repaint’ was so good - hence posting this. Also the m mount part looks new I was assuming that was done recently.

Anyway the optics are in such good condition and performs so well - it’s a delight to use.

 

[splitimageview]

The bayonet is original, from the factory, it is removable via the set screw, then you have an M39 screw mount.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Looks like a real one to me, compare it with an original black 8 element Summicron 35mm. Black 8 element Summicrons 35mm are not painted, but anodized black. Anodizing is a kind of chemical blackening of aluminium.

Erik.

 

[Rob-F]

Looks like a real one to me, compare it with an original black 8 element Summicron 35mm. Black 8 element Summicrons 35mm are not painted, but anodized black. Anodizing is a kind of chemical blackening of aluminium.

Erik.

Leica calls it "black chrome." I am not so sure it's really chrome. It looks to be the same as the finish on my Calphalon pots and pans, black anodizing over aluminum. And the Calphalon finish wears off, just like the "black Chrome" can. With that said, I like the Leica black chrome a lot. It seems business-like, yet nice looking.

 

[Doug]

Google search; "Black chrome is usually electroplated over bright nickel or dull nickel in the same manner as decorative chrome. ... Newer black chrome plating processes have been developed from a trivalent chrome process. The black color is achieved by alloying other metals with the chromium deposit."

 

[Erik van Straten]

The outer metal parts of the 35mm f/2.8 Summaron lens are made from aluminium, just like the 8 elements Summicron. As far as I know these lenses have been blackened with some acid, similar to Birchwood Casey's "Aluminium Black". I am not a metallurgical specialist, but aluminum could not be painted as well as brass AFAIK. The front ring however seems to be painted. I've never seen a black Summaron before, so I cannot compare these pictures of the lens.

Erik.