Camera show "find"

T

Traut

Well-known
Local time
1:50 PM
Joined
Mar 8, 2005
Messages
321
I just returned from an annual camera show in North Miami. It has continued its precipitous decline over the past 5 years. What used to fill an armory and take hours is only a ghost of itself

I was getting increasingly depressed until I spotted a Type 1 90mm chrome Summicron in mint minus / excellent condition.

Thinking it too costly for my wallet's current predicament I inquired anyway. The dealer, a small local guy, said $350. I was very surprised and almost bought it.

I held it a few minutes looking for some flaw and asked again the price - but not negotiating. The dealer said $300 and I realized either I was losing my hearing as my wife accuses or the seller decided to save me the bother and negotiated with himself.

Now my 105 nikkor has a new playmate. It looks great on an M3. I think it was a great deal.

What is the consensus concerning the type 1 90?
 
Amazing find, especially considering how what was once a huge show brimming with Leica dealers from all over the country has turned into a tomb on account of eBay and digital. I was there last year, it was really sad. Got a couple straps for a buck but otherwise there was nothing but junk with prices you could choke on. But I sill wished I could've been there, if for nothing else than to meet up with some of the good guys from photo.net like we did the last couple of years (I don't go near photo.net any more but still stay in touch with some friends from there). But our Florida condo needs major repairs after Wilma and I spent the last 2 weeks with roofers and carpet guys then flew back to Chicago yesterday. It's right about freezing now, miserable and drizzling snow, but this time I'm happy to be out of Florida.

There was an article not that long ago in Viewfinder about that lens, I think it was codenamed SOOZI (or maybe that was the LTM version). Did you get the original fluted shade with it, that increases the value a lot or so I read. According to Herr Puts and the MTF graphs the earlier Summicrons were about the same performance as the last pre-APO, just bigger. And I've got the E55 pre-APO and it's one heckuva good lens. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.
 
Type 1's are very rare -only about 400 made. Is this Canada or Wetzlar? The Wetzlars are a little rarer. The focusing ring should be finely knurled completely around.
 
I posted a couple of shots on your PN thread, Harvey... and I think now that I'm wrong, and that there were some differences between the first and second version of this lens.

In any event, did you get the hood with it?

It is, indeed, a remarkable find. Those lenses sell for a handsome price. Again, congratulations! :)
 
I thought the type 1 had a collapsable hood. The serial number shows as the first version - it is not the one with the removeable hood though. It looks beautiful and for $300 how can you go wrong.

By the way as a relative newcomer to these sites - what's the animosity to photo.net? Thanks HT
 
The one with the collapsible hood is very common. You can tell by the focusing ring. Only the type 1 has a finely knurled ring going completely around the body. Type 2's have a coursly knurled ring composed of a series of fingertip sized valleys with fine lines etched in them interspaced with plain raised ridges.
 
The second version, the one with the drinking cup, was in production from 1955 to 1980. The first version (sometimes called SOOZY) only was made for one year. That's why they tend to be, say, "pressssiousss." :)

If you want to see one, just put a search for SOOZY at the evil-bay.
 
Last edited:
Traut said:
I thought the type 1 had a collapsable hood. The serial number shows as the first version - it is not the one with the removeable hood though. It looks beautiful and for $300 how can you go wrong.

By the way as a relative newcomer to these sites - what's the animosity to photo.net? Thanks HT
Click to expand...


no widespread animosity but i think some have been 'singed' there.

joe
 
If you keep your eyes open you can find some fantastic buys. I bought a fantastic set of Leica gear from an antique shop in Charleston SC eleven years ago. It consisted of a mint 1st version 35 f2, 50 2.8 elmar, 90 2.8 elmarit collapsible 50 summicron, 135 elmar, OK condition LTM sonnar ( 1.5?), M2 E++, 3G mint, viso 2, viso 1, prisms, bellows 2 leica tripods and three heads and a ton of filters and adapters. In total there were eight or nine lenses and an MR4 meter and MC. I bought the total for $1,700. The owner of the shop had been married to a neuro surgeon who died. It was stuck under a counter and I saw the ever ready case. I thought it looked like a leica case and it did. The price on the strap was $1100. I said this was too high and the sales guy started pulling out cases with lenses and stuff. I darn near broke my hand writing the check.

I've fond a few other cherries like this over the years and keep my eyes open all the time.

I tell people that even a blind pig finds an acorn once in a while.


http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=2450
 
$300 in that condition is a steal.

I have that lens and really like it, and also think it's generally underestimated. It does weigh as much as a boat anchor though... :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom