Candian 35mm f2 Cron dates

[Jim Watts]

A number of 35mm f/2 Summicron users on the R-D1 Forum : http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3936 &
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4542&page=2
have had front focus problems with certain vintages of this lens on the R-D1, although they work fine on our Leica's. It seems to be due to a different shape or angle of the cam failing to meet exactly with the R-D1's cam follower. Most Cron's with the problem so far are Canadian 1975 - 1985 or a bit later.

Does anyone have a list of 35mm f/2 Summicron from Midland, Ontario and elsewhere against Serial numbers? This would help us draw up a compatibility list, thanks.

 

[rover]

1979 to 97?

http://www.kbcamera.com/summicron35mm.htm

 

[Jim Watts]

Rover,
Thanks, that helps a little and shows that both my 1975 type 3 (1969 - 1979) and others type 4 (1979 - 1997) both give the problems. Is it possible to narrow the dates further.

 

[rover]

Poke around in here
http://www.nemeng.com/leica/index.shtml

and here
http://www.imx.nl/

You may find some stuff.

 

[Huck Finn]

Jim, Erwin Puts identifies all of the pre-ASPH 35 Summicrons as Midland lenses from 1958 on. He does not specify whether they were only Midland designs or whether they were also produced exclusively in Midland. In some other cases, he notes when this split occurred, so I would assume that they were all Midland production. However, he also notes in his history section that production was split between Midland & Wetzlar in some cases. Do you have any information on whether any of these lenses came out of Wetzlar production lines?

Huck

 

[Doug]

1979 to 97?
http://www.kbcamera.com/summicron35mm.htm

From KB Camera:
35mm F2 Summicron 1958-1969
Type 1* SN#1,640,000-1,316,000

Something strange here... I have a type 1 chrome 35 cron with infinity latch from Canada, SN#21035xx bought new Jul '67. Maybe KB’s numbers are for German production?

 

[Nikon Bob]

Doug

Reference sources are never 100% in the information contained in them. They try very hard and I think it is easier now with the web to to be more accurate and also update the info. They might be interested to know you have one in that serial number range. I looked up the 35 Summilux and mine is from the correct serial number range for the series 7 filter but the photo of the lens shows no infinity lock which mine has. Mine is Canadian made so possibly the serial number ranges were for both German and Canadian production and possibly the infinity catch was only on Canadian made lenses?

Bob

 

[Jim Watts]

Jim, Erwin Puts identifies all of the pre-ASPH 35 Summicrons as Midland lenses from 1958 on. He does not specify whether they were only Midland designs or whether they were also produced exclusively in Midland. In some other cases, he notes when this split occurred, so I would assume that they were all Midland production. However, he also notes in his history section that production was split between Midland & Wetzlar in some cases. Do you have any information on whether any of these lenses came out of Wetzlar production lines?

Huck

Thanks to all for help so far.
Huck - I don't think any of the 35mm Summicrons that are giving problems on the R-D1 are Wetzlar production, but I am only basing this on the fact that they have Canada on the lens barrel. All are also series 3 or 4 but if Midland produced them from 1958 earlier versions may also give the problem, but nobody in the R-D1 Forum as reported using one earlier than about 1975. I will have to try to find a friendly S/H dealer who will let me try one. I would also like to check a asph version to see if this is O.K, although I think some R-D1 users have this lens and have not reported any problems.

 

[Doug]

From KB Camera:
35mm F2 Summicron 1958-1969
Type 1* SN#1,640,000-1,316,000

Something strange here... I have a type 1 chrome 35 cron with infinity latch from Canada, SN#21035xx bought new Jul '67. Maybe KB’s numbers are for German production?

The KB site has a typographical error on second range number... The range should be Type 1* SN#1,640,000-2,316,000

In the next section of the chart, Type 2 range starts at 2,316,000