How much should a 35/2.8 Summaron be?

[2REP]

Hi,

I apologise if this question has been asked thousand times before but after a prolonged searching here and there. I just couldn't find relative information.

I have been longing for a 35 for ages and recently I came across a 35/2.8 Summaron (M-mount) which I'm thinking of buying (any Summicron is out of my budget ... 🙁 ). I've seen some samples from Photoethnography.com and I quite like the results from this lens (that not too contrasty colors ... nice)

Since I've never owned any Leica lens before so I have no idea how much I should pay for this lens ... the seller is asking for ~US$780 (sorry this is a converted amount) and described as in "pristine conditions"

Is this the current price? And what should I look for (like fogging ..) if I'm going to make this purchase?

Thank you so much in advance and any kind of help is deeply appreciated 🙂

Cheers,

2REP

 

[FrankS]

You could easily find a cheaper one, but not in as good a condition as pristine. Shine a small flashlight through the lens while looking in the other end. Do this from both directions. Haze will be evident if it is there, as a slight cloudiness or milkiness in the glass.

 

[dadsm3]

Sounds way high to me....but both the non-bugeyed Summaron and Summicron go for much more than their bugeyed version. I always thought it was a rarity issue.....\
For that kind of money you could get a Version III 'cron.....

 

[2REP]

You could easily find a cheaper one, but not in as good a condition as pristine. Shine a small flashlight through the lens while looking in the other end. Do this from both directions. Haze will be evident if it is there, as a slight cloudiness or milkiness in the glass.

Thanks Frank 🙂

I may start searching for a bit ... but here in HKG the 2nd hand Leica market is quite tiny.

Thanks again!

 

[2REP]

Sounds way high to me....but both the non-bugeyed Summaron and Summicron go for much more than their bugeyed version. I always thought it was a rarity issue.....\
For that kind of money you could get a Version III 'cron.....

Thanks dadsm3, Version III is LTM, am I correct?

 

[dadsm3]

No, sorry, I was thinking M mount. I'm checking epay and you're right, the LTM lenses are more expensive.

 

[kbg32]

This might help.

http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/a.htm

 

[RichardM]

I just saw a 35/2.8 Summaron at the Carson Camera Show (LA) yesterday. It was chrome, M2 version from Wetzlar in very good condition. Dealer wanted $800. I didn't examine with a flashlight since I already have a 35/2 Summicron which I got a few months ago. It is black and Canadian and I paid $800 as well. We both commented on how the price of Leica 35's have been going upward for the last couple of years.

Let me know if you want to get the name of the dealer.

Good luck.

 

[dadsm3]

Gandy isn't too impressed with either the F3.5 or F2.8 'rons, but I like my bugeyed F2.8
Still testing my minty bugeyed F2.0 'cron, got it for $850US......

 

[2REP]

Thanks everyone for the info! 🙂