Is my 1968 Summicron 50 black a rare piece?

[alex11235]

Hi guys, new to forum and had posted an ad for an M4 and summicron lense earlier when I was informed I may have been asking a tad too low because of the lense. I am a total noob and have simply gone down the rabbit hole here trying to figure out what I have. It was bought new by my Great Uncle in 1968.

Serial 2269270.

https://ibb.co/album/gmwZbF

Any thoughts?

Thank you,

Alex

 

[splitimageview]

Yes. a black version 2 is very uncommon. Not sure what it would fetch on the collector market as they don’t come up often...but likely big bucks if it’s factory legit.

Got any more photos of the barrel and rear of the lens?

Is it black paint?

 

[WJJ3]

There is some information about that version at the below link if you scroll down. Apparently it’s rare. I was going to comment on your ad that your camera has the original L seal in tact that might make it worth more also. You should keep and shoot your sweet camera.

https://www.overgaard.dk/leica_M4_50mm_summicron-M_20.html

 

[splitimageview]

From "Identifying Leica Lenses" by Sartorius, it's rated "R+" which is between 'rare' and 'very rare.'

 

[splitimageview]

Now that I look at the photos again, that looks like an unusual hybrid of some sort between v2 and v3...would help if you had more side-view photos of the barrel...it doesn't look like black paint to me. Maybe it's just a version 3 with an alternative focusing ring...

Sartorious says that version 3 started at approx 2,268,000.

Very curious!

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

I think you guys are talking about the second version 50mm summicron in black paint. But this lens certainly not a second version lens. It looks like a very common third version summicron. And its serial number does fall into the third version 50 summciron. But it's a very early production of that version. So the lens barrel still has the previous version's signature. It's definitely not a collectible black paint Rigid though.

 

[splitimageview]

That seems to be the correct conclusion. 🙂

Great lens nonetheless!

 

[bucs]

Looks like a V3 Summicron to me not the rare V2.

The rear part looks like a black rigid though. Maybe an early version of the V3

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

This is still a very interesting lens though because of that feature. But I guess not many people hype for this version. Just like the 35mm f2 summicron 6 elements version...

 

[alex11235]

https://ibb.co/album/kMBxVa

Here are more pics.

 

[bucs]

Uncommon lens. Shares the focus ring of the V2/rigid.

But is missing the much loved infinity lock 🙂)

 

[alex11235]

There is some information about that version at the below link if you scroll down. Apparently it’s rare. I was going to comment on your ad that your camera has the original L seal in tact that might make it worth more also. You should keep and shoot your sweet camera.

https://www.overgaard.dk/leica_M4_50mm_summicron-M_20.html

The fact that I don't even know what an L seal is nor where to look for it demonstrates that this needs to go to someone who can appreciate it.

 

[splitimageview]

L seal doesn’t mean much these days.

https://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=168703

 

[bucs]

L seal doesn’t mean much these days.

High time for a CLA 😀

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

For a common camera, a CLA receipt is a plus for the sell. L seal only means that the camera might need a service before use if the camera has been sitting somewhere for a long period.

 

[rodt16s]

Leica wiki suggests a very early v3, the first batch being with scalloped knurled barrel
Nice looking lens

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

No one here will fault you for pulling the ad, "cough." So since we are talking about your camera, and its condition, the curtains have that dry look to my eyes, so the new owner will get a cla for sure, and at the same time, curtains maybe. For a knowledgeable LeicaMan, getting a low-use camera and lens at a reasonably low price, then have his repair guy do a genuine cla and curtain replacement is an ideal situation, rather than the seller getting a quick n' dirty cla and a good-enough curtain check.

 

[alex11235]

So what do you knowledgable guys think is a fair asking price?

 

[drew.saunders]

From here: https://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/Summicron_(II)_f=_5_cm_1:2
You'll see that your s/n falls into the first line:

SN Start SN End Product Year Total
2269251 2270250 Summicron f= 5 cm 1:2 (SKF-black) 1968 1000

SKF is "Scalloped focusing knurl"

There were 2350 "regular" black lenses made that year, so it's the less common version, but not super rare.

No clue about the fair price.

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

A version 3 50mm f2 summciron in good condition normally goes for around $800. I don't know if collector willing to pay more for the early batch version 3. I don't see anyone mentioned it before.