Leica SM lens serial number chart?

[Chuck A]

Does anyone know where I can find a chart detailing Leica SM lenses and the years they were made by serial number? I bought a 90mm Elmar and am curious what year it was made. I am contemplating some other lenses as well.

 

[lmd91343]

Have you tried:
http://www.leica-camera.com/cgi-bin/overview.pl/en/snstatus

 

[erudolph]

http://www.forloren.dk/lbf/leica_lens_serial.htm


Ed

 

[Chuck A]

Got it, thanks. Is there anywhere to find specs on these older sm lenses? Stuff like length, number of elements, filter thread and type of coating.

 

[Chuck A]

I am going to bump this up to see if I can get someones input on second question

 

[Jerevan]

Stephen Gandy has a list of the various ltm lenses on http://www.cameraquest.com/ltmlens.htm with some ideas of what to expect from them. Otherwise, search here at RFF for more info on filter sizes, etc... The 90 Elmars have two filter sizes, 36 mm push-on and 39 mm screw-in, depending on when it is made. Later models are 39 mm, but I don't know the cut-off in the serial numbers.

 

[bob cole]

Is there anywhere to find specs on these older sm lenses? Stuff like length, number of elements, filter thread and type of coating.

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I will try to help with one Leica lens, if you like...I suggest the following reference work:

"Identifying Leica Lenses," by Ghester Sartorius, Amphoto Books, 1999, $24.95usd...ISBN 0-8174-4027-5 [printed in Italy]

It might be in a good local library or available on the Internet from lots of book dealers or on that auction site ...If you're talking about non-Leica lenses, it's a much more difficult job...


regards, bob cole

 

[Chuck A]

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I will try to help with one Leica lens, if you like...I suggest the following reference work:

"Identifying Leica Lenses," by Ghester Sartorius, Amphoto Books, 1999, $24.95usd...ISBN 0-8174-4027-5 [printed in Italy]

It might be in a good local library or available on the Internet from lots of book dealers or on that auction site ...If you're talking about non-Leica lenses, it's a much more difficult job...


regards, bob cole

I was intereted in the 90 elmar chrome model from around 1953. Thanks for the tip. I will look for the book.

 

[Eastwestphoto]

All published books & websites are in error! I own a Hektor 7.3cm F:1.9 from 1931 that has serial # 129326 inside and outside on the filter ring! I disassemble lenses and clean them. This agfa colour pip lens has a non rotating chrome helicoil design in non standard meter format. I tested it on a adapter m39 > m4/3 on a Lumix G-1; after servicing, and it's a MUCH better lens than so called knowledgeable authors have incorrectly stated! It appears this lens went back to E. Leitz NYC for coating in the very early 1950's, as it has a very light blue coating? I spent many hours in expert books and websites and can honestly state all data on Leitz m39 lens serial #'s is in error. 1931 is the start @ 100,000, only Ken Rockwell is even close too the truth. Regards, Don dtdinaro@ptd.net