Need some info on M2 and a couple of lenses please!

RdEoSg

RdEoSg

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Hey guys. We just bought an M2 system at the store here and I was curious about a few things.

The body is straight forward and it has a 35 summilux canada version. Not sure any more on that but I am sure I can track it down.

The questions I have is that we also got a 90mm collapsible f4 which I know nothing about. Can anyone give me some info? Good lens? Bad Lens? compared to the CV 90?

And most perplexing to me is this, there were a set of bug eyes in the bag too. We can't figure out what they go on. The 90 doesn't seem to have any spot for them. I can't remember which lens needs it on an M2, but they don't seem to go to either of the lenses we got.

Any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks a lot as always!
 
Don't know about the 35 Summilux, but given the age of the rest of the kit, the "bug eyes" could be for the M3 version of 1 of the older 35mm lenses (the M3 having no 35mm frame) or close-focusing w/the "Dual Range" 50mm Summicron.

I do know about the 90/4 collapsible Elmar since I have 1 (sold another 1 to rich815 on this forum). It's a good lens, but w/a vintage look (dates to the '50s-60s); it's single-coated & not very flare-resistant, thus not as contrasty as any modern lens like the CV 90/3.5. Although it's collapsible (body + collapsed lens will fit in the old everready cases), as you can tell, it's not lightweight.

RdEoSg said:
Hey guys. We just bought an M2 system at the store here and I was curious about a few things.

The body is straight forward and it has a 35 summilux canada version. Not sure any more on that but I am sure I can track it down.

The questions I have is that we also got a 90mm collapsible f4 which I know nothing about. Can anyone give me some info? Good lens? Bad Lens? compared to the CV 90?

And most perplexing to me is this, there were a set of bug eyes in the bag too. We can't figure out what they go on. The 90 doesn't seem to have any spot for them. I can't remember which lens needs it on an M2, but they don't seem to go to either of the lenses we got.

Any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks a lot as always!
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Check the 9cm F4 for Internal Haze. Removing the front element is not hard, and cleaning any haze out that might be present makes a big improvement in performance.
 
Nice kit! If the 35f1,4 is an older one, it could have been that the goggles were removed in which case the lens focussing accuracy can be suspect. They can be recalibrated of course. Does the 35 bring up the 35 framelines? Does it have a "ramp" at the top with screwholes in it? If it does, then the goggles are for that lens.
It could also be a "lost" pair of goggles for a DR Summicron (worth anywhere from $100-$150 on its own).
The 90f4 collapsible is one of my all time favourite lenses. Performance is OK, maybe not the sharpest 90 around and the contrast is lower than the VC 90/3,5, but what the 90 collapsible has is mechanical engineering and solidity that is unmatched! I was always amazed at leica making this lens, a mundane 90/4 but with a rather complex and labor intensive design. I have owned dozens of these over the years and as soon as I decide that I dont need it anymore, I get rid of them and regret it! I have one now and that is a keeper as they are getting difficult to find in nice clean shape. It is worthwhile having it cleaned and use it. It is a great black/white lens with nice smooth rendition. It also can use 39 mm filters which can be a bonus (a great excuse for keeping it anyway).
As for the M2 - this was the apex of leica's camera manufacturing, a camera that could handle 35/50/90 - what else do you need!
Try to find a 50/2 ( and if the goggles are DR Summicron ones - look for one of those - it is a great negotiating point when you buy DR Summicrons if they dont come with them - at least $150 off the price!).
Post a picture of the goggles here and someone will be able to tell you if they are ripped off a 35 or if they are DR Goggles ( they could also be goggles off an old 35f3.5 Summaron which in itself has no inherent valuse).
When in doubt, load film in it and go forth shooting - thats what it is for!
 
Thanks a lot Tom for the info. Neither lens has the ramp for the goggles to attach to so that is why it is confusing to us. I will take a photo of them in a few and post the shot. They look in great shape. Actually the entire system looks in great shape.
 
2250856077_df68b9eb36_o.jpg



2250856051_d140c98f91_o.jpg
 
The first model 35mm Summilux isn't the sharpest lens going wide open, and at f/2 a Summicron is still sharper than the 'lux. At smaller apertures they're very close. I got some great pix with mine wide open though. It kind of gives a "period look" to the pix. Enjoy!
 
DR Summicron 50? I wonder why he had those. Must have lost the lens at some point, but an M2 has the frame lines so what was the point? did it need them for proper focus or something?

EDIT.. ah for close focus...

where oh where is that lens!!
 
YES: I just did this. I used as rubber grommet to take off the name ring. The black rim surrounding the front element holds down the name ring. Once it is off, you will see the two holes for the retaining ring for the front element. I used the needle-nosed pliers seen on my Avatar. Spread apart, they fit the two holes on each side of the lens element. The front element is pressed into place on this metal ring. It comes out as an assembly. Once out, I used ammonia based eyeglass cleaner on it, and the inner surface behind the aperture blades.. No need to go deeper, that did the trick for my lens. Open the aperture blades up all the way when opening the lens.
 
well I got it down to the aperture blades one, the lens under the first. Cleaned that one and the first one. They are a bit better, but I can still see some haze on the other side of the element by the aperture. not sure how to get to that. I also see that even though I thought I did a good job of the top element, when I reassembled it I can see haze again. I don't know if it's some sort of reflection from the lower or what. Doesn't appear so. I used regular Kodak lens cleaning fluid. Maybe I need something stronger or need to soak the top element in it or something? or perhaps it is just the glas being slightly etched at this point.
 
Your Summilux is highly collectible - the japanes in particular are gaga over the old style 35f1.4. It might not be the sharpest of 35 but it has some of the nicest "bokeh" (the fuzzy stuff in the out of focus areas) that you can find. Did you get the hood with it? It is the scarce OLLUX which supposedly clamped on the lens, but usually didn't, hence its rarity! They fell off and drowned, got stepped on or run over by cars.
It is an odd kit. The 35/1,4 was very expensive when it came out and the former owner had the 50 DR Summicron (by the way, still one of the best 50's you can find) and then the somewhat "mundane" collapsible 90.
In you place, I would try to find a DR 50 to complete the kit. Great 60's throwback - load up with Tri X and go back to the glory days of photojournalism.
 
The coatings of the Elmar are soft, and can haze a bit. I've had good luck with the ammonia based cleaner, over Kodak lens cleaner. BUT: I would not worry about residual haze. Try a few shots with the lens. I did not get to the underside on my lens, just did not call for it. I'll take a look to see if it is obvious.
 
The Elmar 90/4 collapsible is one of best medium tele lens ever made, in the history of the photographic tools. Is a true legendary optic, with outstanding sharpness, excellent bokeh, superb three-dimensionality. Is a lens for very conoisseurs of superb quality lenses. For my taste, is better than VC Apo Lanthar 90/3.5 (that i own also). This Apo Lanthar is a very razor sharp, indeed, but the bokeh is much less pleasant, as the three-dimensionality. For the childeren and women portrait applications, the Elmar 90/4 collapsible is sensibly better and the whole optical rendition is unmistakably "Leitz Style". With the Velvia style colour slides, subdue some typical harshness in contrast, for the BW films is simply magical.
Ciao.
Vincenzo
 
On a side note: The 9cm Elmar, 13.5cm Hektar, and other older Leitz "long lenses" are not "telephoto formula". They are long focal length lenses, but do not use stronger optics to shorten the physical length as most Telephoto lenses use. They are "Anastigmats" with a long focal length, and corresponding long lens barrel. That probably gives them a unique look for "longer than 50mm" lenses.
 
Brian Sweeney said:
YES: I just did this. I used as rubber grommet to take off the name ring. The black rim surrounding the front element holds down the name ring.
Click to expand...

Brian, can I be ABSOLUTELY clear what you mean by this? HOW did you use a rubber grommet to take off the name ring? I'm keen to have a try, but I don't want to do the wrong thing.

Regards,

Bill
 
This only works for the Collapsible version of the 9cm Elmar. The black ring surrounding the front element is a retaining ring for the name-plate. It simply unscrews. I use a rubber grommet made for passing electrical cords through project boxes. It is a hollow-rubber cork. It makes it easier to avoid contact with the glass. You can use other items as well, no rocket-science here. Once the name-ring is off, you will see the holes to unscrew the front element. I use the needle-nosed pliers.
 
That's great, Brian, thank you for the clarification. I have a collapsible, my second, that I acquired about six weeks ago. I trawled around the London dealers - most had one or two, with prices varying widely (unsurprisingly TCC had the most expensive, and (almost) the worst condition, all in the same lens!)

I bought mine in RG Lewis, and it was the best I saw, but still with some front element fuzz. I'll give this a go tonight.

Regards,

Bill
 
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