Summaron 2.8

[Ron (Netherlands)]

In my database there are 44 sales of the 2.8 Summarons of which only two were presented as ltm. However there is no specific difference in price range with the m-mount version. This may indicate that not many users/collectors are after the ltm version. I don't have a 2.8 Summaron yet since I am still after some 35mm summicrons, but after completion of that collection I will surely go after this beautiful summaron which I see as the first Leica lens fit in a 'modern' barrel.

 

[HuubL]

I just received the "true" LTM Summaron. It looks exactly like the "dedicated-M-adapter" version. Only differences:
1. red (M) dot on the lens barrel of the dedicated vs no dot on the true LTM
2. 0.7m minimal on the dedicated vs 1m on the true LTM

The "M-mount only" version has the red dot on the M-mount ring.
I'll post pictures of the three types before I sell one of the two LTMs. Not sure which one yet.

 

[Doug]

Thanks for all the good info. But I'm a bit puzzled with my Summaron, which has an "early" s/n 1666xxx with a single small setscrew, and the red dot on the same ring as the setscrew. I had assumed it was a straight M-mount, but now I'm not so sure... Pics:

 

[Nokton48]

Here's Mine........

Here's Mine........

I also assumed that mine was a fixed mount. It's 0.7m with a teeny-tiny setscrew on the back mounting ring (I just noticed). Serial #1615868. Mine has the red dot, and so I just removed the rear mount. Which was a good thing, since I could clean it a bit, before putting it back together.

 

[HuubL]

Thanks for all the good info. But I'm a bit puzzled with my Summaron, which has an "early" s/n 1666xxx with a single small setscrew, and the red dot on the same ring as the setscrew. I had assumed it was a straight M-mount, but now I'm not so sure... Pics:

Doug, your's is an M3-type. Although it seems to have the set screw, I don't know about these. The story here applies to M2-types. I assume the goggles would interfere with mounting on LTM cameras. Sorry.

 

[Doug]

Doug, your's is an M3-type. Although it seems to have the set screw, I don't know about these. The story here applies to M2-types. I assume the goggles would interfere with mounting on LTM cameras. Sorry.

Ah, true, true; there's no earthly reason for a goggled Summaron to be screw mount, as the goggles aren't spaced correctly for any screw-mount Leica. M-application only. Thanks!

 

[helen.HH]

I removed the red dot mounting ring
applied a leica 35mm adapter
and Magic ...
the 35mm Framelines NOW come up on my M6 😎

 

[Vincent.G]

Thanks HuubL for the info! It is a pleasant surprise for me that my summaron is a convertible! =)

 

[HuubL]

I removed the red dot mounting ring
applied a leica 35mm adapter
and Magic ...
the 35mm Framelines NOW come up on my M6 😎

Did your lens with the original mounting ring not bring up the 35mm frame?
Helen, you mentioned the M-mounting ring on your summaron to have the red dot. And it also has only one set screw? That looks like yet another type. Other possibility is the red dot was lost in the past and a new one glued onto the back M-mount ring. In any case, the early serial number seems to fit with the convertible type. Could you perhaps post a photo of your lens.

 

[kermaier]

I have both the straight LTM and the convertble M versions. My convertible has the red dot on the removable mounting flange. I believe that several variations on convertible vs. not, red dot on the flange vs. the barrel and small vs. large dot were produced throughout the production of the Summaron - serial number alone probably wouldn't predict.

Since the LTM version is semi-rare (not like an LTM 'cron, but still) I'd expect it to sell for more than the M version (particularly for M8 users who'd like to 6-bit code the lens without disassebly). However, I couldn't seem to sell my very clean LTM lens last year at a price that would make me part with it. Maybe I'll offer it again when the stock markets recover. 😉

Ari

 

[HuubL]

I promised you comparison photos of the three (M2) types: original LTM, convertible M/LTM and M-only.

The convertible (left) with M-mount ring in place:

The convertible (left) with M-mount ring removed:

Note the different location and size of the red dot. Another difference between the lenses is the distinctly fifferent color of the coating. The newer lens has a much more golden color than the older lens which has a blueish coating.

 

[kermaier]

Note the different location and size of the red dot. Another difference between the lenses is the distinctly fifferent color of the coating. The newer lens has a much more golden color than the older lens which has a blueish coating.

Interesting -- my convertible has the small dot on the M-mount flange.

And you're right about coating variations. My original LTM (SN 1921936 -> 1962) has golden coatings, my slightly earlier convertible M (SN 1904920 -> 1961) has the bluish coatings.

::Ari

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

I promised you comparison photos of the three (M2) types: original LTM, convertible M/LTM and M-only.

The convertible (left) with M-mount ring in place:

The convertible (left) with M-mount ring removed:

Note the different location and size of the red dot. Another difference between the lenses is the distinctly fifferent color of the coating. The newer lens has a much more golden color than the older lens which has a blueish coating.

Huub, could you show a photo of the back of the convertible with the M-mount on? Would like to compare it to a convertible mount of an early summicron 35mm.

thanks

 

[HuubL]

Hi Ron,
Is this what you mean..?

top: Summicron v1, left: Summaron fixed M-mount, right: Summaron convertible mount

left: fixed M-mount, right: convertible

left: fixed, right: convertible. Also notice the much finer threading of the inner brass barrel of the later lens. Also my summicron has the finer threading, while the LTM-mount has the wider threading.

 

[marduk]

Doug, your's is an M3-type. Although it seems to have the set screw, I don't know about these. The story here applies to M2-types. I assume the goggles would interfere with mounting on LTM cameras. Sorry.

Mine s/n 1665555 is the same as Doug's, the red dot is on the body of the lens and there is a small screw on the same ring, but there doesn't seem to be a chance to unscrew it. So that story applies to the M2-types only, true. It has a wider threading btw. Superb lens, though.

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Hi Ron,
Is this what you mean..?

top: Summicron v1, left: Summaron fixed M-mount, right: Summaron convertible mount

left: fixed M-mount, right: convertible

left: fixed, right: convertible. Also notice the much finer threading of the inner brass barrel of the later lens. Also my summicron has the finer threading, while the LTM-mount has the wider threading.

Many thanks Huub for showing these photo's. Makes differences very clear. The first type summicron in my own collection - production run 1968 - has the same back as yours. However I came across a very early summicron. At first glance that summicron also seemed to have a convertible mount. However also looking at your pictures I believe the early summicron might only have a very thick fixed m-mount ring, albeit different from yours and mine. Here is a picture of the back of the early first type summicron (I also showed this at the Leica L forum: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica...842-summicron-35mm-first-type-any-info-2.html):

 

[fbf]

Thanks for the info. Mine has serial# 175xxx. The small red dot is on the m mount flange with a small set screw. I removed the screw and m mount flange then the ltm mount revealed itself. Now I can use it anywhere...

 

[Penzes]

Summaron with goggles is a bit more difficult to focus, but I like the lens on the M3 very much.


street play by Istvan Penzes, on Flickr

 

[s_zemliakov]

Yesterday I received an 'authentic' 2.8 Ltm version with 1m minimal focus. Just wondering if it is really more valuable than the convertible M mount as I have read that around 5000 copies were produced .(I payed 500€ for it). Anyway I can't wait to use it and see the results!

 

[giulio stucchi]

Ciao Ale,

it seems you are addicted to the summarons (If I am not mistaken you have the 2.8 goggled and the 3.5 right?), this is a good addition, my fave lens.

I don't know about the value but I will look for your photos with it on Flickr.

I was considering an LTM one myself not because I need it but because I saw one for sale recently 🙂

The summaron is famous for its good performance at short distance, I love to use mine this way:

Giulio