Leica LTM what's special about this barnack to make it worth $3k?

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
I wouldn't say the camera is special (unless I'm missing something obvious) but that Summar is very weird. The base/mount looks like it's come from an Elmar and the front of the lens looks nothing like any Summar I've ever seen. No mention in the Rogliatti "First 60 Years" book of a Summar like that.

Early prototype or weird modification?
 
Rigid Summar = big money and uncommon.

The 'Tropen' Summar is another rarity

Also quite rare 'black rim' Summar.
 
It was listed as a IIIC but it's actually a III and I think that's a rigid Summar (the first type made). The camersa is in pretty crappy condition - and there were 34 bids!!!
 
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The rigid Summars are usually in nickel. I've never seen one in chrome. That will be the reason for the extremely high price. The lens also has a diaphragm with a round aperture. The collapsible Summar has a hexagonal aperture. I don't know if all the rigid Summars have a diaphragm with a round aperture. But this one has it too: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ex-Leica-III-Black-Paint-Rigid-Summar-50mm-f-2-Nickel-w-Hood/254721378896?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20200818143132%26meid%3Dbcc24232da7a49989c7e05b9a08f945d%26pid%3D101198%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dpf%26sd%3D124593410444%26itm%3D254721378896%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLCvipPairwiseWebWithBBEV2bDemotion%26brand%3DLeica&_trksid=p2047675.c101198.m1985

I love the black and nickel Leica III.


Erik.
 
The Tropen Summar was 7 element versus the 6 for the non tropical Summar plus it suppose to have that Summitar like groove on the sliding pull-out cylinder body of the lens.

A lens for collectors.
 
Coldkennels said:
I wouldn't say the camera is special (unless I'm missing something obvious) but that Summar is very weird. The base/mount looks like it's come from an Elmar and the front of the lens looks nothing like any Summar I've ever seen. No mention in the Rogliatti "First 60 Years" book of a Summar like that.

Early prototype or weird modification?
Click to expand...

I own a Zeiss 5cm 2.0 that is planted into an Elmar base, just like this Summar is. I never found out who made this adaptation.
 
Look at the sellers other items. A spoon, a frog thing and a snail thing. Not exactly spewing confidence in his knowledge of photographic equipment. Some of these people are morons, they do not even bother to clean the dust and filth off the tat they are selling. It’s all about making a fast dollar.
 
Well, I rather dislike buying anything from ebay (during last few years at least), but I would have very happily placed a bid for $200-300 for that kit!

The rigid summar is rare and valuable. I missed the fact this one appears to be in chrome. The elements look to be in reasonable shape (from what we can see looking into the "well"). Of course, it can be hard to tell when not in-hand, but I saw no obvious deep scratches on that front element - and most summars have....um....front elements with plenty of "character". Also, the barrel looked like it had not seen much use in its life.

If the elements are in good shape and haze (if any) gets removed, the summar can provide really neat images. See some of the images Erik has made (somewhere on RFF).

I happen to have a black-rim summar with a really good front element, but it has some haze and the internal black paint is flaking in places - so the images aren't very good. Its a lens that wants to visit Don (DAG) some day.
 
rfaspen, is your black rim Summar chrome or nickel? I presume nickel, I've never seen a chrome black rim one.


Here is one of my nicest shots with the Summar.

gelatine silver print (summar) leica III

Erik.

50335576432_c01cc5b13a_b.jpg
 
I have an old catalogue that offers the rigid version in chrome or nickel. This refers to rigid version, black rim always nickel

Rigid Summars have no wear on the barrel because they don't collapse.

Another Summar version would be the one with little lugs for the positioning of filters for the Agfacolour process. I know nothing about these and may have got this wrong.

I have a black rim Summar that is coated. Someone must have appreciated it enough to have this done post war.

In the '60s I used to hate Summars. They didn't produce 'modern' pictures like everyone's Pentax. How the world turns...
 
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I have to assume the buyer was knowledgeable. However, I remember reading that one of the cautionary signs in such ads was the phrase "I am not an expert. . ." So between that and my admittedly small budget, I never would have bid on the item. But I have enjoyed reading the above exchange -- and learned from it.
Keith
 
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