Which Summitar is a Summicron?

[Krosya]

Hi there,
I have heard several times that before Leica released a Summicron Coll, they did a test run, using new then Summicron design in some lenses under Summitar name. If it's true - does anyone know how to spot one Summitar that really is a Summicron? Were there many? Specific serial numbers? etc...
Any ideas?
Thanks.

 

[Ororaro]

Summicron is, believe,exclusive for f2.0 lenses. Smmitar with F:2.0 aperture is a summicron. I just think it doesn't exist, IMO.

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

Hi,

You are correct. There was a small run of Summitars marked with a star that was a test run of Summicrons. I think only around 10 were made.
Summitars, summars and summicrons all start at aperture 2.

Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema

 

[OldNick]

I've heard that a few early Summicrons were released as Summitars and were marked with an "*". I can't recall whether it showed up after the name or the serial number.

Jim N.

 

[Ororaro]

a-ha! Great info! I am ignorant when it comes to those summitar lenses.

 

[Meleica]

Yes, in 1950 there were some Summitars that were built very similiar to the (collapsible) Summicron in a "test series." Those lenses are marked Summitar*

I never heard 10 were made, I bet it was more than that - but certainly not a lot more and probably extremely rare.

Dan

My 50mm Summicron Page
http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/summicron.htm

 

[mr_phillip]

I believe only around 40 were made for evaluation purposes. Of those that were sold, some must survive in the wild. Don't expect to find one cheap however.

 

[rich815]

Summicron is, believe,exclusive for f2.0 lenses. Smmitar with F:2.0 aperture is a summicron. I just think it doesn't exist, IMO.

Huh? My Summitar is a 50/2.

 

[mr_phillip]

I just double-checked the numbers. Leica made 100 Summitar* lenses over two batches in 1950 for evaluation. This design later emerged mostly unchanged as the Summicron that we all know and love.