Johnny Martyr

Here's one for pre-IIIg Barnacks: https://petapixel.com/2024/04/01/a-new-quick-load-spool-for-barnack-leica-and-similar-cameras/

Another point about FISON is versions. Not only are there the chrome and black but there appear to be at least five variants of black paint FISONS. One version without the thumbscrew, just a push-on. It's made of all brass. Then the versions with the thumbscrew are made either of all brass, all aluminum or brass and aluminum. The brass clamp ring and aluminum barrel FISON seems to be the most common. The all aluminum copy is inscribed New York and 50mm instead of 5cm. The inscription is also on the clamp ring, not the barrel like all other variants. Finally, there is a super rare black crinkle paint version. This version also has a nickel coated thumbscrew whereas the other variants have chrome plated thumbscrews. My copy is the brass/aluminium version with the chrome thumbscrew. All the versions are currently represented on eBay.

Glad you gentlemen seem to find the cosmetics of the black FISON agreeable on my black and nickel body/lens. It took about six months of hunting for the black FISON to turn up in good condition and a fair price. The brushed chrome ones are much more common and I'm sure look quite fine with chrome or black and chrome bodies/lenses but I needed that black paint! But more importantly, with plenty of film shot through it, I'm happy to report that the FISON works very well with the uncoated Summar. So much so that, I have a hard time understanding why Leica designed such a large hood for this lens originally. Mathematically, I'm sure a large hood makes sense at full aperture but I really haven't noticed, in real world use, any distracting vignetting at full aperture with this hood. Meaning, yes, in conditions at full aperture with bright corners of the scene, there may be slight vignetting but the lens without the hood would probably be doing this too. And it seems to help with flare protection as intended as well. I have been successful with shooting in bright sun at 100 ISO, with no or minimal flaring. As noted previously, there is little finder blockage and the correct 36mm cap can fit onto the hood and protect ones shutter easily. That thumbscrew, I keep pointing down instead of at the side as is designed. Unlike XOONS for my 5cm 1.5 Summarit, the FISON hits a stop when pushing it onto the front ring of the lens. This gives a definitive placement of the hood. So I'm not sliding it back and forth to get it to fit well, as I do with the XOONS. And yeah, that's about all I can think of that might be useful to mention. FISON for Summar for the win!

Really inspiring to hear about all these beautiful pre-war cameras and lenses still in use! Seems like there's even more interest than in 2002 when this thread was started. It's been about two years since purchase and I'm still enjoying my 21xxx 1930 I/III and nickel Summar. I rotate using a 5cm finder or Voigtlander VCII meter in the accessory shoe. Sometimes also a Thumbs Up grip. I've tracked down a good repro chrome collar of the shutter release, which I was missing. And I keep a black FISON hood on the Summar for a little front element and flare protection without adding too much additional size to the rig. I feel comfortable using this camera alongside my more modern Leica and Nikon bodies for important shoots but mostly I just carry it with me for casual snaps. It's about time to have the Summar cleaned as my regular use of it seems to have freed up its lubricants and it's glowing more now than when first purchased. Other than that, still going strong!

Kodak has deployed a new coating on their 120 backing paper to combat the aforementioned concerns. 120 Film - Kodak Uses New Backing Paper - The Film Photography Project

Based on Soeren's 7 year old advice and excellent photo, I just yesterday picked up a nice black FISON for my nickel Summar. The larger hoods may be more effective at preventing flare but the tiny FISON is only slightly visible in the finder and doesn't add much size to the camera as a whole. Maintaining a diminutive form factor is a critical element of the beauty of Leica cameras. My copy of the FISON fits and locks easily and securely to the Summar lens, though as Rick mentions with the FIKUS, the engraved black paint-filled dot aperture indicator is obstructed when the hood is slid tightly into place. I don't see this as a bother though because the Summar also features a small protruding metal tab opposite the dot which also serves to indicate the selected aperture. This is not obstructed in any way by the hood. One potential issue is that when the FISON is installed such that the Leitz engraved script is facing up, the thumbscrew is on the side of the lens at about where I am accustomed to holding the aperture ring for adjustment. The simple solution is to rotate the hood so that the thumbscrew is facing down and not interfering with aperture adjustment, however, its interference is slight and probably not cause for alarm. Another point that I love about the FISON is that its front diameter matches that of the lens. What this means is that one can use the correct Summar lenscap on the FISON hood. Cosina Voigtlander lenses usually come with a lenscap that fits onto the hood also. I like this setup because the hood can live on the lens permanently and the cap will be used more often as it's easier to add and remove. I have yet to process any film from this setup but am expecting it to be favorable. Many thanks to Soeren for his perfect recommendation!

Old thread but I stumbled across this and wanted to contribute! I'm currently using a 1930 I/III conversion near daily. It's SN is a very low 21xxx. Factory black paint with plenty of brass peaking through. Nickel, not chrome controls with matching Summar. It's an inspiring camera to shoot with! Glad to see so many oldies are were in use in 2002! How about now?