ASPH lens marking question

[valery_yakushev1]

I wonder if there is a rule that ASPH is marked on the dial on the lens? I

recently saw at eBay a black 50 Summilux M ASPH with ASPH on the dial, but I

held in my hands a brand new silver chrome Summilux M 50, also ASPH according to

the Leica dealer but I do not remember that ASPH was engraved on the dial?

 

Could anyone comment, please? Thanks!

[carl_bretteville]

I'd say id you see "Summilux-M 1:1.4/50" without the ASPH it is the older version. Check the box, the item numbers for the ASPH model are 11891 (black) and 11892 (silver). The previous model had numbers 11868 (black) and 11856 (silver).

 

- Carl

[Rob F.]

Not sure what you mean by the diaL, but all my asphericals are marked ASPH on the front retaining ring. If the one you looked at was not so marked, it wasn't aspherical, and the guy is pulling your leg.

[valery_yakushev1]

Many thanx, Carl and Rob!

 

I meant 'front retaining ring' when I wrote 'dial'. I just didn't know how to call it correctly.

 

I will watch out for ASPH on the lens and check Leica item numbers on the boxes.

 

I am not yet sure do I want ASPH or 3rd generation of Summilux 50 (pre-ASPH), with 0.7m focusing and telescopic hood, I will think about it for a while, reading and watching scans on the net (not able to make a test of two lenses to decide by myself). Anyway, it is very useful to know which is which. Thanx again!

[andy_piper2]

Valery - the engraving ASPH will appear as part of the engraved name of the lens, as in

"SUMMILUX-M 1:1.4/50 ASPH."

 

There is a silver version of this lens - commemorating 50 years of the Leica M - that is

designed to look like the lenses from the 1950s. But it still says "ASPH." on the ring around

the glass in front.