35mm Summicron question

[andrew gundershaug]

Hello all...I have 35mm Summicron serial # 2316XXX (Made in Canada).

The lens was apparently built in 1969 accroding to the resource at KB

Camera. According to the lecia webpage it is a Type 1, but according

to the KB resource it is either a Type 2 or 3. Also the lens looks

different than any that my friends have or that I have seen on the

internet, there is a Tab that sits off of the Aperture

ring...So...what type is it...just wondering

[jja]

Type 2, according to cameraquest: "Second version 1969-1973 chrome from 2316001, has a

little aperture control lever rather than a traditional aperture control ring, 6 elements."

[eliot_rosen1]

show a picture and I can tell you if it is a first or second version or first. It is right around the transition period. Bear in mind that ALL second version lenses are black anodized, whereas the vast majority of first version lenses are chrome. there are a small number of late first version lenses in black anodized finish, but these are very rare and KEH would have charged over $ 2000, so most likely sight unseen it is an early second version black lens.

[eliot_rosen1]

sorry, meant KB, not KEH.

[damir_fajdetic]

It is the second (optical) version of 35mm Summicron M (six elements - Leica Code 11309); the lens was (mainly) made in Canada (1969-1970), optically (very) similar to the third (optical) version whose first (mechanical) version was very similar to this version, but lacked filter thread...

[pensacolaphoto]

Is the first version somehow better optically than the second version? I see many postings praising the first version.

[damir_fajdetic]

The first (eight elements) version is usually preferred over the second (or even the third) version (both with six elements). It has lower contrast, but sharpness is comparable (or better), and it has smoother "bokeh". The fourth (seven elements) version beats them all...