Leitz 35 Summicron 1st Version 8 Elements Demand

[chgoh]

Hi all,

Haven't been in the market for a while, but saw a WTS on the above and understood it to be ~ S$2000. I did think this was quite a desired lens , especially amongst Japanese. But I'm surprized by the sharp increase in the used selling price. Check on photo.net and it seems to bear out this price.

So my question is: Is this lens so desireable and does it cost S$2000 now?

Thanks

 

[clubgrit]

I think it's cheaper on eBay, and what is expensive is the 4th version. On the other hand, at the Rangefinder forum, the demand also makes people think it is overpriced. I saw one 4th version for USD 1500 on eBay (sold), well, that's close to the ASPH price already ... I saw some 1st versions with nobody bidding or only a few.

Hi all,

Haven't been in the market for a while, but saw a WTS on the above and understood it to be ~ S$2000. I did think this was quite a desired lens , especially amongst Japanese. But I'm surprized by the sharp increase in the used selling price. Check on photo.net and it seems to bear out this price.

So my question is: Is this lens so desireable and does it cost S$2000 now?

Thanks

 

[YOL925]

Hi all,

Haven't been in the market for a while, but saw a WTS on the above and understood it to be ~ S$2000. I did think this was quite a desired lens , especially amongst Japanese. But I'm surprized by the sharp increase in the used selling price. Check on photo.net and it seems to bear out this price.

So my question is: Is this lens so desireable and does it cost S$2000 now?

Thanks

The 8E summicron has considerable collector interest and hence commands high price (esp. those in mintish condition, but c'mon not those "without eyes" ). S$2000 for a v clean example is not so out-of-line price.

OTOH, whether this lens is really so great for making nice image or not is debatable. I for one think that my $500 LTM W-Nikkor 35mm beats the 8E hands down. YMMV

 

[chgoh]

The 8E summicron has considerable collector interest and hence commands high price (esp. those in mintish condition, but c'mon not those "without eyes" ). S$2000 for a v clean example is not so out-of-line price.

OTOH, whether this lens is really so great for making nice image or not is debatable. I for one think that my $500 LTM W-Nikkor 35mm beats the 8E hands down. YMMV

Hmmm... I thought that those without goggles are more sought after then M3-goggled ones?

 

[YOL925]

Hmmm... I thought that those without goggles are more sought after then M3-goggled ones?

My bad, it should read "without glass (??) but with scratched front element".

 

[chiif]

OTOH, whether this lens is really so great for making nice image or not is debatable. I for one think that my $500 LTM W-Nikkor 35mm beats the 8E hands down. YMMV

Can show a picture of the adapter with your Nikkor lens?

Just wondering... SLR lens on RF body, as you said, does it really beat them hands down???

 

[chgoh]

Can show a picture of the adapter with your Nikkor lens?

Just wondering... SLR lens on RF body, as you said, does it really beat them hands down???

Hmmm.... not sure if YOL925 was referring to a SLR lens as the W-Nikkors are LF lens if Nikon is consistent in their use of designators. Must have been converted to LTM for rangefinder use.

 

[YOL925]

Hmmm.... not sure if YOL925 was referring to a SLR lens as the W-Nikkors are LF lens if Nikon is consistent in their use of designators. Must have been converted to LTM for rangefinder use.

No lah, wat SLR lens and convertor. It is the legendary Leica Thread Mount (LTM 39) W-NIKKOR.C 3.5cm f2.5 lens produced in the post WWII period (July 1952 to be exact) for Barnack Leica (such as IIIf, IIIG).

BTW, this is the same lens used in the Nikonos till today. You can read more about this gem here

You can mount it on any Leica M camera with the adaptor ring as shown in pix. And yeah, you don't have to use this original Leitz ring, the one available from Chiif is just as good

YOL

 

[robertcapa]

I think it's cheaper on eBay, and what is expensive is the 4th version. On the other hand, at the Rangefinder forum, the demand also makes people think it is overpriced. I saw one 4th version for USD 1500 on eBay (sold), well, that's close to the ASPH price already ... I saw some 1st versions with nobody bidding or only a few.

based on my limited knowledge.. what is expensive is the made in germany 4th chrome version of the 35mm summicron. the 1st version 8 elements version is "in demand" because they are hard to find especially in mint condition. collectors, i believe, don't mind paying the premium for this. 1st version is very sharp they say, has very different signature but very susceptible to hazing..

 

[CooperS]

based on my limited knowledge.. what is expensive is the made in germany 4th chrome version of the 35mm summicron. the 1st version 8 elements version is "in demand" because they are hard to find especially in mint condition. collectors, i believe, don't mind paying the premium for this. 1st version is very sharp they say, has very different signature but very susceptible to hazing..

All of them are sharp. But contrast is still not as high as the ASPH. The 1st version I reckon has a flare issue, as with the 2nd version.