Help identifying Leitz lens

Erik D. Herrmann Sr. · Dec 23, 2017

Greetings,
A friend of mine owns an antique shop and just received a Leica camera that I believe to be an IF. The camera has a 5cm f/2 lens, and I'm having a hard time finding any info on it. I'm attaching some pics to see what I can find out about it. I won't lie, I know nothing about Leicas, and this is the first one I've ever actually held in my hands. I couldn't get the aperture ring to move, but like I said, I don't know how to operate it. It appears, from internet searches that this is a collapsible lens? If so, it wasn't readily apparent how to do it. The only thing that moves on the lens is the focusing ring.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

summicron1 · Dec 23, 2017

it is a 1f made in 1952/1953, the lens is a common summitar made in 1950 and the collapsible part is that you pull out on the front part of the lens and it slides out, then turn it to the clockwise to lock it into place. The entire lens should unscrew from the camera body, just turn the focus ring counter clockwise until it stops, then keep turning, the lens should unscrew.

The summitar is the immediate precursor to the Summicron lens, it is a very excellent lens to shoot with.

if the f-stop ring doesn't turn, it is probably grimed up, the whole camera probably needs servicing if you want to shoot pics with it.

Erik D. Herrmann Sr. · Dec 23, 2017

summicron1 said:
it is a 1f made in 1952/1953, the lens is a common summitar made in 1950 and the collapsible part is that you pull out on the front part of the lens and it slides out, then turn it to the clockwise to lock it into place. The entire lens should unscrew from the camera body, just turn the focus ring counter clockwise until it stops, then keep turning, the lens should unscrew.

The summitar is the immediate precursor to the Summicron lens, it is a very excellent lens to shoot with.

if the f-stop ring doesn't turn, it is probably grimed up, the whole camera probably needs servicing if you want to shoot pics with it.

Thank you for the prompt reply and the info. I believe that she was going to try to sell it for around $1500 USD. She will definitely have to get it checked out and serviced first though.

silveror0 · Dec 23, 2017

I'm not really familiar with this model, but it appears in your second photo that the focusing ring has a lug with a button; there appears to be a button which if pressed and held would release "something." Try it and see what it's purpose is. It could permit the lens to be collapsed OR free up the aperture ring.

You could log into the Leica Forum and query them - they're quite knowledgeable:
https://www.l-camera-forum.com/

EDIT: Summicron1 answered while I was feeding my dog (after I started drafting my response).

Erik D. Herrmann Sr. · Dec 23, 2017

silveror0 said:
I'm not really familiar with this model, but it appears in your second photo that the focusing ring has a lug with a button; there appears to be a button which if pressed and held would release "something." Try it and see what it's purpose is. It could permit the lens to be collapsed OR free up the aperture ring.

You could log into the Leica Forum and query them - they're quite knowledgeable:
https://www.l-camera-forum.com/

EDIT: Summicron1 answered while I was feeding my dog (after I started drafting my response).

Thank you. I will try that and also check out the forum.

Theo Sulphate · Dec 23, 2017

When the lens is at infinity, it locks. The button unlocks it for closer focusing.

The lens may need to be extended before you can grasp and turn the aperture ring.

Erik D. Herrmann Sr. · Dec 24, 2017

Theo Sulphate said:
When the lens is at infinity, it locks. The button unlocks it for closer focusing.

The lens may need to be extended before you can grasp and turn the aperture ring.

Thanks, I will probably go back over and take another look at it this week.

Kodachromeguy · Dec 24, 2017

Here is a photograph of the Summitar lens when extended. To clarify:
1. Grasp the outer ring of the lens and pull out from the body.
2. Rotate the ring clockwise when facing the body. It will lock in about a 30 degree turn.
3. The focus ring has an infinity lock. Press the button to release when you want to focus closer than infinity.
4. The aperture should turn freely without click stops. If no, than it needs a professional to clean. Do not force it.

For USA service, I recommend Mr. Don Goldberg (DAG) in Wisconsin. He overhauled the camera you see in the picture. Another option is Ms. Sherry Krauter in New York. The Summitar is a superb performer. As an example: the two beauties in the photograph below are schoolgirls in Gorkha region of Nepal.

Erik D. Herrmann Sr. · Dec 25, 2017

Kodachromeguy said:
Here is a photograph of the Summitar lens when extended. To clarify:
1. Grasp the outer ring of the lens and pull out from the body.
2. Rotate the ring clockwise when facing the body. It will lock in about a 30 degree turn.
3. The focus ring has an infinity lock. Press the button to release when you want to focus closer than infinity.
4. The aperture should turn freely without click stops. If no, than it needs a professional to clean. Do not force it.

For USA service, I recommend Mr. Don Goldberg (DAG) in Wisconsin. He overhauled the camera you see in the picture. Another option is Ms. Sherry Krauter in New York. The Summitar is a superb performer. As an example: the two beauties in the photograph below are schoolgirls in Gorkha region of Nepal.

View attachment 192399 View attachment 192400

Thanks for the information. I will look up Mr. Goldberg and/or Ms Krauter. The one thing that I did figure out during my brief look at it was the infinity lock. As I said in a previous post, I think she is going to have to send it in and have it checked out.
Very nice shots too.

Help identifying Leitz lens

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