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Uh oh, just bought a 35 Lux Pre-ASPH, problem with M9?

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Gary CG

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I just bought a 35 Summilux-M Pre-ASPH serial no. 3,253,xxx .

Just read this "Leica cautions that some of these SUMMILUX may have rear protuberances which may interfere with an internal obstruction unique to the M9. If there is this problem, the lens might not mount on the M9, or might not focus to infinity. In this case, Leica can modify the lens to work properly on the M9."

http://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/35mm-f14.htm

I don't have an M9 right now to test it on. Do I potentially have a problem?
 
Gary CG said:
I just bought a 35 Summilux-M Pre-ASPH serial no. 3,253,xxx .

Just read this "Leica cautions that some of these SUMMILUX may have rear protuberances which may interfere with an internal obstruction unique to the M9. If there is this problem, the lens might not mount on the M9, or might not focus to infinity. In this case, Leica can modify the lens to work properly on the M9."

http://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/35mm-f14.htm

I don't have an M9 right now to test it on. Do I potentially have a problem?
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I really don't understand this, who should tell you definitely if it will or won't work?

Want to send it to me? I can try it on my M9P and then send it back to you...anything else is just speculation

--
cheers
laki

Homer: If The Flintstones has taught us anything, it's that pelicans can be used to mix cement.

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Well I was hoping that someone might be fully familiar with the issue being alluded too and shed some light on it. Perhaps it was something unique to early model-M9s or perhaps only a narrow range of 35 Lux serial numbers. Perhaps it's actually not a problem at all and is merely an error by Rockwell.

I don't expect anyone who knows no more about the issue than I do to be able to offer further insight.

Thanks for your reply.
 
You will have to get it modified if it falls within a serial number range (normally Canadian and not Wetzlar.) The shroud has to be removed and ground down so that it can focus at infinity with the M9. Any good Leica tech can do this for you. Email Carmen Vargas at Leica USA in NJ (assuming you are in the US) and give her the serial number. She might be able to tell you if it does need this based on the serial number alone and will give you an estimate (she'll most likely have you send it in so they can measure the rear shroud.) You can shop around for modification prices from other service shops (like DAG or Youxin Ye.) In the end it's not a really huge cost to modify.

The serial number may not always be definitive. You need to carefully mount the lens (be sure not to have it focused at infinity!!) and then carefully focus towards infinity. You will feel that something isn't quite right as you near infinity. Don't go any further (!!) and take the lens off. Also you can measure the depth from lens mount surface to the obstruction within the light box of the M9. It needs to be right around 9.5 cm to work properly. Focus the lens to infinity and measure from the lens mount to the rear element shroud. If it's bigger than 9.5-9.6 cm (than the space within the camera body) then it needs the modification. It will collide with the body otherwise.

This lens also cannot be six bit coded by Leica either (they will refuse although other shops will do it, it requires machining.)

To be honest the lens was really not one of Leica's best efforts. It's known for low contrast and a lot of flare. Although some people say it's 'dreamy' looking. Well, it certainly isn't bitingly sharp. :) But like all Leica lenses, there are certain followers.

I'd personally consider the Summicron 35mm instead. Unless you have the funds to get the latest Summilux.
 
The only lens that I've had issues mounting on a digital M is the 50mm Dual Range Summicron--that's a pretty well documented issue.

Do you have an M8 to test with? Generally speaking, if it mounts on the M8, it will mount on the M9.

My instincts say that it won't be an issue with the 35 Lux pre-ASPH. But better to try it out if you can to confirm.

--
Jim

http://www.pcmag.com/reviews/digital-cameras
http://www.daguerreotyping.com
 
jpfisher said:
The only lens that I've had issues mounting on a digital M is the 50mm Dual Range Summicron--that's a pretty well documented issue.

Do you have an M8 to test with? Generally speaking, if it mounts on the M8, it will mount on the M9.

My instincts say that it won't be an issue with the 35 Lux pre-ASPH. But better to try it out if you can to confirm.

--
Jim

http://www.pcmag.com/reviews/digital-cameras
http://www.daguerreotyping.com
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I don't have any M body at the moment. I purchased an M9 in March on ebay but the auction turned out to be fraudulent and it took over a month for me to get my money back from paypal. Now I'm waiting to see what the 10th brings.

This 35 Lux lens is a Canada made lens and now I suspect that it won't work on the M9. Thanks for replying!
 
Fogsville said:
You will have to get it modified if it falls within a serial number range (normally Canadian and not Wetzlar.) The shroud has to be removed and ground down so that it can focus at infinity with the M9. Any good Leica tech can do this for you. Email Carmen Vargas at Leica USA in NJ (assuming you are in the US) and give her the serial number. She might be able to tell you if it does need this based on the serial number alone and will give you an estimate (she'll most likely have you send it in so they can measure the rear shroud.) You can shop around for modification prices from other service shops (like DAG or Youxin Ye.) In the end it's not a really huge cost to modify.

The serial number may not always be definitive. You need to carefully mount the lens (be sure not to have it focused at infinity!!) and then carefully focus towards infinity. You will feel that something isn't quite right as you near infinity. Don't go any further (!!) and take the lens off. Also you can measure the depth from lens mount surface to the obstruction within the light box of the M9. It needs to be right around 9.5 cm to work properly. Focus the lens to infinity and measure from the lens mount to the rear element shroud. If it's bigger than 9.5-9.6 cm (than the space within the camera body) then it needs the modification. It will collide with the body otherwise.

This lens also cannot be six bit coded by Leica either (they will refuse although other shops will do it, it requires machining.)

To be honest the lens was really not one of Leica's best efforts. It's known for low contrast and a lot of flare. Although some people say it's 'dreamy' looking. Well, it certainly isn't bitingly sharp. :) But like all Leica lenses, there are certain followers.

I'd personally consider the Summicron 35mm instead. Unless you have the funds to get the latest Summilux.
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Thanks for your informative answer fogsville. It is a Canadian-made lens so now I am suspicious. I'll have to wait until Monday to find out from Carmen Vargas now I suspect.

I know that the pre-ASPH is bettered by the ASPH but it was half the price of a used ASPH. I know that it flares and isn't as contrasty as the ASPH but I can live with that. I have a 50 Summicon and I wanted the extra stop.

I wonder if having it ground down will reduce its value if it needs such work...

I wish I'd known about this before bidding. Buyer beware! :)
 
Let's see a photo of the back of the lens.
 
MilSooper said:
Let's see a photo of the back of the lens.
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Only won the auction yesterday. I live in Canada just north of the US where I have a residence. I'm having the lens shipped to my US address. I was planning on just mailing it straight on to Leica in NJ if my communications with them indicate that it needs the work.

Here's the only picture of the back of the lens from the auction... My 50 Cron doesn't have that big black crescent ring :(



 
Yes, that is the version that will need grinding down. The black shroud will hit the inside of the M8 and M9 when focused at infinity.

It's a relatively common job. Email that pic and the serial number to Carmen at Leica NJ and she'll give you an estimate. They will also go over the lens and clean it and make sure it's focusing properly, etc.. You can also use an independent repair facility. The best in the US are DAG, Youxin Ye, Essex Camera, Steve Choi, Sherry Krauter, and Gus Lazzari. Sorry, but I'm not familiar with the Canadian Leica repair facilities.
 
Fogsville said:
Yes, that is the version that will need grinding down. The black shroud will hit the inside of the M8 and M9 when focused at infinity.

It's a relatively common job. Email that pic and the serial number to Carmen at Leica NJ and she'll give you an estimate. They will also go over the lens and clean it and make sure it's focusing properly, etc.. You can also use an independent repair facility. The best in the US are DAG, Youxin Ye, Essex Camera, Steve Choi, Sherry Krauter, and Gus Lazzari. Sorry, but I'm not familiar with the Canadian Leica repair facilities.
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Thanks fogsville. Damn! More messing around and expense. Appreciate your help though!
 
When complete you'll have a better cleaner lens for the effort.
 
I shall just flip it straight around at the border and send it off to Leica NJ (after speaking to them first). Now I need a body to mount my three lenses on!
 
Gary, just rest assured that it's not a big repair. Some people have done it themselves with a Dremel tool although I wouldn't probably recommend it (esp in respect to resale down the road.) It's a small section of a few mm in the rear part of that shroud that is the culprit. The 'shroud' is actually a 'rear element guard' that protects the rear element of the lens when you set it down.

It's also possible it might not hit the inside of the camera. It's a small amount and there are always manufacturing variations. You might consider waiting until you get your camera body and then test it first before sending it out.

It's not a big deal in the end but yeah, there's some expense and there's the effort to have to ship it and wait, etc.. But it will add value since there are a lot of M8 and M9 cameras out there now and selling a version of this lens that's guaranteed to fit will be a good selling point.
 
Well I've spoken to Carmen Vargas and sent her the pictures and the serial number which she forwarded to her technician. The response is that they need me to send the lens in to them to be able to check if it will work on an M9.

I'm really quite confused about this. Are they aware of this problem? The M9 has been around for nigh on three years now. Surely they can tell from the serial number if not the picture?

Incidentally, Ken Rockwell shows a lens that looks identical to mine and he states...

"Leica cautions that some of these SUMMILUX may have rear protuberances which may interfere with an internal obstruction unique to the M9. If there is this problem, the lens might not mount on the M9, or might not focus to infinity. In this case, Leica can modify the lens to work properly on the M9.

The version shown here works great on the M9."



I really don't want all the added aggravation of having to send it away is it's not necessary. If only I knew where to find an M9 to test it on locally.
 
The serial numbers, or so I've been told, are not always reliable for that problem.
The amount that protrudes is very very small so it is best to let them check.
The lens will be gone over pretty good for everything else too.
 
I would not worry too much. I had one (canada version), worked well on my M9.
As i found it shockingly soft when wide open, i sold it, to someone with a M8.

On his camera, it touched something inside, making focussing on infinity difficult (thus it was grinded to get rid of the small problem).

The buyer made some marvelous shots with it, and my test-shots that i made for the advertisement made me wonder about the strange behaviour of this lens.

at 1.4 it is extremely soft, but when well used this can be extremely nice and plaisant. (not for sharp architecture or interiors at 1.4, but portraits/close-ups can be wonderfull)

At 4.0 it is sharp, above this it becomes extremely sharp, and it gives the nice classical leica look. Two lenses in one.

To make the story short.... i bought one again, and if you know what the lens does, it is a very good lens to have. Tiny btw.

Best regards
 
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