Price: $4,699.00 Payment method: PayPal Item condition: 9+ Shows little or no signs of wear Shipping instructions: UPS or USPS
Leica Summilux 35mm f1.4 Pre-Asph V2, Made in Canada with RARE Infinity Lock
General Information
Some History - while Leica was struggling financially in the 1960s they outsourced some of their production to Canada to save costs while maintaining their standard of excelent quality. During this time they began producing their well renowned, 7 element, spherical line of 35mm Summilux lenses. From 1960 -1966 some, though very few, units were produced with an additional "infinity lock" added to the focusing knob. After 1967 Leica slightly altered the manufacturing of these lenses, upgrading 3 of the lens elements to exotic lanthum glass. While Leica continued producing this design, with the lanthum glass, for nearly 30 years, very very few were produced after 1967 with the infinity lock included. In fact, after 1969 no new lenses were ever produced with the infinity lock, making this already uncommon feature incredibly rare. Today these rare, collectable lenses are hard to find online, especially in good condition, making this unit a unique opportunity to own a piece of Leica history in beautiful condition.
SN 2290618
Made in Canada
Pre Aspherical
Version 2 (updated glass post 1966)
Rare infinity lock, silver
General Condition - Used, near mint, recently CLA'd
The lens has been kept safely in storage for decades and was treated very well before that. As a result the glass is in near perfect condition and there are zero external scratches on the body of the lens. The lens has received a recent CLA from the well renowned Youxin Ye of "YYe Camera" meaning both the glass and mechanics are in near perfect condition.
Optical Condition - Excelent
No fungus
No haze
No scratches, internal or external
Some risidual coating damage on back of the front element due to removed fungus. Very minor and only noticible under the "flashlight test". Damage is very thin and sparse.
Lens Cosmetic Condition - Near Mint
Externally the lens is in outstanding condition, looking nearly brand new.
Black external paint is in pristine condition with zero scratches.
Lettering on the front of the lens is bright white and has no damage
Lettering on the side of the lens has no damage and remains bright
Some creases or grooves on the lens body have a bit of dirt in them, but this can be easily cleaned. I am choosing not to remove this dirt as to not damage anything. An expert would certainly have an easy time fully cleaning the externals and returning the lens to an even more pristine condition (feel free to ask questions about this).
Mechanical Condition - Near Mint
The recent CLA of this lens leaves the mechanics in perfect condition with new lubricants set to last decades.
Focusing is smooth and has proper weight
Aperture dial moves smoothly and has distinct detents
Hood and Cap Condition - Used
Also inculded are the original lens cap and vented hood (12504) packaged with the lens when it was purchased.
Lens cap is in good shape, nothing much to note here.
Hood has seen better days, it's a bit warped and hard to scew onto the mount. There is one minor scratch but otherwise it looks clean.
Why am I selling it? - This lens is a piece of Leica history and a rare collectors item that deserves proper care. Therefore, as a young graduate student who doesn't consider himself a collector (yet), I think this lens will hold much more value in the hands of someone who can truly appreciate it. My goal with selling this lens is to finance the purchase of a Leica M2 and, likely, one of the less rare versions of this lens without the infinity lock. Currently I am shooting a Leica iif with a 50mm Elmar and a 35mm Summaron.
Please reach out if you have any questions or want to discuss pricing!
RARE Leica Summilux 35mm f1.4 Canada | Infinity Lock V2 1968 | CLA | Hood/Cap
