35MM SCREW MOUNT LENSES

3.5cm f/3.5 Elmar 

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Introduced at the Leipzig Spring Fair in 1930 alongside the Leica I Model C, the 3.5cm f/3.5 Elmar was the first non-50mm lens made for the Leica³⁶⁰. It was reported on December 23, 1930 that the lens was developed by Wilhelm Albert in 1930³⁶⁴.

In his "Geburtstage der Leitz-Foto-Konstruktionen ab 1927" book, Wilhelm Albert dated the "birthday" of the uncoupled variant of this lens ("Objektiv Elmar 3,5 cm 1:3,5 ohne E.-Kupplung") as November 4, 1929, and noted himself and Oskar Barnack as designers⁵⁷³. The same source dated coupled variant of this lens ("Objektiv Elmar 3,5 cm 1:3,5 mit E.-Kupplungskurve") as December 23, 1930, and noted Wilhelm Albert as designer, and dated the variant of this lens with differential worm ("Objektiv Elmar 3,5 cm 1:3,5 mit Differentialschnecke") as September 9, 1932, and noted Wilhelm Albert as designer⁵⁷³. Interestingly, while not a 3.5cm lens, "Geburtstage der Leitz-Foto-Konstruktionen ab 1927" book dated 2.5cm (as opposed to 3.5cm) lens ("Objektiv Elmar 2,5 cm) as designed by Wilhelm Albert on or before December 23, 1933⁵⁷³.

In terms of optical construction, the lens was similar to the 50mm (5cm) f/3.5 Elmar lens, consisting of four glass elements cemented together³⁶⁰.

Weighing 115 grams, the 3.5cm f/3.5 Elmar measured just 15mm from the lens flange when at the infinity focus position¹⁶⁶. The f-stop scale included the pre-war continental sequence of 3.5, 4.5, 6.3, 9, 12.5, and 18¹⁶⁶. There were rumours of a very late coated post-war version featuring the modern sequence of 3.5, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, and 16¹⁶⁶. The focusing mount was of the rotary type; an infrared focusing mark was unnecessary due to the short focal length¹⁶⁶.

With a depth-of-field scale that exceeded that of 5cm lenses—which were notable innovations in their own right—the Elmar opened up an entirely new field: snapshot photography³⁶⁰. Its slim build made it particularly popular among those who preferred to carry their cameras in their pockets³⁶⁰. 

Variants

• Type 1 was introduced in 1930, featuring a nickel finish and lacking both an infinity lock and rangefinder coupling¹⁶⁶. The lens of Type 1 was matched individually to the Leica I Model C camera with non-standardized mount, with the last three digits of the serial number of the camera engraved on the distance scale ring of the lens¹⁶⁶. This model had a near focus of 18 inches (0.5 meters)¹⁶⁶. In cases where no three-digit number was found on the distance ring, an internal examination would uncover (inscribed in pencil) five-digit serial number of a Leica I Model A that would have been converted to a Leica I Model C camera with non-standardized mount¹⁶⁶. This variant featured a focusing tab positioned at the 11 o'clock position when set at infinity focus¹⁶⁶. According to James L. Lager, this type could have been identified by Ernst Leitz, New York by code-word LEDTF⁵⁴². The f-stop scale included the pre-war continental sequence of 3.5, 4.5, 6.3, 9, 12.5, and 18¹⁶⁶. 
• Type 2 featured an "O" engraved on the distance ring near the focusing lever¹⁶⁶. Aside from this distinction, Type 2 was identical to Type 1¹⁶⁶. According to James L. Lager, this type could have been identified by Ernst Leitz, New York by code-word LEDTF⁵⁴². The f-stop scale included the pre-war continental sequence of 3.5, 4.5, 6.3, 9, 12.5, and 18¹⁶⁶. 
• With the introduction of Type 3 in 1931, close-focus capability was eliminated¹⁶⁶. The closest focusing distance for Type 3 and all subsequent types was standardized at 39 inches (1 meter)¹⁶⁶. Type 3 has no other differences from Type 2¹⁶⁶. According to James L. Lager, this type was the first one identified by Ernst Leitz, New York by code-word EKURZKUP⁵⁴². The f-stop scale included the pre-war continental sequence of 3.5, 4.5, 6.3, 9, 12.5, and 18¹⁶⁶. 
• Type 4 was introduced in 1932 alongside the Leica II Model D¹⁶⁶. It included a pin (sometimes referred to as a bell) infinity lock at the 11 o'clock position and was rangefinder-coupled via a thick cam known as the "snail" cam¹⁶⁶. Most of these lenses their own five- or six-digit serial number¹⁶⁶. The f-stop scale included the pre-war continental sequence of 3.5, 4.5, 6.3, 9, 12.5, and 18¹⁶⁶. 
• Type 5 followed soon, featuring a flat-top infinity lock at the 11 o'clock position and was identified by the serial number 143XXX¹⁶⁶. The only difference between Types 4 and Type 5 lied in the presence of the serial number and the flat-top infinity lock¹⁶⁶. The f-stop scale included the pre-war continental sequence of 3.5, 4.5, 6.3, 9, 12.5, and 18¹⁶⁶. 
• Type 6 was introduced shortly thereafter, starting at serial number 149xxx¹⁶⁶. It had a cone-shaped infinity lock at the 11 o'clock position¹⁶⁶. When present, the serial number was always engraved on the front f-stop adjustment ring¹⁶⁶. The absence of five-digit (9XXXX) serial numbers for these lenses remained a mystery¹⁶⁶. It was theorized that changes in the design of the infinity lock were aimed at maximizing manufacturing efficiency¹⁶⁶. The f-stop scale included the pre-war continental sequence of 3.5, 4.5, 6.3, 9, 12.5, and 18¹⁶⁶. 
• Type 7 was the last and most common version of the nickel finished lens (EKURZKUP)¹⁶⁶. The cone infinity lock was relocated to the familiar 7 o'clock position, and rangefinder coupling via the thick "snail" cam was replaced with a more easily manufactured regular cam, similar to that of the 2.8cm f/6.3 Hektor lens¹⁶⁶. Type 7 was introduced around serial number 182xxx¹⁶⁶. James L. Lager's research dated this type to early 1933⁵⁴⁰. The f-stop scale included the pre-war continental sequence of 3.5, 4.5, 6.3, 9, 12.5, and 18¹⁶⁶. 
• Type 8 (EKURZ CHROM) was introduced around serial number 215xxx and featured a satin chrome finish¹⁶⁶. Otherwise, Type 8 is identical to Type 7 and was most common version of the chrome finished lens¹⁶⁶. James L. Lager's research dated this type to 1933⁵⁴⁰. It is worth mentioning that a small batch of Type 8 lenses was produced for the German army in 1940, beginning with serial number 5577XX¹⁶⁶. These lenses were engraved "HEER" ("Army") on the front f-stop adjustment ring, along with the serial number¹⁶⁶. In 1941, another small batch was made for the Luftwaffe, beginning with serial number 5669XX, marked "Luftwaffen Eigentum" around the f-stop scale ring¹⁶⁶. The f-stop scale included the pre-war continental sequence of 3.5, 4.5, 6.3, 9, 12.5, and 18¹⁶⁶. 
• The introduction of Type 9 in 1941 brought antireflection coating, although the outdated pre-war f-stop sequence was retained for unknown reasons¹⁶⁶. It is possible that this was due to a large stock of pre-war engraved f-stop rings¹⁶⁶. The f-stop scale included the pre-war continental sequence of 3.5, 4.5, 6.3, 9, 12.5, and 18¹⁶⁶. 
• Type 10 had factory coating and were produced between 1949-1950⁵⁴⁰. Some were rumoured to have modern f-stop sequence (3.5, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, and 16)¹⁶⁶. There is at least one lens (number 643423) that confirmed this rumour (see Lot 38 of 32nd Leitz Photographica Auction)³⁹¹. 

Lens hoods

The adjustable FIKUS lens hood was designed for a focal length of 3.5 cm³⁶⁰. It was discontinued due to its tendency to cause vignetting when used with A36 filters³⁶⁰. However, it could still be used with filters as long as they were of the 19 mm screw-in variety³⁶⁰. 

A Wetzlar-made⁵⁴² FLQOO 3.5 cm hood, originally available in black and later in chrome, and engraved "Elmar 3.5cm Ernst Leitz Wetzlar Germany"⁵⁴² was offered³⁶⁰. 

Another Wetzlar-made lens hood was available for the lens: FOOKH⁵⁴². This lens hood was engraved "Summaron-Elmar 3.5cm" and was available in black and chrome versions⁵⁴².

Ernst Leitz, New York, offered its own lens hood engraved "Elmar 35mm E. Leitz N.Y."⁵⁴². The lens hood was certainly available in chrome version and came in two variants: first one had "E. Leitz N.Y." engraved on the rim, and the second had "Elmar 35mm E. Leitz N.Y." engraved on the rim⁵⁴².

 

Viewfinders

 The earliest viewfinder specifically designed for the  3.5cm f/3.5 Elmar  was the WEISU ³⁶⁰ . Initially, it was finished in black, but later versions were available in chrome ³⁶⁰ . Eventually, the chrome version was remodeled into a tapered, torpedo-like shape and was fitted with a frame for a focal length of 35mm ³⁶⁰ . In one author's opinion, the  WEISU  served as a prototype for a model intended to replace the combination of the 50mm viewfinder and the 135mm swing-over mask occasionally found on the Leica I Model C ³⁶⁰ . 

Subsequently, several additional viewfinders were introduced³⁶⁰. Two of these, VIDOM and VIOOH, were designed with frames accommodating focal lengths of 35mm, 50mm, 90mm, and 135mm³⁶⁰. 

It's also worth mentioning the AUFSU waist level finder, which was used with a swing-over 35mm lens³⁶⁰. The first model of the AUFSU was a bolt-on conversion, used prior to the availability of a new casting that was introduced alongside the 28mm Hektor and the matching 28mm swing-over mask in 1935³⁶⁰.

RASUK was also available for use with this lens⁵⁴².

Military

In 1940, 87 3.5cm f/3.5 Elmar lenses, with serial numbers ranging from 515381 through 555706, were delivered to the German military organizations³⁶⁴.

In 1941, 60 3.5cm f/3.5 Elmar lenses, with serial numbers ranging from 555622 through 570197, were delivered to the German military organizations³⁶⁴.

Closing Remarks

The 3.5cm f/3.5 Elmar remained in production until 1949, with total production reaching about 40,000 units³⁶⁰. Helmut Lagler reported that overall, there were 264126 lenses produced between 1930 and 1949, with serial numbers ranging from 101001 through 695000⁴³⁹. The highest known serial number reported by one author was 694055¹⁶⁶. In 1949, the 3.5cm f/3.5 Elmar lens was eventually replaced by the 3.5cm f/3.5 Summaron due to the demands of color photography, which required lenses with minimal vignetting⁴⁴².

3.5cm f/4.5 Elmar 

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3.5cm f/3.5 Summaron

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The 3.5cm f/3.5 Summaron (code-named SOONC) lens, perfected by Professor Max Berek during the war¹⁶⁶, was announced in 1946 but did not become available until 1949, when it replaced the 3.5cm f/3.5 Elmar lens³⁶⁰. Some sources claimed that the 3.5cm f/3.5 Summaron was believed to first appeared in 1946, with an initial production run of 700 units, which should have serial numbers less than 700000¹⁶⁶. James L. Lager referenced Dennis Laney's "Leica Collectors Guide" book and asserted that those lenses from 1946 would have carried serial numbers between 601001 and 633000⁵⁴⁰. Helmut Lagler reported that overall, there were 740700 lenses produced between 1949 and 1958, with serial numbers ranging from 706001 through 1640500⁴³⁹, rendering the 1946 production theory somewhat uncertain¹⁶⁶.

The lens featured a 6-element, 4-group symmetric Gauss achromat design, providing improved contrast, resolving power, and more uniform illumination compared to its predecessor, 3.5cm f/3.5 Elmar lens¹⁶⁶. All examples were fully coated¹⁶⁶. Two of the elements in that lens were single, while the other four were arranged in pairs³⁵⁸. Vignetting could be a significant issue when the angle of view increased³⁵⁸. To address this, Leitz had enlarged the diameter of the front element in the Summaron lens beyond what was typically needed for a maximum aperture of f/3.5³⁵⁸. Additionally, the back element was specifically designed to magnify angular rays, which helped to increase the light in the corners of the image and effectively reduced vignetting³⁵⁸.

The 3.5cm f/3.5 Summaron offered a total field of view of 68°, with a vertical field of 38° and a horizontal angle of view of 55°³⁵⁸. It featured a factory coating that minimized reflection, haze, and lens flare, and it was housed in a sturdy, non-collapsible barrel with a click-stop diaphragm³⁵⁸.

"Summaron" had been a registered trademark of Leica Camera AG since October 3, 1940⁵³⁴.

Variants

Variants of the 3.5cm f/3.5 Summaron Model³⁶⁰:

• Variant 1 (numbered 1423140 and below, dated 1956 and earlier⁵⁴²) came with rotating mount and A36 filter mount³⁶⁰. This was a screw mount lens³⁶⁰. The available f-stops included 3.5, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, and 22, all of which were click-stopped¹⁶⁶. The rotary A36 accessory size focusing mount had a near focus distance of 1 meter, and no special infrared focus mark was provided¹⁶⁶. 
• Variant 2 (numbered 1423141 and above⁵⁴²) with non-rotating mount and E39 filter mount³⁶⁰. This was a screw mount lens³⁶⁰. One interesting prototype E39 3.5cm f/3.5 lens number 1106582 was illustrated on page 12 of Viewfinder 13(4) of 1980 and described as "Factory records indicate that it is one of a kind. It was picked at random from a large batch of wide angle lenses to be sent to model shop for experimental purposes. Date of release from the works was February 6, 1954. The reason for the modification remains unknown; perhaps it is related to the introduction of the M3 with its set of E-39 lenses in that year." The same lens appeared on xingzhelitao.com in 2016 and was captioned "Experimental use of E-39 filter on Summaron-SM 3.5/35mm (No.1106582)". The prototype E39 3.5cm f/3.5 Summaron was lighter and more compact than the production version¹⁶⁶. The production model was notorious for fogging or etching of the internal elements if it was stored with the diaphragms in any position other than at maximum aperture¹⁶⁶. The f-stop sequence and near focus distance remained unchanged from Variant 1¹⁶⁶. This was the second most common version of the 3.5cm f/3.5 Summaron, with approximately 10000 units sold¹⁶⁶. 
• Variant 3 was similar to Variant 2 but with bayonet mount³⁶⁰.
• Variant 4 had a fixed-focus³⁶⁰; made to special order: with screw mount, this variant was fitted to the Leica Ig Post camera³⁶⁰, had fixed focus⁵⁴² and aperture locked at f/8⁵⁴⁰; with bayonet mount, to the Leica M1 or Leica MD Post camera³⁶⁰.

Accessories

Accessories for the A36 variations included: 

• 35mm Albada-style viewfinder (SBLOO)¹⁶⁶
• universal finder (VIOOH)⁵⁴²
• lens hood (FOOKH)¹⁶⁶
• 1:1 copy device¹⁶⁶
• All A36 filters were compatible¹⁶⁶. The filters were of clamp-on variety⁵⁴².

Accessories for the E39 variations included: 

• 35mm Albada-style viewfinder (SBLOO)¹⁶⁶
• universal finder (VIOOH)⁵⁴²
• lens hood (ITDOO) (1956)¹⁶⁶ (engraved with "Summaron 3.5 cm   Summicron 5 cm" on the rim⁵⁴²)
• lens hood (IROOA) (1959)¹⁶⁶ (early ones engraved with "Summaron 3.5 cm (on the new line) Summicron 5 cm" on the rim, and later ones engraved with "1:2/50 1:2/35 IROOA 1:2.8/35 1:3.5/35" on the rim⁵⁴²)
• E39 screw-in⁵⁴⁰ filters¹⁶⁶

Closing Remarks

In 1958, a faster 3.5cm f/2.8 Summaron lens was introduced³⁶⁰. Both the 3.5cm f/3.5 Summaron and 3.5cm f/2.8 Summaron models were produced simultaneously until 1960, when the 3.5cm f/3.5 Summaron model was discontinued³⁶⁰. Rogliatti reported a production total of 80219 for the more common 3.5cm f/3.5 Summaron lens¹⁶⁶.  

3.5cm f/4 Snapshot Elmar 

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35mm f/2.8 Summaron 

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The faster 35mm f/2.8 Summaron (SIMOO/11006³⁶¹) lens was developed in 1958 by recalculating the 3.5cm f/3.5 Summaron lens³⁶⁰. The 35mm f/2.8 Summaron utilized rare Lanthanum glass³⁶⁰. This innovation increased maximum aperture by one stop, while maintaining the same six-element design and its original symmetry³⁶⁰. The lens was initially equipped with a screw mount and was available in this form only from 1958 to 1962, as its introduction coincided with the end of the era of screw-mounted Leicas³⁶⁰. A prototype of this lens, numbered 0000463, had been documented³⁶⁰. 

Variants 

Variants of the 35mm f/2.8 Summaron³⁶⁰ were:

• Variant 1 came with a screw mount and A36 filter mount³⁶⁰. This variant could focus to a distance of 1 meter¹⁶⁶. One such example, number 880901, dated circa 1953, was sold for 28800 Euros including buyer's premium at the 45th Leitz Photographica Auction on November 23, 2024³⁷⁸. The lot had the following description: "An interesting screw-mount prototype Summaron with a f:2.8 maximal aperture (instead of f:3.5), in near-mint condition, engraved near the lens mount with the number of optical formula B2572..."³⁷⁸. 2 similar prototypes, 1106409 and 1227419, were illustrated on page 24 of James L. Lager's "Leica: An Illustrated History - Volume 2 - Lenses - Signed Deluxe Limited Edition" book⁵⁴². James L. Lager asserted that only 3 known of this variant were known to him, and all of them were "trial or test" models⁵⁴². According to James L. Lager, this variant was very unusual and there were no catalogue listings for it⁵⁴². The author of this website knew about existence of another prototype, number 1227414.
• Variant 2 came with non-rotating screw mount and E39 filter mount³⁶⁰. Including rare earth glasses and special lens coatings introduced in 1960¹⁶⁶. It featured a lightweight parallel focusing mount with both feet and meter distance scales¹⁶⁶. The original 7 o'clock position cone-style infinity lock had been replaced with a crescent push tab design¹⁶⁶. The stop sequence remained unchanged¹⁶⁶. This variant could focus to a distance of 1 meter¹⁶⁶. The prototype E39 35mm f/2.8 Summaron was lighter and more compact than the production version¹⁶⁶. The production model was notorious for fogging or etching of the internal elements when stored with the diaphragms in any position other than at maximum aperture¹⁶⁶.
• Variant 3 was a rare chrome finished lens with three crowns engraved at the rear of the mount, with about 100 units sold to the Swedish military¹⁶⁶. This variant represented the finest development of the Summaron design and was highly sought after by collectors and users, leading to significant prices due to its limited production¹⁶⁶. 
  

Accessories

Accessories for the A36 variations included: 

• 35mm Albada-style viewfinder (SBLOO)¹⁶⁶
• lens hood (FOOKH)¹⁶⁶
• 1:1 copy device¹⁶⁶
• All A36 filters were compatible¹⁶⁶. 

Accessories for the E39 variations included: 

• lens hood (ITDOO) (1956)¹⁶⁶
• lens hood (IROOA) (1959)¹⁶⁶
• E39 screw-in filters¹⁶⁶

Closing Remarks

The lens was in catalog from 1958 till 1963³⁶¹. 

Both the 3.5cm f/3.5 Summaron and 35mm f/2.8 Summaron models were produced simultaneously until 1960³⁶⁰. From 1960 until the discontinuation of all screw mount lenses in 1963, only 5289 units of the screw mount 35mm f/2.8 Summaron were produced¹⁶⁶. 

Helmut Lagler reported that overall, there were 266500 screw mount and bayonet mount 35mm f/2.8 Summaron lenses produced between 1958 and 1974, with serial numbers ranging from 1615001 through 23125000⁴³⁹.

35mm f/2 Summicron 

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The extremely rare¹³⁶ screw-mount 35mm f/2 Summicron lens (SAWOO¹³⁶/11008³⁶¹) was introduced in 1958¹³⁶ with serial number 1630501⁴³⁹. This lens remained in the catalogue from 1958 to 1963³⁶¹.

This lens came with E39 filter mount; focused down to 1m and featured chrome finish³⁶⁰ although some black-painted versions are known to exist³⁶¹ (such as 1653562 dated 1959⁴²³, 1686609 dated 1960⁵³³, 1853803 dated 1961⁵⁴², 1997235 ⁵⁹⁴, 1997237 ⁵⁹⁴, 1997243 dated 1963⁴²⁴, 2099522 dated 1967³⁷⁸) and were made by Leitz to special order³⁷⁸.

A special chrome finish lens, made of aluminum and numbered 0000221 was

The lens was made both in Germany and Canada¹³⁶. The Wetzlar and Midland lenses were identical except for minor variations in the lens coating color¹³⁶. Both versions shared an 8-element, 6-group design that originated with Dr. Walter Mandler at Midland in 1957¹³⁶. The extensive use of rare-earth glasses and exotic coatings resulted in a very fast wide-angle lens with superb optical performance¹³⁶. The minimum aperture was f/16, and the lens featured a parallel mount engraved in feet and meters¹³⁶. 

Serial numbers ranged from 1630501 to 2286450 for both screw mount and bayonet mount lenses³⁶¹. Among these:

• Lenses with serial numbers 16522xx were made in Midland in 1959 and were finished in chrome¹³⁶.
• Lenses with serial numbers 16556xx were made in Midland in 1959 and were finished in chrome¹³⁶.
• Lenses with serial numbers 16714xx were made in Wetzlar in 1959 and were finished in chrome¹³⁶.
• Lenses with serial numbers 16862xx were made in Wetzlar in 1959 and were finished in chrome¹³⁶.
• Lenses with serial numbers 17431xx were made in Wetzlar in 1960 and were finished in chrome¹³⁶.
• Lenses with serial numbers 18538xx were made in Midland in 1961 and were finished in black¹³⁶.
• Lenses with serial numbers 19972xx were made in Wetzlar in 1963 and were finished in black¹³⁶.
• Lenses with serial numbers 21032xx were made in Midland in 1965 and were finished in chrome¹³⁶.

Counterfeits

There were some counterfeit copies of 35mm f/2 Summicron lenses¹³⁶. An unfortunate practice involved modifying bayonet mount lenses, originally designed for the Leica M2 and Leica M3 cameras, by removing their factory bayonet adapters to convert them to a screw mount¹³⁶. This was often done by loosening a small set screw¹³⁶. While the modified lens would fit onto a screw mount camera and was optically identical to the original, it was important to note that the focusing helix of the bayonet mount lenses was not designed to work with screw mount rangefinders¹³⁶. This mismatch could potentially lead to focusing issues¹³⁶. 

Accessories

Accessories included:

• VIOOH viewfinder⁵⁴²
• SBLOO viewfinder⁵⁴²
• IROOA lens hood⁵⁴²
• lens hood 12585⁵⁴²

Closing Remarks

Only 577 of this lens were made before it was discontinued in 1963¹³⁶ which suggested that the Leica III-series cameras had diminished in status³⁶¹. However, this number may have only applied to the Wetzlar-manufactured lenses; if so, it was significantly low, as a substantial number were produced concurrently at Midland¹³⁶.

35mm f/2 Summicron ASPH  

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In 1999, Leica AG in Solms produced a special edition screw-mount 35mm f/2 Summicron ASPH lens (catalog number 11608³⁴⁹)   exclusively for Lemon Camera, Japanese Leica dealer (see page 108 of Camera Review No. 54, published by Asahi Sonorama (Tokyo)). This lens was made with a bright chrome finish and was mathematically and optically equivalent to its contemporary Leica M counterparts²⁵².      

Originally intended solely for the Japanese market, some of these lenses were returned to Germany because they were not all sold²⁵². The exact total number of lenses produced was unknown, as the Leica Camera Company did not disclose this information²⁵². Furthermore, these lenses were never listed in the official price catalogs²⁵². The motivation for producing these screw-mount lenses remained speculative²⁵². A total of 1080 lenses were produced, with 65 of them shipped to New Jersey²⁵⁶. Notably, the hood for this lens (catalog number 12504²⁵²), unlike its M counterpart, featured a round metal design that could be twisted off to accommodate drop-in filters²⁵⁶. This was different from the plastic rectangular hood that came with the M equivalent lens²⁵⁶.

The lens had a length of 33.5mm and weight of 0.33kg²⁵². The closest focusing distance was 1m²⁵². 

The price in October of 2000 was 1705.69 USD and, by July of 2001, increased to 3144.55 USD²⁵².