85MM SCREW MOUNT LENSES

8.5cm f/1.5 Summarex

Alexander Smakula filed a patent for the process of vapor deposition of anti-reflective coatings on glass lenses at Zeiss in Jena in 1935³⁶⁴. Dr. Max Berek developed a symmetrical 7-element, 2-pair modified Gauss design, for which he obtained a patent in 1937¹¹⁶.

During the Second World War, companies involved in the production of war-critical optical equipment were required to share their specialized knowledge with one another³⁶⁴. As a result, Leitz was obligated to apply the coating process patented by Zeiss to optical components for war-relevant equipment starting in 1941, which likely included some Leica lenses³⁶⁴. Dr. Max Berek created the name "Summarex" by combining the well-known Leitz SUMMAR trademark with the name of his pet Alsatian dog, Rex¹¹⁶.

Prototype

9cm f/1.5 Summarex Prototype

In his "Geburtstage der Leitz-Foto-Konstruktionen ab 1927" book, Wilhelm Albert dated the "birthday" of 9cm f/1.5 Summarex lens ("Objektiv Summarex 9 cm 1:1,5 mit E.-Kupplung") as September 9, 1939, and noted himself as designer⁵⁷³. This lens was widely considered to be a prototype of the 8.5cm f/1.5 Summarex lens⁵¹².

An example of such prototype, number 541021, dated circa 1940⁴²⁹, was illustrated in Mr. Lars Netopil's "Rare Leica" book in 2014⁵⁹⁴. It was sold for 32000 Euros including buyer's premium at the 7th Wetzlar Camera Auction on October 11, 2025⁴²⁹. The lot was described as "The early experimental models of the famous Summarex were still labelled 9 cm...The lens offered here in a significantly different design from the series-produced lenses...Provenance: Property of a European collector."⁴²⁹.

In the production book of Leitz Company, the serial numbers from 541051 to 541100 were reserved for black lacquered prototypes⁵¹². It was likely that not all of these numbers were utilized, so the reserved numbers were frequently employed for repairs⁵¹². According to the records, only six lenses were produced, and they were numbered 541053, 541054, 541055, 541056, 541057, and 541058⁵¹². These were partially branded under the name "Summar"⁵¹². Of these 6 lenses:

The 9 cm f/1.5 Summar number 541056, produced in October⁵¹² 1940, was uncoated⁴³⁹. The lens was illustrated on page 71 of James L. Lager's "Leica: An Illustrated History - Volume 2 - Lenses - Signed Deluxe Limited Edition" book⁵⁴². The photograph was credited to "Bellon photo"⁵⁴². Also, the lens was referenced in Daniel Claeyssen's "Ein unbekanntes Objektiv für die Leica mit Schraubgewinde: Summar 1,5/90" article of Vidom 33 in 1986⁴³⁹.
The company’s shipping records indicated that on November 25, 1941, the Leitz shipped a prototype 9cm f/1.5 Summarex lens with serial number 541058 to Berlin for testing and evaluation¹¹⁶. This lens was featured in the Leitz brochure titled "Auswechselbare Leica-Objektive"¹¹⁶published in 1943⁵¹². This early version of the lens had straight rear section, which was different from the design of later models⁵¹². This lens was illustrated on page 71 of James L. Lager's "Leica: An Illustrated History - Volume 2 - Lenses - Signed Deluxe Limited Edition" book⁵⁴².

Black paint 8.5cm f/1.5 Summarex

In his "Geburtstage der Leitz-Foto-Konstruktionen ab 1927" book, Wilhelm Albert dated the "birthday" of 8.5cm f/1.5 Summarex lens with differential compensation ("Objektiv Summarex f=8,5 cm 1:1,5 mit Differenzausgleich") as October 4, 1940, and noted himself as designer⁵⁷³. The black lacquered 8.5cm f/1.5 Summarex (later code-named SOOCX⁸²) lens was added to the product range on July 15, 1943, and the production began with the serial number 593001⁵¹². A total of only 276 lenses within the serial number range from 593000 to 593349 were produced, indicating that 74 serial numbers were not used⁵¹².

Known Lenses

The first 100 lenses (from serial number 593001 to 593100) were delivered to the Wehrmacht in Berlin during July and August 1943⁵¹². Most of these lenses were treated with an anti-reflection coating known as Blaubelag ("Blue coating"). In addition to the international f-stop scale, they featured an aperture index marked with red dots⁵¹². This series of lenses had a one-piece rear lens barrel, lacking any protrusions or the finely corrugated ring that appeared in later versions⁵¹². Among them:

593001 was shipped as "SOOCX B" (for Summarex Belag ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating)) on July 15, 1943, to Berlin, Germany as part of order number 29777⁵⁴⁴.
593002 was shipped as "SOOCX B" (for Summarex Belag ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating)) on July 15, 1943, to Berlin, Germany as part of order number 29777⁵⁴⁴.
593003 was shipped as "SOOCX B" (for Summarex Belag ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating)) on August 26, 1943, to Berlin, Germany as part of order number 29777⁵⁴⁴.
593004 was shipped as "SOOCX B" (for Summarex Belag ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating)) on July 15, 1943, to Berlin, Germany as part of order number 29777⁵⁴⁴.
593005 was shipped as "SOOCX B" (for Summarex Belag ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating)) on August 26, 1943, to Berlin, Germany as part of order number 29777⁵⁴⁴.
593006 was shipped as "SOOCX B" (for Summarex Belag ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating)) on July 15, 1943, to Berlin, Germany as part of order number 29777⁵⁴⁴.
593007 was shipped as "SOOCX B" (for Summarex Belag ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating)) on July 15, 1943, to Berlin, Germany as part of order number 29777⁵⁴⁴.
593008 was shipped as "SOOCX B" (for Summarex Belag ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating)) on July 15, 1943, to Berlin, Germany as part of order number 29777⁵⁴⁴.
593009 was shipped as "SOOCX B" (for Summarex Belag ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating)) on July 15, 1943, to Berlin, Germany as part of order number 29777⁵⁴⁴.
593010 was shipped as "SOOCX B" (for Summarex Belag ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating)) on July 15, 1943, to Berlin, Germany as part of order number 29777⁵⁴⁴.
593011 was shipped as "SOOCX B" (for Summarex Belag ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating)) on August 12, 1943, to Berlin, Germany as part of order number 29777⁵⁴⁴.
593012 was shipped as "SOOCX B" (for Summarex Belag ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating)) on July 15, 1943, to Berlin, Germany as part of order number 29777⁵⁴⁴. This lens was auctioned off at the 1st Westlicht Photographica Auction.
593013 was shipped as "SOOCX B" (for Summarex Belag ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating)) on July 15, 1943, to Berlin, Germany as part of order number 29777⁵⁴⁴.
593014 was shipped as "SOOCX B" (for Summarex Belag ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating)) on August 26, 1943, to Berlin, Germany as part of order number 29777⁵⁴⁴.
593015 was shipped as Summarex without focusing mount (?) on July 6, 1943, to Reichspost in Berlin, Germany as part of order number 11643⁵⁴⁴.
593016 was shipped as "SOOCX B" (for Summarex Belag ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating)) on August 26, 1943, to Berlin, Germany as part of order number 29777⁵⁴⁴.
593017 was shipped as "SOOCX B" (for Summarex Belag ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating)) on July 15, 1943, to Berlin, Germany as part of order number 29777⁵⁴⁴. It was auctioned off at the 38th Leitz Photographica Auction in November of 2022. The lens was sold on eBay for 9000 Euros on January 9, 2025. The lens was featured in "Leica HEAVEN EP 2" of Kevin Fickling's YouTube channel.
593018 did not have an entry in the delivery records⁵⁴⁴.
593019 was shipped as "SOOCX B" (for Summarex Belag ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating)) on August 26, 1943, to Berlin, Germany as part of order number 29777⁵⁴⁴. It was auctioned off at the 31st Westlicht Photographica Auction.
593020 was shipped as "SOOCX B" (for Summarex Belag ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating)) on July 28, 1943, to Berlin, Germany as part of order number 29777⁵⁴⁴. It was illustrated on the page 217 of Paul-Henry van Hasbroeck's "The Leica: A History Illustrating every Model and Accessory" book³⁶⁰ .
593021 was shipped as "SOOCX B" (for Summarex Belag ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating)) on July 15, 1943, to Berlin, Germany as part of order number 29777⁵⁴⁴.
593022 was shipped as "SOOCX B" (for Summarex Belag ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating)) on August 12, 1943, to Berlin, Germany as part of order number 29777⁵⁴⁴.
593023 was shipped as "SOOCX B" (for Summarex Belag ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating)) on August 12, 1943, to Berlin, Germany as part of order number 29777⁵⁴⁴.
593024 was shipped as "SOOCX B" (for Summarex Belag ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating)) on August 26, 1943, to Berlin, Germany as part of order number 29777⁵⁴⁴.
593025 was shipped as "SOOCX B" (for Summarex Belag ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating)) on July 28, 1943, to Berlin, Germany as part of order number 29777⁵⁴⁴.
593026 was shipped as "SOOCX B" (for Summarex Belag ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating)) on July 15, 1943, to Berlin, Germany as part of order number 29777⁵⁴⁴.
593027 was shipped as "SOOCX B" (for Summarex Belag ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating)) on August 12, 1943, to Berlin, Germany as part of order number 29777⁵⁴⁴.
593028 was shipped as "SOOCX B" (for Summarex Belag ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating)) on July 15, 1943, to Berlin, Germany as part of order number 29777⁵⁴⁴.
593029 was shipped as "SOOCX B" (for Summarex Belag ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating)) on July 15, 1943, to Berlin, Germany as part of order number 29777⁵⁴⁴.
593030 was shipped as "SOOCX B" (for Summarex Belag ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating)) on August 12, 1943, to Berlin, Germany as part of order number 29777⁵⁴⁴. It was auctioned off at the 4th Wetzlar Camera Auctions on October 8, 2022.
593031 was shipped as "SOOCX B" (for Summarex Belag ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating)) on July 28, 1943, to Berlin, Germany as part of order number 29777⁵⁴⁴.
593032 was shipped as "SOOCX B" (for Summarex Belag ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating)) on August 26, 1943, to Berlin, Germany as part of order number 29777⁵⁴⁴.
593033 was auctioned off at the 38th Leitz Photographica Auction.
593044 was auctioned off at the 46th Leitz Photographica Auction.
593045 was listed for sale at Classic Connection in December of 2025.
593053 was auctioned off at the 16th Westlicht Photographica Auction.
593065 was mentioned in Leica Forum post.
593075 dated 1943 had "SS-KBA300" engraved on the lens mount⁵⁴⁰. This lens was illustrated on page 89 of James L. Lager's "Leica: An Illustrated History - Volume 1 - Cameras - Signed Deluxe Limited Edition" book⁵⁴⁰. The photograph was credited "Schmidt Photo"⁵⁴⁰.
593076 dated 1943 had "SS-KBA 297" engraved on the lens mount⁵⁴⁰. This lens was illustrated on page 89 of James L. Lager's "Leica: An Illustrated History - Volume 1 - Cameras - Signed Deluxe Limited Edition" book⁵⁴⁰. It was illustrated in Viewfinder 15(3)¹¹⁶. Lens was auctioned off at the 32nd Leitz Photographica Auction and then later at the 35th Leitz Photographica Auction.
593083 was auctioned off on May 8, 2021 at the LP Foto Auktioner.
593085 was auctioned off at the L&H Photographica Auction 3 on May 3, 2014 and then later at the Ostlicht Camera Auction on June 5, 2024 and was described as "delivered on 12th August 1943 to Berlin with delivery number 29777 for military use.".
593090 was auctioned off at the Lidong Camera Auction on June 14, 2025.
593091 was auctioned off at Flints Auctions on May 21, 2020.
593093 was auctioned off at the 8th Westlicht Photographica Auction.
593096 dated 1943 was discussed on a photo.net post from 2002.

From May 1945, another set of 100 lenses with serial numbers ranging from 593101 to 593200 was mainly distributed to German military bases of the Allied forces⁵¹². Among them:

593101 was shipped as "Summarex B" ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating)⁵⁴⁴on January 29, 1946 as a part of order number 487⁵⁴⁴. According to one source, this lens was shipped to Ernst Leitz in New York on January 29, 1946¹¹⁶.
593102 did not have an entry in the delivery records⁵⁴⁴. It was auctioned off at the OstLicht Camera Auction Autumn 2024 Shanghai on November 16, 2024.
593103 was shipped as "Summarex B" ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating) on June 30, 1945 to Lt. Thomas S. Noble as a part of order number 8143⁵⁴⁴. Lt. Thomas S. Noble was likely Thomas Satterwhite Noble III (1914 - 2005), who during World War II was "First Lieutenant, Combat Photographer, Signal Corps, attached to the Third Armored Division “Spearhead” in England, Belgium, France, Germany" and after World War II was "in charge of getting the Leica camera factory, in Wetzlar, Germany, back into production. He was honorably discharged from military service as a First Lieutenant" (source).
593104 did not have an entry in the delivery records⁵⁴⁴.
593105 did not have an entry in the delivery records⁵⁴⁴.
593106 was shipped as "Summarex B" ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating) on May 16, 1945 to a Captain of US Army as a part of order number 8068⁵⁴⁴.
593107 was shipped as "Summarex B" ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating) on December 19, 1945 as a part of order number 14205 (or 14206)⁵⁴⁴.
593108 was shipped as "Summarex B" ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating) on January 16, 1946⁵⁴⁴.
593109 was shipped as "Summarex" on October 6, 1945 to Lt. Snyder (likely Lt. Paul C. Snyder, judging by engraving on the lens) as a part of order number 13263⁵⁴⁴. According to Leica Society International web article titled "Snyder at Wetzlar", "Indiana native Paul Snyder served with the United States Army in the European Theatre (France from 1944). A few days after Wetzlar, Germany was liberated, Lt. Snyder was assigned to be the U.S. Army representative in charge of Leitz Wetzlar operations. After the War ended, then Captain Snyder was separated from the Army in 1947 but remained at Leitz Wetzlar as the U.S. State Department Representative. During his tenure at Wetzlar, he purchased Leitz photographic equipment including the Leica IIIc, numerous lenses, and many small accessories." The Summarex lens was later auctioned off 31st WestLicht Photographica Auction.
593110 did not have an entry in the delivery records⁵⁴⁴.
593111 did not have an entry in the delivery records⁵⁴⁴, but later was auctioned off the 30st WestLicht Photographica Auction.
593112 was shipped on June 9, 1949⁵⁴⁴.
593113 did not have an entry in the delivery records⁵⁴⁴.
593114 was shipped as "Summarex B" ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating) on December 19, 1945 as a part of order number 14203 to "Capt. G.G. Amsterdam" (?) ⁵⁴⁴.
593115 was shipped as "Summarex B" ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating) on December 19, 1945 as a part of order number 14205 to "Col. E. S. Gilsburg" (?) ⁵⁴⁴.
593116 was shipped as "Summarex" on July 31, 1945 as a part of order number 81903 to "Col. H. B. Lotta" (?) ⁵⁴⁴.
593117 did not have an entry in the delivery records⁵⁴⁴but it was mentioned in uglyhedgehog.com post.
593118 was shipped on December 21, 1948 as a part of order number 13328⁵⁴⁴.
593119 did not have an entry in the delivery records⁵⁴⁴but was housed in the Leitz museum and showcased an all-chrome rear section and a reversible black enamelled brass hood; it was most likely a "BITZA"¹¹⁶. It was illustrated in Mr. Lars Netopil's "Museum Leica" book in 2018⁵⁹⁶.
593120 did not have an entry in the delivery records⁵⁴⁴, but was auctioned off at Yahoo Auctions Japan.
593121 did not have an entry in the delivery records⁵⁴⁴.
593122 was shipped as "Summarex B" ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating) on May 16, 1946 as a part of order number 14593⁵⁴⁴.
593123 did not have an entry in the delivery records⁵⁴⁴.
593124 was shipped as "Summarex" on May 16, 1945 as a part of order number 8074 to "Lt. H. Parker"⁵⁴⁴.
593125 was shipped as "Summarex B" ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating) on January 26, 1946 as a part of order number 296(?) to "Capt ..."⁵⁴⁴.
593126 was shipped as "Summarex B" ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating) on December 13, 1948 (?) as a part of order number 13175 ⁵⁴⁴.
593127 was shipped as "Summarex B" ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating) on November 27, 1945 to a Colonel "H. C. Mulvaney Jr" (?) of the US Army as a part of order number 13469⁵⁴⁴.
593128 did not have an entry in the delivery records⁵⁴⁴.
593129 was shipped as "Summarex B" ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating) on January 17, 1946 to Sergeant of the US Army E. A. Haley as a part of order number 7180 (?)⁵⁴⁴.
593130 did not have an entry in the delivery records⁵⁴⁴.
593131 was shipped as "Summarex B" ("B" for "Blaubelag" = blue coating) on March 25, 1946 to a Major C.E. Nelson as a part of order number 1161 (?)⁵⁴⁴.
593132 was shipped as "Summarex" on July 30, 1945 to a "Major Smitto ?" as a part of order number 8183⁵⁴⁴.
593133 did not have an entry in the delivery records⁵⁴⁴.
593134 was shipped as "Summarex" on March 25, 1946 as a part of order number 1123⁵⁴⁴.
593135 was shipped as "SOOCX" on December 9, 1949 as a part of order number 23677?⁵⁴⁴.
593136 was shipped as "Summarex" on September 19, 1945 to Mr. Walter Campbell as a part of order number 13233⁵⁴⁴.
593137 was shipped as "Summarex" on July 19, 1944 as a part of order number 10066⁵⁴⁴.
593137 was shipped as "Summarex" on July 18, 1945 to Major Bengel ? as a part of order number 8173⁵⁴⁴.
593139 did not have an entry in the delivery records⁵⁴⁴.
593140 was shipped as "Summarex" on June 15, 1945 to Lieutenant ? T. Hollcraft as a part of order number 806?⁵⁴⁴.
593141 was shipped as "Summarex" on March 15, 1949 as a part of order number 34 to Leitz New York⁵⁴⁴.
593142 was shipped as "Summarex" on February 13, 1946 as a part of order number 1085 to a US Army Sergeant⁵⁴⁴.
593143 was shipped as "Summarex" on November 4, 1945 to a US Army Major⁵⁴⁴.
593144 did not have an entry in the delivery records⁵⁴⁴.
593149 was mentioned in Leica Forum post.
593150 appeared in the @365daysofcameras's Instagram video in August of 2026. According to the owner of the lens at the time, the lens "came out from a storage unit that was near Chicago".
593155 was mentioned in Leica Forum post.
593160 was auctioned off at the 13th WestLicht Photographica Auction and then at the 44th Leitz Photographica Auction.
593170 was auctioned off at the 3rd Wetzlar Camera Auctions on October 9, 2021.
593174 was mentioned in Leica Forum post.
593176 was mentioned in Leica Forum post.
593181 was illustrated in Viewfinder 15(3)¹¹⁶.
593184 was auctioned off at the 7th Wetzlar Camera Auctions on October 11, 2025.
593186 was illustrated in Viewfinder 15(3) and was part of Charles Messer collection¹¹⁶.
593192 was auctioned off at an American auction on November 17, 2018.
593193 was auctioned off at the 5th Wetzlar Camera Auctions on October 7, 2023. The lens came from the Allen collection.

The remaining 76 lenses ranging from 593201 to 593327 in the series were likely sold to private buyers through the end of 1949, primarily to journalists and professional photographers. Among them:

593207 was auctioned off at the 6th Wetzlar Camera Auctions on October 12, 2024, and was described as "...The lens offered here was first delivered to the Herborn wildlife photographer Walter Wissenbach on September 13th 1949 and later returned to Leitz. From 1953 onwards it was part of the Leitz loan stock before being sold to factory employees...".
593212 was auctioned off at Christie's on November 25, 1999.
593232 was auctioned off at Christie's on January 14, 1999.
593235 was auctioned off at the 1st Wetzlar CAmera Auctions.
593239 was auctioned off at 23rd WestLicht Photographica Auction.
593241 was auctioned off at the 44th Leitz Photographica Auction. According to the catalogue, it was delivered to New York on March 15, 1949.
593244 was illustrated in Mr. Lars Netopil's "Rare Leica" book in 2014⁵⁹⁴.
593248 was was delivered on August 27, 1948. Then later, it was auctioned off at 55th LP Foto Auctions on April 22, 2017, then at the same auction on April 28, 2018, and then later at the 47th Leitz Photographica Auction.
593253, dated 1943, and featuring a different base configuration was illustrated on page 68 of James L. Lager's "Leica: An Illustrated History - Volume 2 - Lenses - Signed Deluxe Limited Edition" book⁵⁴². It was auctioned off at an American auction on November 13, 2021.
593254 was auctioned off at the 8th Westlicht Photographica Auction.
593258 was auctioned off at Christie's on March 6, 1997, and at the 21st Westlicht Photographica Auction.
593259 was auctioned off at the "100 Years of Leica" WestLicht Photographica Auction and 27th WestLicht Photographica Auction.
593263 was mentioned in Leica Forum post.
593264 was shipped in December of 1949 as a part of order number 24088 to Leitz⁵⁴⁴.
593265 was shipped on August 1, 1949 as a part of order number 519 to Leitz New York⁵⁴⁴.
593266 was shipped on December 23, 1949 to Alvarez, Madrid as a part of order number 1669⁵⁴⁴.
593267 was shipped on August 1, 1949 to Wykeham, London as a part of order number 763⁵⁴⁴. It was auctioned off at the 49th Leitz Photographica Auction on November 28, 2026⁶⁰⁵.
593268 was shipped on August 1, 1949 as a part of order number 519 to Leitz New York⁵⁴⁴. It was later auctioned off at an American auction on November 14, 2020. According to the auction lot, it came from the collection of Dr. C.F. Tatum.
593269 was shipped on August 1, 1949 as a part of order number 519 to Leitz New York⁵⁴⁴.
593270 was shipped on September 10, 1949 as a part of order number 1067 to APO 633, US Army⁵⁴⁴.
593271 was shipped on August 1, 1949 as a part of order number 519 to Leitz New York⁵⁴⁴.
593272 was shipped on December 22, 1949 as a part of order number 1575 to Kleiner, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil⁵⁴⁴.
593273 was shipped on August 1, 1949 as a part of order number 519 to Leitz New York⁵⁴⁴.
593273 was shipped on August 1, 1949 as a part of order number 519 to Leitz New York⁵⁴⁴.
593274 was shipped on December 20, 1949 as a part of order number 18749⁵⁴⁴.
593276 was shipped on August 1, 1949 as a part of order number 519 to Leitz New York⁵⁴⁴. It was auctioned off at 25th WestLicht Photographica Auction.
593277 was shipped on August 1, 1949 as a part of order number 519 to Leitz New York⁵⁴⁴.
593278 was shipped on August 1, 1949 as a part of order number 519 to Leitz New York⁵⁴⁴.
593279 was shipped on January 3, 1950 as a part of order number 24534 to Bemberg, Wuppertal⁵⁴⁴.
593280 was shipped on August 1, 1949 as a part of order number 519 to Leitz New York⁵⁴⁴.
593281 was shipped on August 1, 1949 as a part of order number 519 to Leitz New York⁵⁴⁴.
593282 was shipped on August 1, 1949 as a part of order number 519 to Leitz New York⁵⁴⁴.
593283 was shipped on August 1, 1949 as a part of order number 519 to Leitz New York⁵⁴⁴.
593284 was shipped on August 1, 1949 as a part of order number 519 to Leitz New York⁵⁴⁴.
593285 was shipped on August 1, 1949 as a part of order number 519 to Leitz New York⁵⁴⁴. The lens was illustrated in Viewfinder, Volume 55, Issue 3, and engraved "Red Richards".
593286 was shipped on August 1, 1949 as a part of order number 519 to Leitz New York⁵⁴⁴. It was auctioned off at an American auction on November 12, 2016. The lens was engraved "Red Richards", according to the lot description.
593287 was shipped on August 1, 1949 as a part of order number 519 to Leitz New York⁵⁴⁴.
593288 was shipped on February 25, 1950 as a part of order number 24002 to Grimminger⁵⁴⁴.
593289 was shipped on September 10, 1949 as a part of order number 1067 to APO 633, US Army⁵⁴⁴.
593290 was shipped on August 1, 1949 to Wykeham, London as a part of order number 764⁵⁴⁴.
593291 was shipped on August 1, 1949 as a part of order number 519 to Leitz New York⁵⁴⁴.
593292 was shipped on August 1, 1949 as a part of order number 519 to Leitz New York⁵⁴⁴. It was auctioned off at the 26th Westlicht Photographica Auction.
593293 was shipped on August 1, 1949 as a part of order number 519 to Leitz New York⁵⁴⁴.
593294 was shipped on August 1, 1949 as a part of order number 519 to Leitz New York⁵⁴⁴. It was auctioned off at an American auction on November 14, 2020. It was auctioned off at Flints Auctions on April 29, 2021.
593295 was shipped on December 23, 1949 as a part of order number 1635 to Odin, Nijmegen, Netherlands⁵⁴⁴.
593296 was shipped on October 31, 1949 as a part of order number 22628 to Wiesbaden⁵⁴⁴.
593297 was shipped on August 1, 1949 as a part of order number 519 to Leitz New York⁵⁴⁴.
593298 was shipped on July 20, 1950 as a part of order number 27186⁵⁴⁴. It was auctioned off at Christie's on November 21, 1996.
593299 was shipped on August 1, 1949 as a part of order number 519 to Leitz New York⁵⁴⁴.
593324 was mentioned in Leica Forum post and auctioned off at the 26th WestLicht Photographica Auction, and later at the 36th Leitz Photographica Auction. According to the lot description, the lens used to be part of Dr. Bahman Bawendi collection.
593327 was illustrated on page 162 of Shinichi Nakamura's "Leica Collection" (1991) book⁶⁰².

Variants

There are at least 5 different variants of the black paint version:

Variant 1 had:

black aperture ring
chrome bottom section of focusing ring
rear part of the lens barrel featured a black painted protrusion
meter scale
Examples included: 593012, 593017, 593019, 593030, 593033, 593053, 593076, 593083, 593085, 593091, 593102, 593109, 593111, 593193

Variant 2 had:

black aperture ring
chrome bottom section of focusing ring
rear part of the lens barrel featured a black painted protrusion
feet scale
Examples included: 593192

Variant 3 had:

black aperture ring
chrome bottom section of focusing ring
rear part of the lens barrel was constructed in two parts, featuring a protrusion and the finely corrugated ring, which was chromed
meter scale
Examples included: 593044, 593090, 593093, 593160, 593170, 593184, 593207, 593235, 593239, 593248, 593324

Variant 4 had:

black aperture ring
chrome bottom section of focusing ring
rear part of the lens barrel was constructed in two parts, featuring a protrusion and the finely corrugated ring, which was chromed
feet scale
Examples included: 593241, 593253, 593254, 593268, 593276, 593292, 593294

Variant 5 had:

black aperture ring
chrome bottom section of focusing ring
rear part of the lens barrel was constructed in two parts, featuring a protrusion and the finely corrugated ring, which was chromed
feet scale
Examples included: 593258, 593259

Lenses following the serial number 593101 were coated and featured only the international geometrical aperture markings⁵¹². The aperture index was displayed as an engraved arrow shape within a half circle, inlaid with white paint⁵¹². Notably, unlike the chromed Summarex lenses, the black lacquered lenses indicated the aperture index increasing from left to right⁵¹². Therefore, to close the aperture, the aperture ring had to be turned clockwise⁵¹². Additionally, the rear portion of the one-piece mount lacked the fine knurled ring found on later two-piece mounts¹¹⁶. An 85mm parallax-corrected saddle-type bright-line finder, designated SOOCB, was cataloged in 1943¹¹⁶. A special clamp-on, non-reversing black brass lens hood was provided, along with a uniquely sized black brass cap that fit the lens directly¹¹⁶. In contrast, later chrome lenses featured reversible bayonet hoods and slightly larger chrome caps that fit the reversed hoods¹¹⁶.

The black lacquered post-war Summarex 8.5 cm lens could be seen as a transition between the prototypes of 9cm f/1.5 Summar lens and the later, production chrome versions⁵¹². The patina finish on the distance scale was replaced with brushed chrome¹¹⁶. The dual f-stop scale was removed around serial number 593200¹¹⁶.

Due to high manufacturing costs, its production was ultimately halted with the introduction of the first version of chrome Summarex, starting with the serial number 593350⁵¹². The reversible lens hood and chrome cap were introduced with this lens¹⁰⁷.

8.5cm f/1.5 Summarex in chrome finish

There were 6 different variants of chrome version, according to Dr. Bahman Bawendi's research⁵¹²:

Version 1 - 593XXX series

The first chrome Summarex, with the serial number 593350, was exported to the Leitz branch in New York on December 8, 1949⁵¹². The production of this series concluded with the lens having the serial number 593500 on March 17, 1950⁵¹². This means that only 150 of these lenses were ever produced, making them even rarer than the very hard-to-find black lacquered versions⁵¹². The distribution records provide the shipping date and destination but do not indicate the production date⁵¹². However, the serial number sequence of 593xxx suggests that the first chrome lenses were assembled from parts that had been prepared earlier⁵¹². All lens barrels of the this version featured the highly reflective 'wartime chrome' plating⁵¹². Among the chrome Summarex lenses known to the author of this website were: 593328, 593366, 593363, 593376, 593416, 593424, 593429, 593444.

The source of the following images is the "The Summarex 8.5 cm f/1.5" article written by Dr. Bahman Bawendi published in 7/2011 Leica Fotografie International magazine⁵¹²:

Some of the lenses of this version were:

had feet scale and were engraved "feet" (like on 593328, 593366, 593444), while others had meter scale and were engraved "m" (like on 593376, 593424, 593429)
some had dot-shaped aperture ring index mark (like on 593363, 593366), while others had triangle-shaped aperture ring index mark (like on 593328, 593376, 593416, 593424, 593429, 593444)
some had red engraved depth of field (like on 593328), while others had black engraved depth of field (593366, 593376, 593424, 593429, 593444)

Version 2 - 732XXX series

The serial numbers for the second chrome version, produced between 1950 and 1951, range from 732001 to 732500⁵¹². Apart from that, all characteristics of the first chrome version also applied to the lenses within this sequence of serial numbers⁵¹². All lens barrels of the this version featured the highly reflective "wartime chrome" plating⁵¹². Some of these lenses had feet scale and were engraved "feet", while others had meter scale and were engraved "m".

Among the lenses were:

732001, that was auctioned off at Christie's on November 19, 1987.
732026, that was auctioned off at Adam Partridge Auctioneers on September 4, 2013.
732072, that was illustrated in Mr. Lars Netopil's "Museum Leica" book in 2018 and was described as "8,5 cm Summarex f/1.5 in Leica M mount"⁵⁹⁶.
732108, that was auctioned off at Auction Team Breker on September 24, 2017.
732122, that was auctioned off at 9th WestLicht Photographica Auction on May 20, 2006.
732147, that was auctioned off at Dominic Winter Auctions on April 11, 2019.
732175, that was auctioned off at 4th WestLicht Camera Auction on November 22, 2003.
732194, that was auctioned off at 40th Leitz Photographica Auction on June 11, 2022.
732258, that was auctioned off at 22nd WestLicht Photographica Auction on November 24, 2012.
732278, that was auctioned off at LP Foto Auktioner on July 4, 2020.
732317, that was auctioned off at LP Foto Auktioner on June 18, 2016.
732400, that was auctioned off at Central Street Antiques and Auction on Dec 29, 2012.
732483, that was auctioned off at Auction Team Breker on Mar 26, 2006.
732488, that was auctioned off at Kimballs Auction and Estate Services on Mar 7, 2012.
732500, that was auctioned off at an American auction on Jun 23, 2008.

Version 3 - 823XXX series

The serial numbers for the third version began with 823001 in 1951 and concluded with 824000 in 1952⁵¹². The depth of field index featured more widely spaced numbers⁵¹². Additionally, the distance setting marker was redesigned to be linear and was inlaid with red paint on some of the lenses⁵¹². In the third version, the casing's surface was matte chrome⁵¹². The front ring's abbreviation for 'number' changed from 'No.' to 'Nr.'⁵¹².

The source of the following images is the "The Summarex 8.5 cm f/1.5" article written by Dr. Bahman Bawendi published in 7/2011 Leica Fotografie International magazine⁵¹²:

Among the lenses were:

823092, that was auctioned off at LP Foto Auktioner on March 28, 2010.
823144, that was auctioned off at Flints Auctions on Nov 18, 2021.
823172, that was auctioned off at 10th WestLicht Photographica Auction.
823213, that was auctioned off at 35th Leitz Photographica Auction.
823229, that was auctioned off at 46th Leitz Photographica Auction (on June 27, 2025) and 48th Leitz Photographica Auction on June 13, 2026.
823322, that was auctioned off at 16th WestLicht Photographica Auction.
823323, that was auctioned off at 8th WestLicht Photographica Auction.
823339, that was auctioned off at an American auction on Nov 9, 2024.
823400, that was auctioned off at Auction Team Breker on Oct 1, 2006.
823405, that was auctioned off at 33rd Leitz Photographica Auction.
823446, that was auctioned off at 2nd Wetzlar Camera Auctions on Oct 10, 2020.
823481, that was auctioned off at 12th WestLicht Photographica Auction.
823513, that was auctioned off at 8th WestLicht Photographica Auction.
823596, that was auctioned off at 23rd WestLicht Photographica Auction.
823638, that was auctioned off at 24th WestLicht Photographica Auction and later Lidong Auction on Jun 27, 2026.
823652, that was auctioned off at 47th Leitz Photographica Auction on November 22, 2025, and later Flints Auctions on Apr 29, 2026.
823692, that was auctioned off at L&H Auction on May 29, 2015.
823719, that was auctioned off at Leski Auctions Pty Ltd on August 9, 2022.
823825, that was auctioned off at LP Foto Auktioner on January 14, 2023.
823876, that was auctioned off at 23rd WestLicht Photographica Auction.
823891, that was auctioned off at Leica Center Photographica auction on Oct 28, 2007.

Version 4 - 940XXX series

This version had serial numbers ranging from 940001 to 941000 and was manufactured between 1952 and 1954⁵¹². Rear section of the lens barrel had been redesigned resulting in the removal of the finely corrugated rings⁵¹². Lenses of this variant featured a smooth double ring beneath the depth of field scale, where the tripod mount protruded⁵¹². Beginning with the fourth version, the middle section of the front ring, which was located in front of the aperture, had a shiny chrome finish instead of the matte finish seen in version 3⁵¹². This shiny chrome matched the front part to which the lens hood was attached⁵¹². Lenses of this version had a red R-index for infrared film⁵¹², a feature that had been eliminated by Leitz on their early post-war lenses due to the unavailability of infrared film¹¹⁶.

Among the lenses were:

940021, that was auctioned off at Skinner auctions on November 1, 2014.
940024, that was auctioned off at Clarke Auction Gallery auction on Oct 9, 2016.
940119, that was auctioned off at Auction Team Breker on May 1, 2005.
940241, that was auctioned off at Skinner auctions on August 23, 2008.
940248, that was auctioned off at 30th WestLicht Photographica Auction.
940249, that was auctioned off at Auction Team Breker on Oct 31, 2020.
940266, that was auctioned off at 22nd WestLicht Photographica Auction.
940296, that was auctioned off at 16th WestLicht Photographica Auction.
940375, that was auctioned off at Auction Team Breker on Mar 23, 2024.
940460, that was auctioned off at 24th WestLicht Photographica Auction.
940472, that was auctioned off at 7th WestLicht Photographica Auction.
940536, that was auctioned off at LP Foto Auktioner (on July 08, 2023), and then 45th Leitz Photographica Auction.
940602, that was auctioned off at 11th WestLicht Photographica Auction.
940675, that was auctioned off at L&H Auctions on Nov 17, 2013.
940686, that was auctioned off at Leica Center Photographica auction on May 7, 2006.
940726, that was auctioned off at 2nd WestLicht Photographica Auction.
940829, that was auctioned off at 4th WestLicht Photographica Auction.
940830, that was auctioned off at LP Foto Auktioner on July 08, 2023.
940924, that was auctioned off at DuMouchelles auction on Aug 19, 2017.

Version 5 - 1008XXX series

Lenses of this variant had serial numbers ranging from 1008001 to 1009000, produced between 1954 and 1958⁵¹². Lenses of this version had a red R-index for infrared film⁵¹², a feature that had been eliminated by Leitz on their early post-war lenses due to the unavailability of infrared film¹¹⁶. This batch also introduced an improved lens hood and the bright-line 85mm finder, designated SGOOD, in 1952¹¹⁶. The number of slots in the post-war hood was reduced from four to two for increased manufacturing efficiency¹¹⁶. A change in the color of the lens coating occurred at this time, shifting from light blue to magenta¹¹⁶.

Among the lenses were:

1008140, that was auctioned off at Auction Team Breker on Sep 24, 2017.
1008235, that was auctioned off at L&H Auction on Nov 26, 2017.
1008251, that was auctioned off at 6th WestLicht Photographica Auction.
1008263, that was auctioned off at Auction Team Breker on Oct 2, 2005.
1008276, that was auctioned off at Christie's on June 6, 2007, and later Flints Auctions on Apr 16, 2025.
1008314, that was auctioned off at 11th WestLicht Photographica Auction.
1008319, that was auctioned off at Auction Team Breker on Mar 23, 2013.
1008322, that was auctioned off at LP Foto Auktioner on December 6, 2014, and then again on LP Foto Auktioner on April 18, 2015.
1008384, that was auctioned off at 34th Leitz Photographica Auction.
1008471, that was auctioned off at 39th Leitz Photographica Auction.
1008483, that was auctioned off at Flints Auctions on Apr 16, 2025.
1008517, that was auctioned off at Auction Team Breker on Sep 24, 2016.
1008556, that was auctioned off at 26th WestLicht Photographica Auction.
1008581, that was auctioned off at Flints Auctions on Apr 29, 2026.
1008646, that was auctioned off at 14th WestLicht Photographica Auction.
1008648, that was auctioned off at Auction Team Breker on Apr 23, 2021.
1008682, that was auctioned off at 18th WestLicht Photographica Auction.
1008714, that was auctioned off at Flints Auctions on Apr 29, 2021.
1008760, that was auctioned off at 27th WestLicht Photographica Auction.
1008763, that was auctioned off at 10th WestLicht Photographica Auction.
1008792, that was auctioned off at an American auction on Nov 12, 2017.
1008842, that was auctioned off at Auction Team Breker on Mar 25, 2017.
1008846, that was auctioned off at 48th Leitz Photographica Auction.
1008888, that was auctioned off at 1st WestLicht Photographica Auction.
1008953, that was auctioned off at 19th WestLicht Photographica Auction.
1008993, that was auctioned off at 28th WestLicht Photographica Auction.

Version 6 - 1151XXX series

The sixth variation was produced from 1958 to 1962, spanning serial numbers 1151001 to 1151450⁵¹². However, instead of 450, only 375 lenses were believed to have been built onto which those serial numbers were distributed irregularly⁵¹². The step beneath the aperture, over which the tripod mount protruded, was in the form of a compact ring⁵¹².

In 1967, the last four lenses in this block of serial numbers were delivered⁵¹². Some of the lenses of this variant were equipped with the SOOCX-ISBOO adapter straight from the factory⁵¹². The engraved depth of field markings, as well as the markings for infrared film (R), were low in red paint⁵¹². The index line for distance setting was marked in black and shaped like a wedge at its end⁵¹².

The source of the following images is the "The Summarex 8.5 cm f/1.5" article written by Dr. Bahman Bawendi published in 7/2011 Leica Fotografie International magazine⁵¹²:

Among the lenses were:

1151020, that was auctioned off at 19th WestLicht Photographica Auction.
1151047, that was auctioned off at 47th Leitz Photographica Auction.
1151092, that was auctioned off at 13th WestLicht Photographica Auction.
1151154, that was auctioned off at Auction Team Breker on Mar 19, 2016.
1151255, that was auctioned off at 22nd WestLicht Photographica Auction.
1151306, that was auctioned off at Flints Auctions on Nov 21, 2023.
1151331, that was auctioned off at 8th Wetzlar Camera Auctions.
1151344, that was auctioned off at 1st Wetzlar Camera Auctions.
1151363, that was auctioned off at 9th WestLicht Photographica Auction.
1151367, that was auctioned off at an American auction on Nov 15, 2025.
1151415, that was auctioned off at 25th WestLicht Photographica Auction.
1151441, that was auctioned off at Leica Center Photographica acution on Oct 28, 2007.

Closing Remarks

The 8.5cm f/1.5 Summarex was last listed in the catalog in 1962, with a retail price of 360.00 USD¹¹⁶. According to Helmut Lagler, however, overall, there were 4550 lenses produced between 1943 and 1954, with serial numbers ranging from 593001 through 1151450⁴³⁹. The production of this lens came to an end due to the introduction of the more versatile and less expensive 9cm f/2 Summicron (model SOOZI) in 1957¹¹⁶.