Summaron 35mm f3.5, early version, A36 model. Leica screw mount. Serial number in the 880,000 range, made in 1951. Leitz product code SOONC. Double-Gauss design with 6 elements in 4 groups. Distance scale in feet. Uses A36 slip-on filters.
Introduced in 1946 as the successor to the Elmar 35mm f3.5. Compared with the Elmar, it is slightly taller and heavier, but still remarkably compact and highly portable. Its classic design is also part of its appeal as a vintage lens.
It offers excellent resolution in the center, while natural vignetting near wide open creates a dramatic atmosphere. Despite its impressive rendering, the Summaron was produced in relatively large numbers and remains reasonably priced, making it a welcome classic among Leica wide-angle lenses.
The matching hood is the FOOKH, with its beautifully simple design.
The exterior is in excellent condition. There are no noticeable scuffs, and very little sign of use overall.
A full overhaul was completed in August 2026. Thanks to careful servicing, both the aperture ring and helicoid operate smoothly. Rangefinder coupling is also spot-on. It is in excellent working condition.
A faint ring-shaped area of coating deterioration remains on the rear surface of the front element, which could not be completely removed during servicing, but it is unlikely to have any noticeable effect on actual shooting. The original coating remains well preserved on each glass surface, and the optical condition is quite good for an A36 Summaron, a model often known for haze.
Our test shots, including backlit scenes, also produced good results.
Comes with third-party front and rear caps. A fine choice for practical use.
