Summilux 35mm f1.4 2nd. This is the goggled version for the Leica M3, and is a later model with an infinity lock finished in chrome. The earliest version had a black-painted brass infinity lock, followed by a black-painted aluminum version.
The goggles are finished in sharp-looking black paint. The Leitz product code is 11871, unchanged from the Steel Rim version.
The serial number is in the 2.34 million range, dating the lens to 1969. This is one of the later batches with the infinity lock, which was omitted from subsequent production.
By this time, the Leica M4 had already taken over, but this version was presumably still supplied to meet the enduring demand from photographers who felt that the M3 was the definitive Leica. The goggles convert the M3 50mm framelines to provide the field of view for a 35mm lens.
The minimum focusing distance of this goggled version is 65cm. The M3 rangefinder was originally designed to couple down to only 1m, and the standard Summilux 35mm 2nd also focuses only as close as 1m, so the ability to focus significantly closer is a major advantage of the goggled version.
Around wide open, it produces a soft, gentle rendering with beautiful flare, giving this lens its distinctive and highly individual character.
A somewhat rare example.
This lens was previously sold by us and has now returned to our shop. It was carefully used by the previous owner and remains in the same excellent condition as when we last sold it.
There are some minor rub marks on the black-painted area around the round window of the goggles, as well as slight paint loss on the black-painted area beneath the rectangular window. However, the textured finish and the black-finished lens barrel remain beautifully preserved and are virtually like new.
Prior to our previous sale, the lens received a full overhaul in 2026, including the goggle unit, along with careful focus adjustment. The aperture ring and helicoid now operate beautifully smoothly. Rangefinder coupling is also spot-on. The glass in the goggle unit is clear and bright, preserving the superb view through the M3 finder.
There is an extremely faint trace of fungus on an inner element, which can only just be detected with a loupe under strong LED light and should have virtually no effect on actual shooting. Otherwise, there are no scratches or haze, and the glass is clear and bright. This is a Summilux 35mm f1.4 2nd that will let you fully enjoy its original rendering.
Accessories are also nicely complete, including the serial-number-matching original box, a clean 12504 hood, aluminum front cap, and rear cap. A very attractive example for collectors as well.
