Some quirks.

When Leica released the revolutionary M3 body in 1954 the viewfinder could show correct framing for three focal lengths – 50mm (thick frame, always visible), and two thin frames for 90mm and 135mm lenses. The latter two would appear when the related focal length lens was attached or could be previewed with the small lever to the right of the lens throat, viewed from the front.

But Leitz knew that 35mm was a popular focal length so rather than burden the user with a clip on external viewfinder they added ‘goggles’ to the lens itself. These would fit in front of the finder and rangefinder windows of the M3 body conferring the correct field of view, and the lens with this attachment is usually referred to as the ‘RF’ model.

Erwin Puts’s Lens Compendium (free download of all 600+ pages) states the following:

Puts on the 35mm f/3.5 Summaron.

As there’s no record of Puts (no pun intended) ever actually taking a photograph with the objects of his obsession I think we can safely disregard the last paragraph above. For the real thing stand by while Dr. P. puts (ahem) the lens through its paces on the street. As that means film processing is involved, please do not hold your breath.

Now take a peek through the M3’s finder with a no lens attached:

The M3’s finder.

As you can see the thick 50mm frame still has a lot of view outside its boundaries and yes, that pretty much coincides with the field of view of a 35mm focal length lens. So why bother with the goggles, which are easily detached by loosening the thumb screw atop (it’s captive and will not fall out)? Well, sadly the rangefinder is way out when the goggles are removed. A correct distance of 20′ with them attached shows the lens to be focused at 12′ with the goggles removed, which is dead wrong, and significantly so. So using this lens on a later M2, say, with its native 35mm frame and with the goggles detached, is a non-starter. The lens will not focus correctly. On the other hand, attach it to that M2 with the goggles in place and correct rangefinder function is restored, though the view will be rather small given the already lower magnification of the M2’s finder. Seriously, if you want to use a 35mm lens on the M2 or any of its many later variants, buy one without goggles. That way you will enjoy the finder at its best.

Further, there is no infinity lock with the goggles attached – and they can only be removed with the lens set to infinity – the infinity lock comes into play once the goggles are removed and the ball bearing has to be depressed with a finger to allow the lens to focus. That ball bearing also acts as a locator for correct positioning of the goggles on the lens before the thumb screw is tightened. The base of the thumbscrew locates in the divot to the left of the ball bearing, making for perfect alignment. Over engineering at its finest.

The ball bearing infinity lock and locating divot.
Note the superb engraving quality.

Phew! To cut a long story short – and Puts and his ilk seem clueless about all of this likely because they never actually use the hardware they pontificate about – the only way to get correct focus with this lens is to leave the goggles in place. Sure, you can remove them to stash the parts in small pockets but use the lens without the goggles and your focus accuracy will be shot. In later goggled lenses – the 35/2.8, 35/2 and 35/1.4 – Leitz attached the goggles with a couple of machine screws and while you could remove those screws to detach the goggles the same wrong focus anomaly surfaced. I know because I used the f/2.8 version for over three decades, detached the goggles to try using the lens on my M2 and got the same error. No book knowledge here.

In 1958 Leitz added that f/2.8 version of the Summaron with an identical optical design and I can testify to its optical quality, so there’s reason to be optimistic about the f/3.5 I just acquired. Plus, at $550 with a fresh Cleaning, Lubrication and Adjustment, the f/3.5 is half the price of the f/2.8. Over $500 more for half a stop does not solve in my book. And try and beat that price for a used wide angle Leitz lens. As for that CLA, it’s pretty much essential for a lens that is now almost 70 years old, as the chances that the lubricants are dried out and the lens has haze and fungus are high. Don’t believe me. Check the eBay listings.

My lens is in absolutely mint condition. Not that easy to find. And it most certainly did not come from an ethically challenged eBay vendor. The serial number on mine dates it to 1956 and I have no reason to believe that anything changed qualitatively during the lens’s long production run.

Even with those clunky goggles, an M3 with the lens attached is still small. Compare with current full frame DSLRs and you will see what I mean.

Small.

Some ‘experts’ aver that the goggles present a distorted view of the scene. Nothing could be further from the truth. Leitz cut no corners in the optical design of the goggles as this image taken through the M3’s finder with the goggles fitted testifies. The color fringing is from the iPhone:

Viewfinder image with goggles fitted.

Well, I’m ready to hit the street but first, seriously, have you seen a more physically beautiful machine this side of one of Pininfarina’s Ferraris?

Ready for the street.
Note the rapid rewind crank.