SINGER ISLAND FLORIDA – We had a dramatic sky this morning, so I shot it. This is two fames stitched, resulting in a square format, which I like a lot.
I’m shooting with my Leica “steel rim” Summilux lens, version 1 of the 35mm Summilux. This is actually Leica’s modern reissue of this lens, the original steel rims were produced in small numbers and sell for astronomical numbers on the Leica collectors market. I’ve been using this lens exclusively for my trip to Florida and I’ve grown to hold it in high regard. Here’s what Jonathan Slack has to say about it:
Lots of photographers are discovering the charms of older lenses (and coincidentally their vices!). Collectors have long understood which lenses are interesting or scarce, so that prices for vintage lenses can be extremely high:
For instance a quick check on eBay finds copies of the Leica 35 Summilux (Steel Rim) in good condition on sale for as much as €30,000. The hood was an accessory and the OLLUX (12522) is now trading for around €2,500 (and considering how easily it falls off you would have to be very brave to use it!)
. . . .
The 35mm f1.4 Summilux version 1 was produced from 1961 to 1966 and came either with, or without goggles. The lens was produced in Silver Chrome finish and black anodised aluminium (Leica didn’t use black chrome plating until 1971). The insides of the lens were brass in both cases. There were around 8,000 lenses made in total.. . . .
. . . .
Clearly the point of buying this lens is for its ‘look’, not because it compares well with the latest 35 APO Summicron, and ‘look’ it delivers in spades.
Day 5,989 of one photograph every day for the rest of my life.
Looking back exactly 16 years to Route 66. Day 145 of one photograph every day for the rest of my life.
