Summilux M 1.4/35mm black paint

A very rare and special, sought-after lens is the 35mm Summilux f/1.4 lens in black finish with chrome front rim. The lens was produced parallel to the all-chrome version, for M3 with a rangefinder attachment and for M2 without the attachment. From 1961 they were catalogued as the 11872 “RF” model and the 11869 for the M2. Designed by Dr. W. Mandler, the seven element lens was only produced in Canada. There are no records showing how many lenses were made in black finish with chrome rim, but the numbers were very low. It accepted the special lens hood OLLUX until 1966, when the lens was changed to accommodate series VII filters in divisible lens hood.

Photo credit: © WestLicht Photographica Auction