Summicron 35mm v1 8-element

Summicron 35mm f2 V1 is the first standard wide angle lens with an ultra-fast aperture at F2 produced by Leica from 1958 to 1969. It was designed in 8 elements in 6 groups augmented classic symmetrical double-Gauss and used rare earth optical glass. My copy was produced 1968. During its production period, it was available in M2, M3 (with goggle) and LTM mount versions with 39mm filter thread and constructed with a nice infinity lock function. In terms of minimum focusing distance. M2 version focuses at 0.7m to infinity; M3 goggle version focuses at 0.65m to infinity and LTM mount version from 1m to infinity. The first thing that I noticed was its contrast, it has relatively low contrast compare with other 35mm Summicron in Leica, bokeh is different from other 35mm Summicron, it doesn’t have swirly bokeh but in rather busy and non-uniformed structure, lens’s sharpness improves really well at F5.6 to F8. At its largest aperture, it has Leica glow on highlights but it also depends on which year your Summicron 8 Element belongs to, I have tried serial begins with 165, 209 and 210 and I assume their coating contribute to their Leica glow intensity. I like later serial within the range of 209 and 210 more because images shot are more solid and sharp. Early batches often produce even lower contrast and much more glow.