Leica Summaron 35mm f/3.5 (SOONC-MW / SOMWO)

Leica Summaron 35mm f/3.5 with OVU SOONC-MW / SOMWO

The Leica Summaron 35mm f/3.5 SOONC-MW / SOMWO is the goggled Leica M3 version of the classic 3.5cm Summaron. Leica Wiki lists the Summaron f=3.5cm 1:3.5 with order codes SOONC, SOONC-M 11105, SOONC-MW 11107, SOONC-MT 11305 and SOMWO, and identifies SOONC-MW as the lens-with-finder version for the M3 [1].

This version was made for Leica M3 use, where 35mm framelines were not built into the camera. The optical view unit, often called goggles or OVU, modifies the M3 finder view so the lens can be used as a 35mm lens on the M3. The lens should therefore be kept separate from the plain screw-mount SOONC version, the non-goggled M-bayonet SOONC-M version, and the later 35mm f/2.8 Summaron versions.

The optical formula is the standard Summaron 35mm f/3.5 design: 6 elements in 4 groups, f/3.5 to f/22 aperture range, 10-blade diaphragm and 1m closest focusing distance. Leica Wiki lists the 35mm f/3.5 Summaron production era as 1946 to 1960 for screw-thread versions and 1956 to 1960 for E39 and M-bayonet versions. This entry covers the M3 goggled M-bayonet version with order number 11107.

Optical qualities

Rendering

The Summaron 35mm f/3.5 is a compact vintage Leica wide-angle with restrained speed, modest contrast and strong classic character. It is generally valued for small size, smooth tonal rendering and vintage 1950s Leica handling rather than for maximum aperture speed. The goggled M3 version shares the same optical family as the other 35mm f/3.5 Summaron versions.

Sharpness

A clean copy can be very capable, especially when stopped down. The lens is often appreciated for good central sharpness and practical travel use, but performance is strongly dependent on condition. Haze is common in older Summaron lenses, and Clean Cameras specifically notes the typical haze of the M-Summaron, caused by its symmetrical Gauss construction with cemented middle element pairs [5].

Contrast and color

Contrast is lower than later Leica 35mm lenses such as the Summaron 35mm f/2.8 or Summicron 35mm f/2, but clean examples can still produce pleasing tonal separation. Coating condition, haze and cleaning marks have a large influence on contrast.

Bokeh and transitions

As a 35mm f/3.5 lens with a 1m minimum focusing distance, it is not primarily a shallow-depth-of-field lens. The 10-blade diaphragm helps keep stopped-down aperture shapes relatively rounded, but the lens is better understood as a compact documentary and travel wide-angle than a bokeh-focused lens.

Handling

The OVU / goggles are central to this version. On an M3, the goggles adapt the viewfinder for 35mm framing. Fotohandel Delfshaven notes that the goggles can be removed, but rangefinder coupling will not be correct except at infinity, so the lens should normally be used with the goggles attached if rangefinder accuracy is required [2].

Digital use

The lens can be mounted on Leica M digital bodies, but the goggled mechanism and frameline behavior should be checked carefully. Without goggles, it may still be usable by scale focus or live view, but rangefinder accuracy is not normal. For adapted mirrorless use, the goggles are less important because focusing and framing can be done through the camera screen or EVF [7].

History

Development and Launch

The Summaron 35mm f/3.5 was one of Leica’s main postwar wide-angle lenses. It was made in both Leica screw mount and M mount, with special M3 goggled versions for 35mm use on the M3. Leica Wiki lists SOONC-MW 11107 from 1956 and identifies it as the lens-with-finder version for M3 use.

Production Evolution

The broader Summaron 35mm f/3.5 production ran from the late 1940s into 1960, while M-bayonet and E39 versions are listed from 1956 to 1960. Variants include A36 and E39 filter versions, feet or metric distance scales, and M3 versions with or without goggles. This SOONC-MW / SOMWO entry should be used for the goggled M3 version, not for the ordinary screw-mount or non-goggled M version.

Special Editions/Variants

No commemorative factory special edition is documented. Collector-relevant variants are mainly mount, filter type, distance scale and goggle configuration. SOONC-MW / SOMWO 11107 identifies the goggled M3 configuration. SOONC-M 11105 should be treated as the non-goggled M version, while SOONC is the screw-thread family code.

Collector Notes

Collectors should verify the 11107 order number where documented, SOONC-MW / SOMWO reference, M-bayonet mount, OVU / goggles, serial number, E39 filter size, rangefinder coupling and optical condition. Important condition checks include haze, fungus, cleaning marks, coating wear, goggle clarity, goggle alignment, focusing smoothness, aperture movement and whether the lens focuses correctly with the goggles attached. Seller titles often mix SOONC, SOONC-M, SOONC-MW and SOMWO, so the physical goggles and mount should be used to confirm the match.

Special editions

No confirmed commemorative factory special edition is currently documented.

Known collector-relevant variants and related versions include:

• Leica Summaron 35mm f/3.5 SOONC-MW / SOMWO 11107, goggled M3 version, this entry.
• Leica Summaron 35mm f/3.5 SOONC-M 11105, non-goggled M-bayonet version, separate entry.
• Leica Summaron 35mm f/3.5 SOONC, Leica screw-thread version, separate entry.
• Leica Summaron 35mm f/3.5 SOONC-MT 11305, later M-bayonet reference noted in Leica Wiki, separate documentation required.
• E39 and A36 filter variants, should be identified by exact barrel and filter form.
• Metric and feet distance-scale variants, collector-relevant when documented.