I pulled out my old IIIc with Summitar 50 f/2 lens. I can't tell if it's lens separation or fogging going on with that lens but I shot with it and the pictures look great but the separation appears to be almost a quarter of the lens. Should it affect performance? Will it? Has anyone experienced this? Any help would be appreciated. Th

-- Gabe Sachs (egabe@earthlink.net), April 20, 2002

Answers

This sort of thing almost always reduces cotrast and definition. It should be possible to find a lens repairer who can disassemble the lens and separate the elements by dissolving the cement in toluene As to the economics of this it would only be worthwhile if the barrel is in excellent condition.My 28mm elmarit M had this fault and cost me £91sterling done in London. Otherwise consider a new voigtlander lens-it will probably perform better.Incidentally,I have a 54yr old summitarwhich Iused in the tropicsand has never developed this fault but 1962 elmar 2.8 did.

-- rodney williams (willicwm@bushinternet.com), June 12, 2002.