I am expecting an ugly 50mm Summicron in the mail any day now. At 60$ it was too tempting. The front element has cleaning marks, and as you can see there is a dent in the filter thread + a general dirty appearance. The seller did report otherwise clean glass and no fogging, but I would be surprised if there isn't some. I bought it out of curiosity, and I do not have high expectations, but I was wondering if there is anything I could do to improve its performance. Has anyone done a successful DIY cleaning of the inner elements of such a lens? Does anyone know the cost of front element recoating and a CLA -and would it be worthwhile? Any suggestions?

-- Niels H. S. Nielsen (nhsn@ruc.dk), May 27, 2002

Answers

A very nice paperweight I would say. Bit expensive though for a paperweight. Frank

-- Frank (frank_bunnik@hotmail.com), May 27, 2002.

Frank,
Not if compared to this one ;-)

-- Niels H. S. Nielsen (nhsn@ruc.dk), May 27, 2002.

well, not so bad looks like my average lenses...

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), May 27, 2002.

Hello Niels,

what about a new thread as follows: >Which is your most beaten up piece of Leica gear (and still works fine)??<

This new lens of yours would fit nicely into this, should it still function alright, attached to the matching camera. This lens seems to have seen a mighty impact, so do not be too surprized if lenselements are out of alignment.

Best of luck

-- K. G. Wolf (k.g.wolf@web.de), May 27, 2002.

what about a new thread as follows: >Which is your most beaten up piece of Leica gear (and still works fine)??<

Excellent idea, provided the 'still works fine' apply to this lens -I may follow up on your suggestion in a week or so. If it doesn't, maybe I'll be qualified to contribute to Greg's thread what is your favorite "soft lens".

-- Niels H. S. Nielsen (nhsn@ruc.dk), May 27, 2002.

Niels, that was a very funny reply. I had a good laugh. I would absolutely prefer the Leica paperweight.

Have fun, Frank

-- Frank (frank_bunnik@hotmail.com), May 27, 2002.

I dropped my 50 summicron R some time ago, it had a damaged glass element (back, a 3x4mm scratch)) and dented everywhere (it fell of a driving car). The element would have costed 126 euro alone, total estimated repair cost was 400 euro (euro=0.9$) according Odin, our local leica representative. The front element maybe cheaper or more expensive, I don't know. But to have it repaired/CLA'd expect at least $250 is my guess. I would agree with the above posts, nice paperweight or study object. Or you could buy my 'cron as well (I'll also settle for $60+postage), maybe you can make one out of two :-)

-- ReinierV (rvlaam@xs4all.nl), May 27, 2002.

Niels,

If you don't want it anymore, I give you 70$ for it. It will be fantastic on my garbage M3 I always have in my car :-)

-- Michael Bohn (michael.bohn@skynet.be), May 27, 2002.

Why don't you have Leica USA give you an estimate for a CLA&repair. It just might be worthwhile.

-- Jack Matlock (jfmatlo@attglobal.net), May 27, 2002.

If nothing else you have purchased an excellent loupe for less than half the price of a new one. Cheers.

-- Gil Pruitt (wgpinc@yahoo.com), May 27, 2002.

The dented filter threads can often be tapped out until they are round enought to accept a filter. The brass is malleable enough to permit this. It can even be done sometimes with aluminum mounts. But if not, remember that using UVa filters is declasse on this forum anyhow. :<) Shoot with it! It's probably still a great lens.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), May 27, 2002.

Niels. You won't know if it is worth fixing until you receive it and see how bad it is. For example, if the cleaning marks aren't too bad, there is only light internal fog (no fungus with etching of the glass), and the lens is otherwise mechanically sound (eg., mounts on the camera and the rings turn), it may well be serviceable. The dent in the filter ring is not of much consequence (you can live without mounting filters) EXCEPT if it is indicative of further internal damage. I would inspect the lens carefully and then call someone like van Stelten (Focal Point, in Colorado) for an estimate. What the heck, it's hard to find a 50/2 chrome Summicron made by Leitz Wetzlar for $ 60.

-- Eliot (erosen@lij.edu), May 27, 2002.

Niels, I would first shoot a roll of film with the lens and look at the negatives. Then I would take it to Photographica in Copenhagen (or one of the other shops that you told me about) and see what they have to say about its condition or repair. It doesn't make any sense to me to suggest that you have the lens looked at by someone in the United States since you have access to very good shops in Denmark as well as the option of sending the lens to Leica in Germany, if necessary.

You must have had some reason for purchasing the lens; what had you planned to do with it?

-- RP Johnson (rpjohnson2@mindspring.com), May 27, 2002.

RP Johnson wrote: You must have had some reason for purchasing the lens; what had you planned to do with it?
-I thought I'd decide what to do when it arrives. If its faults doesn't work in favour of interesting photographs, and if cost of restoration is prohibitive, then I will satisfy my curiosity and see how this 'once a beauty' looks like inside.

-I'll follow up on this when I have examined the lens.


-- Niels H. S. Nielsen (nhsn@ruc.dk), May 28, 2002.