SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
It also has, reportedly, a very slight haze. The price is really good. And I understand that haze can be cleaned (by Sherry or Don Goldberg)... right?
feenej
Well-known
Here's instructions for fixing a filter ring dent. My Rokkorphile chums report that it works well.
http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/filterringtool.html
http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/filterringtool.html
SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
Looks scary... but thanks! Any suggestions are welcome.
How about the haze?
How about the haze?
Gumby
Veteran
Check out the filter ring dent removing tool at microtools - it is less scary. It is like a curved vice that squeezes outward.
ZeissFan
Veteran
You can usually use two types of tools to removes dents in filter rings. Both take time and require some care. The tool from Micro-Tools works very well, and I've used it a number of times to straighten dinged lenses.
The one thing it can't do is to fix the threads, which sometimes get mashed together. In that case, screwing and unscrewing a filter can help restore the threads marginally.
The one thing it can't do is to fix the threads, which sometimes get mashed together. In that case, screwing and unscrewing a filter can help restore the threads marginally.
Olsen
Well-known
to me it looks like a lens that has reached the end of it's life cycle. This dent confirms a tough handling. The reported haze does not sound good either. Why?
It seems that it is not a performer due to the haze, nor is it a collectors' item with it's ugly dented look. What is it then? A paper weight? To what price?
It seems that it is not a performer due to the haze, nor is it a collectors' item with it's ugly dented look. What is it then? A paper weight? To what price?
SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
Found it. Thanks, Ed! 
Olsen, the other photos look fine. No rough handling other than the dent. The price is very right, and I have bought stuff from these people in the past. Hence, I may go for this lens. It seems like a good deal.
Olsen, the other photos look fine. No rough handling other than the dent. The price is very right, and I have bought stuff from these people in the past. Hence, I may go for this lens. It seems like a good deal.
I just spoke with DAG, he's had some of my gear for several months now. Although he is a master tech, he is completely overwhelmed with business. So I wouldn't expect quick turnaround on anything, including haze removal...the reason I had to call him, is because he didn't answer my last 8 (!) emails going back to May. Over a week ago, I emailed him to just have him ship the gear back, and he didn't even answer that one (nor has he shipped it yet.) DAG is a very nice guy and well intentioned but he's just overwhelmed with work.
Gumby
Veteran
Gluing leather to the surfaces will help protect the threads from getting mashed.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
I have the Microtools filter-ring-undinger and it works very well. Often, you can even screw the filter back in.
Many companies can clean lenses. Perhaps the best in the world is Optical Instruments (Balham), www.optil.co.uk. These are the guys who regularly rebuild WW2 German U-boat binoculars for the Royal Navy gunnery ranges, and fabricate heads-up displays for BAe and Dassault. They're optical specialists, not general repairers, but their prices are surprisingly reasonable.
Even so, I hae' ma doots about the wisdom of sorting out a fairly common, ratty and not very valuable lens with a pedestrian specification. Exotica -- a Canon 50/1.2 or a 90/4 Macro Elmar -- maybe; but why an original collapsible 9cm Elmar?
Cheers,
R.
Many companies can clean lenses. Perhaps the best in the world is Optical Instruments (Balham), www.optil.co.uk. These are the guys who regularly rebuild WW2 German U-boat binoculars for the Royal Navy gunnery ranges, and fabricate heads-up displays for BAe and Dassault. They're optical specialists, not general repairers, but their prices are surprisingly reasonable.
Even so, I hae' ma doots about the wisdom of sorting out a fairly common, ratty and not very valuable lens with a pedestrian specification. Exotica -- a Canon 50/1.2 or a 90/4 Macro Elmar -- maybe; but why an original collapsible 9cm Elmar?
Cheers,
R.
SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
Thanks for taking the time, Roger!
There's a good place here in the US, Focal Point, in which they do all kinds of things with lenses. I had my Elmarit 28mm repaired there (had a slight separation).
As for why I'm after this one? To tell you the truth, I don't know myself, but I've fallen for collapsibles because I like how they look (and handle) in my M3. Kind of a period look.
BTW, digitalintrigue, did you end up calling Don in the middle of his night like I suggested? I do know that he's swamped. He's always swamped; he received my M3 for repair in December 07, and only repaired it and sent it back until late March 08, after I inquired about it via e-mail.
Actually, I was thinking about Sherry Krauter, who also works on lenses. She has repaired small lens problems I've had with a 'cron 50 and my Elmarit 28.
Thanks for your informative replies!
There's a good place here in the US, Focal Point, in which they do all kinds of things with lenses. I had my Elmarit 28mm repaired there (had a slight separation).
As for why I'm after this one? To tell you the truth, I don't know myself, but I've fallen for collapsibles because I like how they look (and handle) in my M3. Kind of a period look.
BTW, digitalintrigue, did you end up calling Don in the middle of his night like I suggested?
I do know that he's swamped. He's always swamped; he received my M3 for repair in December 07, and only repaired it and sent it back until late March 08, after I inquired about it via e-mail. Actually, I was thinking about Sherry Krauter, who also works on lenses. She has repaired small lens problems I've had with a 'cron 50 and my Elmarit 28.
Thanks for your informative replies!
payasam
a.k.a. Mukul Dube
Thanks, all. This might come in handy if ever I sell my collapsible Summicron, which has a similar dent.
Bill Blackwell
Leica M Shooter
About the haze -
Some of it will clean out, but not likely all of it. It is caused from humidity and fungus attacking the lens coatings. To the extent the coatings have been deteriorated, the condition will remain etched into the glass. Then, the only solution is to have the lens polished and recoated (not a cheap proposition).
Some of it will clean out, but not likely all of it. It is caused from humidity and fungus attacking the lens coatings. To the extent the coatings have been deteriorated, the condition will remain etched into the glass. Then, the only solution is to have the lens polished and recoated (not a cheap proposition).
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dear Bill,
Not sure I'd entirely agree. Fungus is normally clearly visible (often as 'fairy rings', the way mushrooms grow in a field), and comparatively rare; most misting is distilled-off lens lubricants and cleans up very well.
As an aside here, repolished lenses are never (as far as I have been able to discover) multi-coated. Balham don't, and I was talking to Leica about it last week. They don't either.
Cheers,
R.
Bill Blackwell
Leica M Shooter
Roger:
Just got of the phone with Don Goldberg ("DAG") who said this haze is usually caused from the elements themselves. This exotic glass gives off vapors which attack the surfaces and their coatings. And, contrary to earlier assertions, there are "coatings" inside these lenses as well. These coatings are very soft and need to be handled very carefully - scratching and rub marks often result with even the most careful cleaning on these old Leitz/Leica lenses.
A number of years ago I had a dual-range Summicron cleaned and recoated (specifically because of this condition). I don't remember the exact cost, but it was more than the lens was worth "as-is" at the time. I also recall never being happy with the lens' performance afterwards.
Regards, Bill
Just got of the phone with Don Goldberg ("DAG") who said this haze is usually caused from the elements themselves. This exotic glass gives off vapors which attack the surfaces and their coatings. And, contrary to earlier assertions, there are "coatings" inside these lenses as well. These coatings are very soft and need to be handled very carefully - scratching and rub marks often result with even the most careful cleaning on these old Leitz/Leica lenses.
A number of years ago I had a dual-range Summicron cleaned and recoated (specifically because of this condition). I don't remember the exact cost, but it was more than the lens was worth "as-is" at the time. I also recall never being happy with the lens' performance afterwards.
Regards, Bill
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