CLA or Return my 35 Summaron?

[cfc247]

Thanks to all the great advice from many of you here, I recently purchased a 35mm Summaron 2.8. While the lens looks to be in great shape overall, its got quite a bit of food particles and some type of oily fluid (I think the seller said its silicone) between the aperture and focus ring (its hard to see in the photo because I had to shoot it in macro)

The seller is willing to refund or pay for the CLA through Leica. What do you think. Will CLA make this lens mint? The rest of the lens is EX+ to Mint, with hardly any signs of wear. Some dust inside, but that's about it.

 

[ferider]

If glass ad aperture are clean, and focus is smooth, just use it. Maybe clean the outside with some rubbing alcohol.

To clean what can be seen in the second picture, the lens does not need a full CLA., Just removal of the spanner ring, and cleaning with tissue.

MINT is different things to different people. In my mind, if something has been used, it's not MINT.

 

[Nokton48]

Looks like the rear cell could use a vacuuming.

 

[Vincent.G]

Somehow I got this feeling that the lens was dropped into something during the changing of lens. It is hard to imagine how that amount of foreign matter can accumulate in the rear through normal usage.

 

[Mudman]

I think a mint was dropped into that thing 😀. If the rest of the lens is clean, and the seller is willing to pay for a CLA, I'd go for that.

 

[cfc247]

Thanks for sharing all your thoughts. As some of you know, I was considering replacing my 35 lux asph with this lens. In terms of resolution and drawing, I know I would be more than satisfied. My only concern at the moment is the focus ring and the speed. The focus ring, when compared to my silky smooth lux, is a bit stiff and of course, the other question is whether the f2.8 aperture will be sufficient as my only 35.

I have already returned the lens and will need to notify the seller very soon, as to my choice...its a tough one.

 

[Mudman]

Well a CLA would make the focus ring less stiff I would think, but f2.8 is a good chunk slower than f1.4. Do you have any other highspeed lenses that would fit the bill for low light? Could you alternatively pick up the Voigtlander 35mm f1.2?

 

[FPjohn]

Looks like a good example of a Summaron dropped into a cake. A CLA is a good idea.

yours
FPJ

 

[cfc247]

Well a CLA would make the focus ring less stiff I would think, but f2.8 is a good chunk slower than f1.4. Do you have any other highspeed lenses that would fit the bill for low light? Could you alternatively pick up the Voigtlander 35mm f1.2?

I've never had a CLA done, nor owned a lens this old, so its reassuring to know that the focus ring will also be corrected, or at least improved, with the job. I don't have any other high speed lenses. Sold off a couple to pick up the 35 lux asph. As you mentioned, the Nokton f1.2 is an option, just a bit bulky though. Or I could sell my 21 elmarit pre asph (since I don't shoot wide too much), and pick up the cv 21 f4, and keep both the lux and the summaron...

 

[Melvin]

That looks like it could be particles of dried out foam rubber from an old case. If the glass is good that's what counts. What did you pay for it? Seems like a CLA from Leica would be costly and take a long time. How about Sherry Krauter?

 

[cfc247]

That looks like it could be particles of dried out foam rubber from an old case. If the glass is good that's what counts. What did you pay for it? Seems like a CLA from Leica would be costly and take a long time. How about Sherry Krauter?

You may be right, since the case is quite old and no longer has the foam in in. Looks like the camera ate it all. The seller is actually going to arrange the CLA himself and reship the lens to me after inspection w/paperwork.

The glass is pretty clean: scratch and haze free, but with some dust particles inside, which I guess is unavoidable with an older lens). Body has virtually no signs of wear. I paid 670 for it, with the bubble case and original cap.

 

[ZeissFan]

Looks like a good example of a Summaron dropped into a cake. A CLA is a good idea.

yours
FPJ

Apparently, you can have your cake and eat it, too. But not with a Leica nearby.