f2 Summicron Collapsible [Help]

ampguy said:
Virtually any Collapsible Cron is going to need rebuilding.
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Well, mine is not!

Leica MP, Summicron collapsible 50mm f/2, Tmax400 printed on Ilford MGIV fb.

Erik.

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My experience with Collapsible Summicrons is a bit different from Ted's. I have unscrewed the front section and cleaned the haze from each side of the aperture blades. But be careeful to NOT use a blower on it, or to do so carefully. The blades will fall out, as BACK ALLEY (JOE) found out. Same with a Summarit and other lenses- the blades can fall out, so I hear.

I've also removed the front element on two of them to clean haze. Requires use of a suction cup. I relubed one of them, a Thorium lens. And refinished an opaque element on one, and used an eyeglass repair kit. Both Thorium lenses required a few days under a UV lamp. Also beyond CLA. So 3 of 6 required rebuilding beyond a CLA, but two required it because of radiation damage. I've traded off one of the 6.
 
Great examples popping up :)

- With regard to the CLA, I've never gone down this route and wouldn't know where to start; is there places in the Uk that could do this?
My approach is generally aim to get the best possible, perhaps realistic conditioned lens and just take care of it. Not mother it, but keep it looked after as best I can.

I don't know why, but I find the whole CLA thing a little intimidating. As such I doubt I would CLA or opt for a Rebuild, which sounds even more specialised and again It's doubtful I could get this done in the UK.

My budget is essentially £450 which equates to about $690; This hopefully will cover the Lens, Shipping to the Uk and the inevitable import taxes that will ensue. With a CLA or Rebuild on top of that, it's probably going to be pushing it. Becuase I would also have to budget shipping it out of the UK and back again with further import tax. Hence why I'm hoping to get one that doesn't need to be rebuilt or CLA..
 
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Underaglassbell said:
My budget is essentially £450 which equates to about $690; This hopefully will cover the Lens, Shipping to the Uk and the inevitable import taxes that will ensue. With a CLA or Rebuild on top of that, it's probably going to be pushing it. Becuase I would also have to budget shipping it out of the UK and back again with further import tax. Hence why I'm hoping to get one that doesn't need to be rebuilt or CLA..
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I think you're easily within budget. Ideally, of course, you'd buy locally and have a chance to examine the lens. Most of us don't, though.

I used my collapsible 50 for some time before getting it CLA'd. While I'm sure it's in better condition, and the glass is visibly cleaner (but not spotless) the difference in the photos is marginal. Rebuilds: I wouldn't want to buy a lens that needed a rebuild.

If you do buy from a vendor in the U.S. or Canada, why not arrange to have it sent directly to a service specialist like DAG or Sherry Krauter? That would save the cost of at least one trip across the Atlantic. BTW, I just had something shipped overnight (to North Carolina) from Manchester via FedEx. Cost 15 pounds, which I think is really good, considering I also just spent 55 dollars for overnight delivery of a small package from Chicago, a two-hour flight from here.
 
For CLA in the UK, there are a few Choices. Malcolm Taylor is on the mid-Wales border near Leominster so may be ideal. CRR in luton.
 
Malcolm Taylor may well have one in stock as he sells them as well as working magic on them. His phone number is 01568 77 05 42

Regards, David
 
Well theres a surprise! Hah, and well that sounds pretty good!
- I'm based in Mid Wales in Newtown which is about 40 miles from Leominster.

I've located his e-mail and will send him a message - I'm not one for calling people on the phone, well people I don't know.

Thanks for the heads-up :)
 
Sherry Krouter (I know I spelled it wrong) has like 3 or 4 of these on her web site for sale. I'm thinking of picking one up myself.
 
UPDATE:

Ok, well I finally managed to acquire a Leica Collapsible Summicron f2 lens for my M7 ^_^

summicron.jpg

It had the things I was looking for in terms of the serial number and what not, fab condition and well I went over my budget, but I'm not buying it to make a profit or sell on :)

- My first Leica Lens too!


DaN
 
Sorry to be rude but may I ask roughly what you paid. I picked one up in similar condition last week

Great lens though arent they. Been using mine on the M8 and its plenty sharp wide open and excellent bokeh
 
That one looks really good. I suggest a hood for it, I use a "Heavystar" vented hood on mine. I also keep a Leica UV or UV/IR filter on it, mostly to keep the front coating as clean as possible.
 
The collapsible plays well in color too. F2.8, Kodak Ektachrome. I paid $275 shipped, with a semi stiff aperture, a few (but not excessive) cleaning marks, a B&W uv filter and heavystar hood.

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chrishayton said:
Sorry to be rude but may I ask roughly what you paid. I picked one up in similar condition last week

Great lens though arent they. Been using mine on the M8 and its plenty sharp wide open and excellent bokeh
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Too much probably ;) - but I have been searching for one a while now and I figured I might as well commit to that lens.

It was shipped this afternoon so should be here next week sometime.
 
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Brian Sweeney said:
That one looks really good. I suggest a hood for it, I use a "Heavystar" vented hood on mine. I also keep a Leica UV or UV/IR filter on it, mostly to keep the front coating as clean as possible.
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Indeed, I have just purchased a B+W E39 UV filter to protect the lens - same one I have for my Zeiss ZM.
 
You could try Balham optical, CRR Luton or Malcolm Taylor who I think would all be able to do a CLA in the UK and Malcolm Taylor is in Hereford 01568 770542 - a renowned Leica specialist I believe!
 
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