50 Summicron Coming Apart

[ForeverUnknown]

Okay it's not as extreme as the title sounds, but it's still a little worrisome for me. I was trying to remove a filter that was on too tight, and in the process, I noticed the lens began to unscrew itself from the focusing ring. Before the two could come apart, I quickly screwed them back tightly. I doubt it, but could anything have gone awry as the lens twisted apart? I noticed that my focusing ring feels stiffer to turn now. Still smooth but noticeably stiffer. Did I tighten too tight?

 

[waterlenz]

The lens units of some early Summicron 50's are removavble from the focusing mount. You may be OK.
Tom

 

[erikhaugsby]

It's fine. My 50DR's head unscrews (in front of the aperture ring) with slight effort, allowing the front half of the optical assembly to be removed and the aperture blades to be freely accessed.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Yeah, just as long as it's one of the two rigid Summicrons (DR or just plain rigid), not the collapsible or the versions 1969 and later, the head can be unscrewed and screwed back on. You can do the same thing with the 90mm Elmar and first version 90mm Elmarit (and I think some of the 135mm lenses)

Just don't try it with a Summarit; trust me. You really don't want to do that.

 

[ForeverUnknown]

This is the 2nd to last version with the focusing tab and external hood. So it shouldn't be able to come undone for this version?

 

[Gman]

Sounds like the same version of the lens that I still own and had the same issue. The lens was still under warranty at the time and I sent it back to Leica to be checked out- needless to say when I got it back it no longer unscrewed like that!


jeff

 

[ForeverUnknown]

Sounds like the same version of the lens that I still own and had the same issue. The lens was still under warranty at the time and I sent it back to Leica to be checked out- needless to say when I got it back it no longer unscrewed like that!


jeff

Great... I'm sending an email to Don @ DAG and see what he says. I'm going to be really angry if the lens needs to be fixed. I'm M6 is currently at DAG and will most likely be finished next week. If my lens needs to be shipped out, UGH I'm never going to be able to shoot with my Leica gear!

 

[ForeverUnknown]

Here's what Don said about the lens:

"The optical head of your 50mm Summicron has come loose & can be put back in good working order. I believe your version usually has a keyway pin that stops the lens head from turning even if the optical head loosens, however, I've seen a numbers of these with the keyway pin missing as if they were not always installed at the factory. In any case your lens can be repaired. And if your lens should have a keyway pin & it's missing, then it can be replaced."

I'm never going to use my Leica gear... 🙁

 

[awilder]

I trust you had Don put it in good working order. He's one of the best and it'll come back as it should have left the factory, i.e. correct.

 

[edodo]

The optical block of a black 1969 summicron without tab unscrew too.

 

[ForeverUnknown]

Looks like it's going to cost around $50 to fix, but since Don still has my M6, I'll save a little bit on shipping to have them back together. That's a good thing, I guess.