50 Summicron f2 Help

[batey_1020]

I have a bit of a predicament. Several months ago i sent my m4 in for repairs with a 50 summicron for a CLA. I have the M back and i am extremely happy. The 50 summicron how ever i was quoted over $600 (this was Australian as im not keen to send overseas) to dismantle the lens clean fungus off elements as best as possible then lube and adjust. There is a fair amount of fungus in the lens and i decided that the $600 was not worth the chance that the elements may still have marks after trying to remove the fungus.

Now im wondering if it is worth trading the lens in for a Zeiss Sonnar 50 f1.5 or chancing it on ebay to see what it makes then funding a replacement. Or alternatively because the lens is in bad shape internally (only the glass the rest is 9/10) taking my time and attempting the clean myself.

The issue i have is i don’t know what its worth in its condition as is so thats stopping me from attempting it myself, sending it to a cheaper tech somewhere in Aus (if anyone can recommend one). I have read a few topics on here about cleaning the lens and time pertinence and steady hands seems it can be done without to much drama. All of which i have.

So if anyone has some advice (i suspect i know where this will head) im open to opinions since im really at an end.

 

[ferider]

Which Summicron version is it ?

$600 is too much, 150-300 should be the ballpark for CLA and fungus removal. I just had a rigid fully CLA'ed by Golden Touch for US 180 including shipping (US).

 

[GaryLH]

I have heard that light fungus can be removed by basically putting the lens out in an area of bright sun light r is ths the proverbial wise tale?

I have heard that fungus can etch into the lens, at that point, after cleaning will it ever be as good?

Gary

 

[Bampot]

Try F16 cameras, Margate QLD. Wonderful work and excellent service

 

[batey_1020]

Which Summicron version is it ?

$600 is too much, 150-300 should be the ballpark for CLA and fungus removal. I just had a rigid fully CLA'ed by Golden Touch for US 180 including shipping (US).

That was exactly my thought and i was shocked at the quote to be honest.The work on the camera i can't fault though.
I believe its a type 3 but the images of the type 3s i have seen have a different focus ring (similar to the Type 2 rigid). I should get some picturs of it up.

 

[batey_1020]

I have heard that fungus can etch into the lens, at that point, after cleaning will it ever be as good?

Gary

Thats the concern i have about getting the work done. Im wondering if its even worth the cost if its $300.

 

[batey_1020]

the first type 3 rigid summicrons have a knurled focus ring si,ilar to the ones found on type 2 rigid summicrons. they are rare and somewhat collectable.

Thanks for that info. It was as i had thought. When you say rare and somewhat collectable do you have any idea to what number they were produced? Im lucky enough to have the original box and paperwork somewhere tucked away.

Out of interest on this site the type 3 summicron serial numbers are from

Serial #'s 2,269,251-2,915,800

But i suspect that it varies from site to site. Interestinly mine has serial number 2,269,252

http://www.antiquecameras.net/50summicronmlenses.html

 

[nobbylon]

This is my early type 3 Summicron. approx 200 made with knurled focus ring. Later and standard versions have the normal style ring.
It's a completely different lens to a Rigid or DR which I couple as type 2's.
I'd send it off and get it serviced if you are worried about the fungus otherwise continue using it.

 

[batey_1020]

Thats the one 🙂

And to think its been sitting in a cuboard for 15 years! needless to say ill be saving to get it fixed properly now.

 

[batey_1020]

Fogot about this topic. Uploaded a picture of it finaly. Haven't had the time or money to do anything with this yet. Maybe one day ill have the momeny to have it serviced properly. Or maybe ill sell on or trade it in the future.

 

[Frontman]

I have heard that light fungus can be removed by basically putting the lens out in an area of bright sun light r is ths the proverbial wise tale?

I have heard that fungus can etch into the lens, at that point, after cleaning will it ever be as good?

Gary

Sunlight will not remove fungus, but it will kill it. But dead fungus is no less visible than the living stuff.

Removing fungus can be easy or difficult, depending on the type of glass and coating. Fungus usually cleans up easily from Olympus or Yashica glass, but is hard to remove from Canon glass.

Fungus cleans up easily enough from Leica glass, but Leica's coatings are not especially hard on the external elements, and extremely soft on the internal elements. Removing internal fungus or haze often damages the internal coating, and I come across lenses which look clear, but have had the internal coating completely polished off.

Your lens is worth getting properly cleaned, and it should be done by someone who knows what they are doing. Youxin is one of best people I know for getting lenses serviced.

 

[nobbylon]

I was recently offered over €2000 for mine. I was tempted but declined as it's a very rare lens and will no doubt increase in value over the next 10 years. I use it every now and then and prefer it to my v4 as it doesn't have a focus tab.

 

[Frontman]

I was recently offered over €2000 for mine. I was tempted but declined as it's a very rare lens and will no doubt increase in value over the next 10 years. I use it every now and then and prefer it to my v4 as it doesn't have a focus tab.

There is one in a local shop for 300000 yen (about $3000). I have a version 1 black-paint 50mm Summicron, I am afraid to know what it's worth.

 

[peterm1]

Hi Adrian. There are a couple of guys in Adelaide. Private message me and I will send their details to you. One is a trained Leica tech and specialises in all things Leica. The other may not be Leica trained but he is no less skilled in general repair work and from my limited experience both of them have pretty reasonable fees considering the skills needed and time involved. cheers Peter