50 Summicron fungus?

[dirojas]

Hi everyone, I am looking for some advice about an opportunity that came out for me recently.

I have found locally a Leica m4-2 plus 50mm Summicron (this is the version after the rigid one) at a very good price. I check out the camera and everything seems to be working fine for its age, the curtains are in good condition, it is reasonably smooth, framelines engage and the speeds are working (don´t know how accurately). The rangefinder is out of adjustment at infinity (way out 😀), but this is something I can adjust being brave enough 😀.

The lens however, although is very smooth and the aperture works fine, with defined clics, does not have the glass in good condition. Let me elaborate. The front and back surfaces are OK, I could not even detect cleaning marks. However, when looking at the inner elements of the lens, I saw something that could be haze, fungus or decementing, I just don´t know. The best description I can provide is like the mark that remains in a glass when a water droplet dries out. So, do you know what could be the problem with the lens? If so, do you think it can be repaired? And then, where and how much will it cost approximately?

I´d love to have a user M + 50mm at a good price. The camera and lens are sold as a package, so there is no way to take just the camera.

What do you think?😕😕

 

[sevo]

Slight traces of fungus and/or water marks can often be cleaned completely. And even if they can't, chances are that the lens will be perfectly good except for a mildly increased vulnerability to flare - resales value of such a lens will be lousy, but as long as you bought it at use value, that mustn't bother you.

Sevo

 

[tbarker13]

I bought a 50 summicron (rigid) for $150 a few months back, knowing it had fungus. Sent it to Sherry K, who cleaned it. The etching from the fungus remains on the glass.
Regardless, the lens performs quite well. I figured it was an inexpensive way to get a lens I knew I wouldn't be using all that much.

 

[dirojas]

Thanks for your responses guys! The thing is, first, I don´t know if it is fungus, and the second, how much does it cost to send the lens to be cleaned?

 

[tbarker13]

If I had my check book handy, I could tell you exactly how much Sherry K charges for a CLA. It's in the $80-$100 range, though.

 

[dirojas]

Thanks tbarker13, the amount SherryK charges seems reasonable, excellent.