50mm Summicron Fungus

[kvanderlaag]

Okay, so I admit it. I might have put in a fairly high bid on a 50mm collapsible 'Cron on you-know-where.

It only seemed higher when I finally read in the fine print that the lens has a couple light spots that may or may not be fungus. Oops.

So I might get stuck with this 'Cron that could have the beginnings of fungus between the elements. I figure proactively, I'll figure out if it's removable, and if so, how/where/how much.

So, does anybody have experience or knowledge about having a collapsible 'Cron cleaned up?

Thanks,
Keegan

 

[Nick R.]

I had mine cleaned at Essex Camera in Carlstadt, NJ. They're on the web. A couple of problems with the coll. sum. is that the soft coatings scratch easily and they are prone to haze. Maybe your fungus is just haze or maybe not. If it is fungus, you should have it cleaned pronto to stop its spread. If it's haze you might live with it to avoid damaging the coatings. Talk to the people at whatever repair shop you decide to use to see what they recommend.

 

[Eric Boehm]

I recently had a collapsible 50 'cron CLA'd by FocalPoint in Colorado. I originally bought the lens at a bargain price in a camera store consignment sale. The aperture and focus were very stiff, and the front element had serious cleaning marks (damage to the coating, not the glass itself).

I sent it off to FocalPoint where they did a complete CLA and got the aperture and focus working like new, and also polished off the old coating and recoated the lens. Total bill was $250 plus shipping. Today the lens is like new, and takes a great photo.

Check out http://www.focalpointlens.com

From their website: "We can repair most coating problems and cement separations of doublets and triplets. We also remove haze and fungus from optical surfaces when the surfaces are not too damaged."

The proprietor, John VanStelten was very easy to work with and responded quickly to my emails. I would certainly use his services again.

Good luck!

Eric

 

[wlewisiii]

I recently had a CLA and reassembly of a Collapsible Summicron done by DAG for $55.

William

 

[kvanderlaag]

Well, I guess my luck didn't hold up. The thing sold for about the going price. I didn't get to pull a Joe and pick it up for a hundred bucks. 😉

Thanks for all the advice, though. At least now I know what it'll cost me if I manage to pick an iffy one up cheap!