Leica LTM 5cm Summar aperture blades

[giganova]

I'm not exactly sure what it's suppose to look like, and I know the Summar blades are an oddly angled shape anyway...

Just make sure that the blades are properly lubricated and soaked in oil like this one!

 

[Luddite Frank]

In addition to a complex aperture system, Summars are also infamous for scratched front elements.

If the glass in your prospective acquisition has issues, plus the wonky aperture, sounds like the value is in the body-only, and price should reflect that.

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

I haven't looked for a guide Nick, but I'd check that the mount thread looks good (no evidence of cross-threading), the VF is in good nick and the RF aligns properly, and the slow speeds sound OK. I'm assuming it came with the take-up spool?

Shine a torch on the shutter curtains and put a test roll through to check for pinholes in the curtains.

I bought a user IIIc and am very happy with it. They are nice cameras, very tactile. The shutter should sound with a quiet "snick".

My Summar #388XXX has a regular hexagon at all apertures. BTW I can recommend "ROR Residual Oil Remover" for cleaning lens elements. Scott at Mainline put me onto it and it works a treat.

Thanks for the tips. Thread mount looks good, and the Summar screws on and off smoothly VF appears bright and RF seemed crisp and easy to align (although I've never looked through a LTM VF or RF before). Shutter speeds all sound good (progressive and 'snickety' - much like my M2) and yep - comes with a spool. The shutter curtains look good tight without any obvious cracks and pinholes. I'll see if they'll let me put a roll though...

Thanks for the lens cleaning idea - Scott sold me the M2 and most of my lenses, they're a good bunch at Mainline

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

So... I sent the seller an email saying I was interested and asking a) for a photo looking through the front of the lens with the aperture partly closed (I'm interstate for a few days so can't look in person), and b) if I could run a roll of film through to check that it's functional.

The response - "At this price it is best you look at another source. If this was top dollar and in fine condition I would have no drama."

The kit is $420AUD, for which I would expect a well-used but functional camera.

Oh well, back to watching the classifieds

 

[Scrambler]

So... I sent the seller an email saying I was interested and asking a) for a photo looking through the front of the lens with the aperture partly closed (I'm interstate for a few days so can't look in person), and b) if I could run a roll of film through to check that it's functional.

The response - "At this price it is best you look at another source. If this was top dollar and in fine condition I would have no drama."

The kit is $420AUD, for which I would expect a well-used but functional camera.

Oh well, back to watching the classifieds

?? I don't quite see this??

The camera, bought on its own from the USA, would be $300 (AUD) plus, and you would need to post it. Say $350 as a minimum.

The lens, assuming its as crap as you are describing, is probably around the $100-200 AUD level, assume the higher with postage.

So altogether, they are at a reasonable but not particularly discounted level.

I would talk (email) to the seller, explain that while you are interested you want to be able to determine of the lens needs work, and if it is indeed workable.

The price seems to me OK, assuming the camera is as you describe it - which appears to be fine - and the lens will do something.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

In your shoes and based on bitter experience of Summars etc I'd say that you shouldn't expect the lens and body to score 10 out of 10 for an everyday price. FWIW, at an everyday price I'd expect some issues and would be pleased to have the right (meaning contemporary) lens on the camera and the spool is a bonus (look at what they cost).

Comparisons with the M series don't really work until the pre-war ones have been given a good going over. I hope it's obvious why...

Anyway, that's just my 2d worth.

Regards, David

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

In your shoes and based on bitter experience of Summars etc I'd say that you shouldn't expect the lens and body to score 10 out of 10 for an everyday price. FWIW, at an everyday price I'd expect some issues and would be pleased to have the right (meaning contemporary) lens on the camera and the spool is a bonus (look at what they cost).

Hi David, thanks for your 2d (inflation is a horrible thing, I thought it was still 2c...)

I definitely don't expect 10/10 for that price, and I've seen what excellent examples go for. I'm only looking for a user so something a bit rough is fine. My concern is that I don't want to buy a lens that is basically a paper-weight.

I would talk (email) to the seller, explain that while you are interested you want to be able to determine of the lens needs work, and if it is indeed workable.

The price seems to me OK, assuming the camera is as you describe it - which appears to be fine - and the lens will do something.

That's what I was trying to get at when I sent the first email, which why I was a little surprised to be told to go elsewhere.

 

[Scrambler]

Hi David, thanks for your 2d (inflation is a horrible thing, I thought it was still 2c...)

I definitely don't expect 10/10 for that price, and I've seen what excellent examples go for. I'm only looking for a user so something a bit rough is fine. My concern is that I don't want to buy a lens that is basically a paper-weight.



That's what I was trying to get at when I sent the first email, which why I was a little surprised to be told to go elsewhere.

Thanks for the feedback. I agree you should be able to negotiate given the price.