A Summarit Surprise!

[doubs43]

A few months back I won a Summarit 50mm f/1.5 lens in M-Mount at a very nice price. It's anything but "pristine". The front element looks like it's been cleaned with the sole of a sock after the owner walked a mile in the desert wearing only the sock. Look through the lens at a strong light and there's light - moderate haze to be seen. A perfect prospect for a professional CLA and it's on my list of things to do.

Yesterday, while shooting some test shots with my Bessa-T and four 135mm lenses, I slipped the Summarit on the camera and took this shot at f/4 on EFKE-25 film. I'm amazed at the result. How much better can this lens be after it's CLA'd?

I'll be using it more before I send it off.

Walker

 

[JoeFriday]

"C'est la vie," say the old folks, "It goes to show you never can tell"

 

[Designer]

I got this surprise myself as well. 🙂

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3533&highlight=Summarit

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

The first Summarit I had in my possession had terrible coating separation, fungus, and haze. I took some test shots with it and they still were nice, just as long as there were no strong light sources, but stopped down it was horrible. Needless to say I returned it. I have been anxiously waiting for my replacement for weeks now (I fear it's been lost in transit).

A good copy of this lens, stopped down performs wonderfully; wide open has a very unique fingerprint that is, I guess, an acquired taste. Congrats on your lens. You have a gem.

 

[richard_l]

That's a really crisp photo, Walker. However, cleaning out the haze and getting the front element recoated should improve contrast in most situations. I would suggest asking John Van Stelten for an estimate. His email is john@focalpointlens.com

 

[former member]

Before CLA:
http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=157

After CLA.
http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=158

Shot at F1.5.

 

[doubs43]

That's a really crisp photo, Walker. However, cleaning out the haze and getting the front element recoated should improve contrast in most situations. I would suggest asking John Van Stelten for an estimate. His email is john@focalpointlens.com

Thanks Richard. I've written John's information down. Brian Sweeney has also provided the name and address of a CLA service he uses. One can never have too many good references! 🙂

Walker

 

[doubs43]

Before CLA:
http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=157

After CLA.
http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=158

Shot at F1.5.

Hi Brian, I've seen those shots before and they did, in fact, have an influence on my decision to buy a Summarit. The difference between "before" and "after" is very plain. I know that the newer Leitz lenses are better but they don't fit my budget and I was fortunate enough to get my Summarit for a lot less than they normally sell for. I would have preferred a LTM model Summarit but as long as my Bessa works OK I can live with the M-Mount.

Walker