Arax Lens Refinishing

[VictorM.]

After reading the threads about Arax and the work Gevorg does, I sent him the front element of an Elmar 90/4. Here's the chronology:

1st email contact with Gevorg: Dec. 30/05
Lens element mailed: Dec. 31/05
Notice of work completed and request for payment: Feb. 2/06
Payment sent via paypal (added 5%): Feb. 2/06
Shipping notice: Feb. 6/06
Lens element received in Toronto: Feb. 10/06

Total cost: $41.00 US, including polishing and coating two surfaces, return postage and paypal surcharge (I forgot to record the postage cost to Kiev)

I've reassembled the lens and plan to shoot a test roll tomorrow.

Before and after snaps below, and a frame from the first test roll, 1/250 @ f/4.0(miserable afternoon to try shooting-but maybe it was just me):

 

[back alley]

wow!

looking forward to seeing the resultant pics.

 

[johne]

Victor M
Scotland the Brave? Piper is an excellent shot. My compliments.
Johne

 

[VictorM.]

Thanks, Johne. He is brave-people have been shot for no reason at all near that intersection in downtown Toronto.

 

[back alley]

all that for 41 bucks and the pic looks good!

 

[harry01562]

Nice detail on the beard, and the texture of the cloth coat. Lens looks beautiful. Arax puts the lenses into a normal production run, which explains the slow repair time. The delivery was excellent. I've enjoyed my transactions with Gevorg, including MF camera/lenses.

That makes a great shooter silk purse out of that lousy looking sows ear.

Harry

 

[back alley]

i may need that address soon...

 

[Kim Coxon]

Hi Joe,
Are you thinking of the 28? I am not sure of the construction of that lens but you may have a problem. I spoke with Arax a couple of weeks ago. They can only deal with a lens element if it is the glass element itself on it's own and not if it is in a metal mount. If memory serves me right it was the element just behind the diapraghm and in many of the Canons, this is bonded to a metal ring. If this is the case Arax won't deal with it.

Kim

i may need that address soon...

 

[Sonnar Brian]

That front element looks beautiful.

I will keep them in mind.

 

[taffer]

Arax is going to receive quite a bunch of inquiries I guess.

 

[back alley]

Hi Joe,
Are you thinking of the 28? I am not sure of the construction of that lens but you may have a problem. I spoke with Arax a couple of weeks ago. They can only deal with a lens element if it is the glass element itself on it's own and not if it is in a metal mount. If memory serves me right it was the element just behind the diapraghm and in many of the Canons, this is bonded to a metal ring. If this is the case Arax won't deal with it.

Kim

thinking of my 'new' summicron (from 1955) with the cleaning marks on the front element.

 

[johne]

back alley,

See my posts on "front element" in repair section for my experience with a 'cron. Also, see my gallery for recent shots with this lens. I am most satisfied.
Johne

 

[OpenWater]

Wow! The lens looks great. I will keep Arax in mind.

 

[w3rk5]

Looks like Arax does great work. Wow! It's hard to believe that's the same lens.

 

[Bill58]

How do you like the Arax? I just wondered about the quality of the pics, etc?

 

[Rich Silfver]

Hmm....I'm considering having the glass in my Elmar 50/3.5 and Elmar 90/4 done.

What can I expect after having them both coated (they are currently un-coated lenses from the 30's)? Is there a difference in sharpness and contrast and if so is that just due to keeping flaring down (which in essence I could do by using a hood)?

 

[back alley]

good question.
can coating/recoating improve sharpness?

i would think it would help with flare contrast and contrast.

 

[photodog]

I have a Summarit with some cleaning marks. What do you think about having ARAX do a recoating job?

 

[ZeissFan]

I don't think coating can improve sharpness. It should improve contrast. Repolishing should improve sharpness and contrast.

I like the results from this and have a couple of lenses that would be candidates for this. Can you post contact information (Web site or e-mail address)?

 

[Kim Coxon]

http://araxfoto.com/