cleaning marks on DR Summicron - should I return this lens?

[joeswe]

Hello,

I just purchased this DR summicron lens from a dealer on fleabay, price was 500 Euros. Lens is in cosmetically nice shape, mechanics are also fine, but I see what I think are cleaning marks on the coating of the front lens element. These are not obvious when looking at the lens from some distance, but upon closer inspection the center area of the front lens looks somewhat "dull". Now, if you loook at it through a magnifying glass it appears like hundreds of very tiny, pin point size specks on the lens surface. I think you can get an idea from the pictures. Are these cleaning marks and would you suggest that I return the lens and get a refund? I am bit disappointed because I have been looking for such a lens for some time but 500 Euros is my limit and most of the clean copies nowadays are much more expensive. I fear that the lens will flare when shooting against the light and I'm also afraid that this will be bad for the resale value of the lens in case I have to sell it for funds some day. Sorry if I'm asking stupid questions, but I'm relatively new to the universe of vintage Leica glass.
It would be nice to hear from you experienced guys...
John


L1120588small von eames68 auf Flickr



L1120586small von eames68 auf Flickr


L1120583small von eames68 auf Flickr

 

[Ranchu]

Yes. (The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 10 characters.)

 

[hipsterdufus]

What you're seeing there is coating wear. From a photographic perspective, the lens should be fine; these types of marks have minimal effects on actual pictures.

When minor, coating wear and cleaning marks will make little difference unless you love shooting into the sun (I don't know why you would). Even shooting into the sun, my Summitar with cleaning marks is perfectly acceptable to me. I would highly recommend shooting a test roll of film ASAP to see if the results are acceptable to YOU.

However, if the seller advertised the lens as being optically perfect, then you are entitled to at least a partial refund. If not, I'd keep it and shoot it as-is.

 

[ItsReallyDarren]

How much time do you have until the return deadline? Shoot a roll of film through it, if you think it flares more than you'd like contact the seller.

 

[sahe69]

I agree with Eric. For any practical purposes those marks are not going to make a difference. It all depends on what was said in the ebay item description. If you are still satisfied with less than 100% perfect, and the seller said it's optically in a perfect condition, I would suggest to try to work out a deal (in a return you would still probably loose the costs of the return shipment)

How much time do you have until the return deadline? Shoot a roll of film through it, if you think it flares more than you'd like contact the seller.

Good point!

 

[ferider]

You won't find a better lens for EUR 500, at the current prices. In fact, you did well.

Should make no difference if the lens is well collimated. I would test it and - if photos come out OK - keep it; possibly consider re-coating if it really bothers you. Your lens does look pretty clean though - I've seen much worse.

Roland.

 

[Ranchu]

Well, I guess I'm the odd man out. All these guys are more experienced than me with Leica, but I'll stick. I'd send it back. I don't mind the 'lines' type of marks, but those crunchy cloudy kind I don't want at all.

 

[ray*j*gun]

For that price you should have a better product IMO.....send it back.

 

[ramosa]

I'd return it. Otherwise, it'd be on my mind, especially whenever I used the lens 🙁 ... That's just I.

 

[Vobluda]

Sorry, but there are very easily findable much better lens for less money - M-Hexanon 50mm f2 or M-Rokkor 40mm f2 to name only a few.

You won't find a better lens for EUR 500, at the current prices. In fact, you did well.

Should make no difference if the lens is well collimated. I would test it and - if photos come out OK - keep it; possibly consider re-coating if it really bothers you. Your lens does look pretty clean though - I've seen much worse.

Roland.

 

[ferider]

Sorry, but there are very easily findable much better lens for less money - M-Hexanon 50mm f2 or M-Rokkor 40mm f2 to name only a few.

I was referring to 500 EUR and the current price of a DR Summicron only. I'll leave the comparison to different lenses (including different focal length .....) up to others. 🙂

For the OP, what did the add state about condition ?

 

[joeswe]

I was referring to 500 EUR and the current price of a DR Summicron only. I'll leave the comparison to different lenses (including different focal length .....) up to others. 🙂

For the OP, what did the add state about condition ?

Well I must admit the guy was not very specific. "very nice condition, minimal traces of use, fully functional." There were some pics including one of the front lens, of course the coating damage didn't show there. I don't blame the guy, he is a photo dealer but probably not a Leica specialist. Returning and refund would not be a problem, since the local laws require every professional seller to offer a 14 day "no questions asked" return policy for online purchases. To put the price into perspective, the lens came with an original metal cap but without goggles (which was fine for me, because I had picked up a pair of DR goggles for next to nothing a couple of days ago locally).

John

 

[Moriturii]

I think you will find that the lens will perform just as good as any other DR/Rigid Summicron you'll find. So the little "wear" will not show up on pictures even for the most pixel peeping crazy person 🙂 Enjoy your new lens!

 

[BobYIL]

Surface pitting is different than coating marks. Especially with the soft glass of the collapsible Summicrons, this phenomena was to observe frequently after repeteadly careless cleaning. Return it... Since you have the goggles, watch the German version of the famous site, time to time DRs without goggles surface for around 500 Euros.

 

[Ronald M]

Over cleaning. A little brush off is all you need unless the dog licks it.

 

[johannielscom]

No.


The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 10 characters.

 

[tbarker13]

Isn't this particular lens known for being found with cleaning marks, etc.?
Seems very rare to find one with mint glass. And if you do, I'm betting you'll pay more than 500 Euros for it.

Personally, I don't get too hung up on this stuff unless it affects image quality. It's one of the reason I hate selling gear to collectors. They tend to look for things I'd never even notice.

 

[ferider]

Isn't this particular lens known for being found with cleaning marks, etc.?

Yes. Nine out of ten early Summicrons (DR, rigid, collapsible) look worse than the OP's.

Roland.

 

[rogerzilla]

Do the flashlight test and also shoot into the sun. I paid 600 Euros in March and mine is as clean as a whistle; not a hint of flare into the sun and like a new lens in a flashlight test.

At one point I thought it was soft at f/2 but that was my rubbish focusing; the USAF lens chart test says it's barely any softer at f/2 thah it is at f/4.

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

Return. uuuuuuuuu just to ad some charachters to get the 10 minimum required