foggy summarit

[mkyy]

I can use some opinion from fellow RFFers. I just purchased a Summarit for a fairly good price (US$200) from a local guy with 7 days return option. good condition on barrel, aperature click feels right, no oils on blade but fog on glass. I've never dealth with foggy lens so I am not sure how serious the it is but it doesn't seems that bad. I'll run a couple rolls through it this week. what do you guys think? is it a keeper? how much in reality do fog affect picture quality?

maybe i'll post a picture of the lens later.

 

[FrankS]

Was it offered for sale with an accurate description? A lens CLA costs about $100.

 

[dreilly]

If you just have the inside elements cleaned, it might cost less, like around $50-$60. A lot of techs will CLA the top part of the lens or the bottom and offer pricing for each, as well as the "full bath" as Sherry Krauter calls it. Might be worth $50 extra!

 

[Hektor]

All the best summitars are foggy, the others have been scratched by inappropriate cleaning methods.

 

[mkyy]

Was it offered for sale with an accurate description? A lens CLA costs about $100.

yes, i exchanged email with the seller and i do know the glass is not mint. he's offering a 7 day return. i'm just wondering if i can get a better condition summarit for the price i paid? or i shouldn't expect too much for the price i paid?

 

[former member]

I have two Summarits, CLA'd the haze out of both. $200 is a "decent" price, a "good" price if there are no cleaning marks on the front and rear elements. The Summarit is soft-coated. Depending on how much the haze settled into the coating, it can be tough to clean. Essex did a great job on my Two lenses, I know that they could not clean a 50mm F1.2 rear element sent to them by an RFF member.

Fog on the elements really does ruin the image on film. Cleaning marks are not as serious.

Look for my infamous "Hello Kitty" Summarit test:

http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=391&highlight=summarit+kitty

 

[mkyy]

thanks brian, that's very helpful.

i'm going to shoot a roll through it and see how it goes. will keep you guys posted. thanks a lot for everyone's opinion.

 

[richard_l]

Fog lowers contrast and increases flare (which in turn lowers contrast still more). $200 is not a bad price if a good bath (around $100) will fix it, but unfortunately you won't know that until you send it off and get the verdict of an expert. When you test it be sure to get some shots with light sources in and near the field of view.

Richard

 

[dr.kollig]

So far all 50/1.5 I've seen were foggy, had one myself contrast wide open was crappy, I'm now using a first version 50/1.4, quite a difference. While I like some low contrast effects, this fog was not my style. $ 200 is cheap compared to Germany, I offered my foggy one at 250 € and it was sold within 2 weeks - marked as foggy, maybe someone just wanted to use it for display - as they do look nice. BTW, they need 41 mm filters, which might be hard to find.
Run a test and decide for yourself!

Wolfram

 

[former member]

I use 40.5mm filters with my Summarit, one wrap of teflon tape used for plumbing fixtures does the trick. On the M-Mount summarit, I found a Series VI adapter.

 

[richard_l]

I use a 41->46mm step-up ring. I need 46mm filters for another lens anyhow.

 

[Stu W]

There are 2 types of vintage Leica lenses. Those that had a recent cla and those that need one. You have to allow $100+ when you buy one.

 

[mkyy]

here's one picture from the summarit. tri-x at 1600 in 1:50 rodinal. i think it's a keeper, i'll shoot another roll later.

here is a larger version.