Front element for 50MM Summicron

[johne]

I recently acquired an M2 with a 50mm Summicron, collapsable. The lens has a frozen aperture ring and has excessive cleaning marks. Anyone know where one can get a new front element for this lens at less than an arm and a leg? Please advise.
Johne


I can still use my screw mount lens with adaptors so I am not desperate----yet.

I think arax does this. Does anyone have the address?

 

[phototone]

You don't need a new front element, you just need this front element polished and re-coated. At the same time this is done, you can clean (or have cleaned) the aperture ring and re-lubricate it so it will turn smoothly. There are several ways to have this work done, and if you look through previous posts, you will find a long thread where I and another member sent our front elements off to Arax in Kiev, Ukraine and for a very modest fee had them polished, recoated just like new, except they are now multi-coated to modern standards. Another option would be to send the whole lens to DAG camera repair here in the States and have him do the whole job. It will cost 5 times as much, though. The polish and recoat from Arax was about $35, plus modest shipping each way. Expect to pay in excess of $250 from DAG, but he will go through the whole lens and clean and lubricate. You can do this cleaning and lubricating yourself if you are handy with tools. The likelyhood of you finding an un-scratched Summicron front element are very remote, unless you get a lens that is good overall, and you wouldn't want to take the front element from a good lens.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Can you post the address and contact information for Arax?

 

[denishr]

Brian, you can use http://araxfoto.com

You'll find contact details there, together with mail form for contact.

Denis

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Next cheap collapsible Summicron to come along...I will give this a try!

 

[johne]

My thanks to all. Johne

 

[johne]

@phototone

Arax only wants the front glass. Do you have any "how to" suggestion on CLA the lens? I am a klutz with tools. I got into my Zorki 2S and wound up sending it to Oleg for CLA [and re-assembly!]. Sherry Krauter said that the lens is in two parts. How do I get them apart and how do I clean? Or do I not tempt disaster at all and have someone else do it.

Just curious.

Johne

 

[phototone]

@phototone

Arax only wants the front glass. Do you have any "how to" suggestion on CLA the lens? I am a klutz with tools. I got into my Zorki 2S and wound up sending it to Oleg for CLA [and re-assembly!]. Sherry Krauter said that the lens is in two parts. How do I get them apart and how do I clean? Or do I not tempt disaster at all and have someone else do it.

Just curious.

Johne

While it is true that Arax only wants the front glass, he will, if pressed take the whole lens. You might explain to him that the lens needs cleaning and lubricating and you are incapable of doing this, and have no one available to do it for you.

However this could be a good opportunity for you to learn about these things. There are books available on Leica camera and lens repair. The Tomosoy one in particular gives instructions on lens dis-assembly. You will need a couple of specialised tools, that are available from Micro-Tools. Once you get the "hang" of it, you can take the satisfaction in cleaning and lubricating all of your future lens purchases that need it. You can feel confident in purchasing "less than pristine" lenses at good prices and make them into good "shooters". A Summicron is not a holy relic. It was built by a human. It can be repaired by a human.

 

[johne]

Well, sounds challenging but since I am older than home-made-sin, I question how deft I can be. Thanks for the info. Johne

PS I am "pressing" Arex to do it all.

 

[blee017]

Arax does CLA as well as polish/recoat.
I sent my old elmar for CLA plus polish/recoat and the total cost was $76 including shipping back to US.

 

[johne]

blee017
Sounds like a deal! Thanks. Johne

 

[johne]

For better, I hope, it is in the mail. Time will tell. Johne

 

[johne]

29 Sep 2005 FYI
Fifteen days since last post. Heard today and paid for work. Full CLA, repolish, and recoat front lens element. Total, including return postage, $101.++ [There is a 5.5% to transfer funds--well worth it!] Will report result when arrives.
Johne

 

[johne]

Was recently told it "is in process." Waiting-----------waiting----------waiting. Johne

 

[blee017]

My Elmar sent in early September hasn't returned yet. :bang:

 

[johne]

blee017
Did you have similar restoration service? Just curious.
Johne

 

[blee017]

Yeap, CLA plus front element polishing/coating.

 

[johne]

blee017
Ouch! Hope it means that he is so professional and skilled that he has a backlog.
Johne

 

[blee017]

They do have a backlog, I guess, as their website mentioned a three-week vacation in August.
Also, it seems that they don't do polishing jobs on site.
Here's what I heard from Gevorg.
"I give them to my optic technician. He bring them to factory and control the process."

I didn't expect a fast turnover when I shippied mine to Ukraine so as long as they do a good job, I'd be a happy camper. (fingers crossed)

John

 

[johne]

blee017

If I hear anything I will pass it along. In the meanwhile, NVP [Norman Vincent Peale--"Power of Positive Thinking" ] ( 🙂
John