HELP Focusing tab on 35mm Summicron v2 fell off

davidbivins

davidbivins

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I pulled my M4 out of my pocket to take shots on the subway platform and OUCH that's not a focusing ring under my tender left index finger! That's a sharp little screw! The tab had fallen off (later found in the bag I had pulled the camera from at home). Seems that it unscrewed itself.

The screw seems to be driven from inside the focusing ring rather than something that's driven from outside the tab into the ring. Am I correct in assuming I'm going to have to get this professionally done? I'm certainly not enthused about doing it myself unless it's very simple and doesn't require much disassembly. I'm smart enough to know that I'm not trained to do that. But this was a beater lens (very worn, many scratches on the front element) so I'm also not enthused about paying a ton to have a little tab put on. On the other hand, it's a Leica, so I don't necessarily want to go cheap and just dab some super glue on and call it a day.

By the way, this thing is impossible to focus with any degree of speed without the tab. There's nothing else to grip.

Any thoughts, forum?

Thanks,
David.
 
I believe the lens does require some disasembly. Get it repaired correctly, beater or not. I recommend Berry Camera Repair, 844 6th Avenue at 29th street, 212-685-9334. I've always had reliable fast service with them.
 
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Yes. They have been in business for years. They know "old" cameras.

You can also try a camera repair place on 13th Street, between 3rd and 4th Avenues in the city. Closer to 4th, on south side of street. I can't remember their name at the moment. They're very reliable as well. One of these two places should help you out. I don't believe the repair would cost much, but it depends on how much disasembly is required. They certainly would be faster then sending the lens to Leitz in New Jersey!!

Good luck.
 
Thanks so much for the tips, Keith. I have another M4 out for CLA through Tamarkin and I know I'm paying a markup - then again, they've been kind to me in other ways so I don't mind giving them business.
 
Would this be also an opportunity to send the front element to Oleg for polishing and coating?
 
Yes, but I kind of like the fact that it's beat up. Psychologically I feel less "precious" about it. Not that I'm knocking it into walls or anything, but I don't break out into hives whenever the lens cap is off like I do with my 58mm 1.2 Minolta lens. And I take nice pictures with it as-is.
 
kbg32 said:
For M repair and overhaul, the best for reasonable price is Youxin Ye up near Boston.
Click to expand...

Does he do lenses as well? I thought he was more of an early M body specialist, I might be wrong. thanks
 
Follow-up: I took it to Berry Camera Repair at lunch today. It's going to cost $82, take a week, and they are cash-only. Seems like a lot of money, but it's local and he did say it's a real pain to disassemble this particular lens, AND the tab has a small piece broken out of it.
I just want the lens working again!
Just wanted to post this info FYI in case anyone searches on this later.
 
Berry is a good place David, so don't worry. I think they are very fair and honest in their pricing. They fixed a 28 Elmarit R for me recently that had focusing problems. Got it back like new. They explained to me what they had to do and I believe the 80 odd dollars I spent was worth it. Good luck with the lens. You will be happy.
 
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I probably didn't write that well - I meant "It might seem to be a lot of money, but..." meaning that I think it's worth it. I went there based on your recommendation, Keith, and I'm confident I made a good choice.
In fact, I'll be bringing in some of my other cameras. It was nice to see that it was a working workshop and not just a front counter.
 
David, I was collecting half frame cameras for awhile and I would bring them in for a CLA and have them checked out in general. They seemed to be familiar with almost every one that I brought in and it always brought a smile to the counterman's face. Don't know if he thought I was fool or if he was generally happy to see something different.
 
I believe it. I spoke with him about several other cameras that need attention and he got rather impatient with me in a friendly way. He kept saying "yes, yes, any camera. Yes, Minolta. Yes, Leica..." etc.
 
Just a followup to say that Berry Camera did a wonderful job and the lens is in working order. I dropped off a CLE that jammed when I picked this up, so we'll see how that goes.
 
Guys, This is very helpful. I have 35mm summilux that is missing its tab.
Its basically useless with a small screw sticking out.
I emailed Youxin and he said to send it to DAG for repair. I emailed DAG and he said 120 for a CLA and repair, which is what I expected. I know that it will be gone for a while, so maybe Berry Camera is another alternative. The price is about the same and I'm on the upper westside and I would like to have in sooner than later.
It seems like Youxin likes to stick to CLAs of non-metered and LTM cameras and lenses, which is fine. Both DAG and Youxin do excellent work and its great to have a local option. thanks.
 
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This has recently happen to me as well...I went to the leica stockist in NORWAY where I live and was told it had to be sent off to leica in germany...and it was expected to take up to 10 weeks. I was surprised to say the least, 10 weeks...., so I took it home.

Does anyone know a place in SCANDINAVIA or UK or anywhere else I can get this repaired? Anywhere in the US that does international customers?

.....preferably quicker than 10 weeks?
 
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