Leica LTM Identifying lens separation?

[hexiplex]

Hey guys,

The Summitar I ordered for myself as a christmas present just arrived on monday, I have been having lots of fun with it, though as I lack monetary means at the moment, I havent been able to develop anything I've shot with it. That will have to wait until my pay and my student grant comes rolling in later this month.

But now to my question, and my only concern with the lens, the possibility of separation of the elements. Since my finances are at the moment quite sparse, as I mentioned above, I have little means of trying to identify the potential issue or it's effects on film, but I've done my best to photograph it with the camera on my phone. The perceived problem manifests itself as a slight ring of brightness along the edges, it appears to be inside of the barrel, though I find it slightly difficult to describe, let's hope the pictures below do more to illustrate the (perceived) problem than my words:

Just to clarify, this wouldn't be a concern if I had the money to pay for developing a roll or for buying some more fixer so I could determine what this might do to the result on film, but now, with the return period being up within 14 days I decided to seek council here before contacting the seller and possibly negotiating a reduction in price.

 

[Jockos]

Looks like separation, but that little wont affect your pictures much I imagine.
I had an Industar lens, which had ~1/3 separation in back element, added some vignetting (only wide open) and lowered edge resolution.
So you might see a slight performance decrease wide open, but stopped down, I'd imagine it's fine still.

 

[hexiplex]

Figured as much, the lens is otherwise really clean bar some very faint internal dust, so I think I'll keep it, the price was pretty decent ebay wise, 380 bucks with a UV-filter. Will send the seller a question anyways, might bear some fruit.

One more question is in regards to the UV filter, it has a really dim yellowish tint to it, does that need any correction exposure-wise would you think?

 

[John Shriver]

No, the filter doesn't need any exposure compensation. But do use it, the Summar, Summitar, and LTM Summicron 50mm lenses all have insanely soft "flint" glass for the front element -- crazy easy to scratch when cleaning. The UV filter will protect it.

Having mint front glass on a Summitar is really important, makes or breaks the lens. A slight separation in back is a small price to pay.