Leica 50mm Summicron DR repair and cleaning information

jordanstarr

J.R.Starr
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I can't find an exploded view or repair guide/manual anywhere for this or another similar lens. I've taken apart plenty of lenses for cleaning (fungus/haze) with NO PROBLEMS. This is the first lens I've hit a snag with and can't get the front element off. I know I'm missing something really basic and I'm sure it comes apart 'cause there's a retaining ring in there. If you have information that is useful, I'd appreciate it.

...Unless the lenses are fused in there and need to be machined out I don't need to hear naysayer comments like "don't do it", "take it to a professional", etc. I've done this plenty of times with other lenses, shot with them and they've turned out perfect and better than before.

Lens has fungus. Needs to be removed ASAP. Thanks in advance.
 
I've taken several of these apart, and learned the hard way that the elements are almost a compression fit. They come out, but are very tight. Interchanging elements requires some careful measurements. But it worked out for me.

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I use a soft suction cup from a "Sun Catcher" toy. On top of that, used some lend cleaning fluid -slight amount- to get more suction out of the cup. Several tugs were required on all of the lenses disassembled.
 

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Not sure where the fungus in your lens is, but the two that I cleaned only had haze behind and in front of the aperture. To get there is very easy, the front half of the optical barrel just un-screws. Also, coatings are very soft.
 
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Where I have labeled "Access to front of element before aperture", that block simply unscrews to expose the aperture.

Be careful around the blades, they can fall out very easily.
 
Give it a try, post back here. I have a Parts Type 1 Rigid Summicron that can be torn down for further detail.
 
To split the optics module into two sections:

Do not take any set screws out.

Use two strips of rubber, like from a mousepad.

Grasp the bottom the the optics module with one, and the knurled rings at the top of the lens with the other. Hold tight and twist, they front section comes off before the aperture blades. The section unscrews with the Aperture Index DOT on one piece, and the aperture ring with the other.
 
Summicron type 1 Rigid Break down.

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Optics out of focus mount:

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Front ring and washer out, use suction cup for front element which is very tight.

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then retaining rings for inner elements are accessible. Will also require suction cup.
 

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Break down optics module.

I use split hollow rubber corks:

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Separation occurs with F-stop ring on one section and index on the other.

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Yes. You'll find an M2 repair manual online - used to be for the military. That also has an exploded diagram of the DR in it, if you are interested.
 
The optics module on the DR and Type I Rigid Summicron are identical. The DR Summicron modules were probably "cherry picked" to be tighter on focal length deviations.
 
Thanks Roland! I'll keep an eye out for that repair manual, my M2 has got some minor surgery scheduled, maybe I can do it myself.

I don't know if it's proper to directly link to a file, but the M2 manual is available at http://www.pentax-manuals.com/manuals/service/leica_m2_service.pdf

Here's the table of contents:

INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1. GENERAL FUNCTIONING
Section I. Camera body
Section II. Exposure meter
Section III. Lenses
Section IV. Flash unit
CHAPTER 2. TROUBLESHOOTING
Section I. Camera body
Section II. Exposure meter
Section III. Lenses
Section IV. Flash unit
CHAPTER 3. DISASSEMBLY
Section I. Camera body
Section II . Exposure meter
Section III. Lenses
Section IV. Flash unit
CHAPTER 4. REPAIR AND ALIGNING
Section I. Camera body
Section II . Exposure meter
Section III. Lenses
Section IV. Flash unit
CHAPTER 5. REASSEMBLY
Section I. Camera body
Section II . Exposure meter
Section III. Lenses
Section IV. Flash unit
APPENDIX A. TOOL LIST
APPENDIX B. REFERENCES
PART 2. ILLUSTRATIONS
 
Good photos thanks.
Regarding the DR version, I bought one near mint but it seems to wobble a bit when mounted on camera. A couple of the screws were a bit loose so I tightened them, no change. It's like the barrel is loose, and I also have a Summicron R mount with the same issue.
Any ideas on why it wobbles ?
Cheers.
 
Hi, I am new here and have a question about disassembling the Summicron DR.
I got everything apart except the back lens group. I took off the retaining ring and washer. Then I tried to take the back lens out with a lens sucker. No way. I can move the lens, that means, I can twist it, but it won‘t move outward. I even tried to let a bit of Isopropyl suck into the side of the lens barrel in case some old grease or oil could hold the lens in.
But no succes so far. That is very annoying, because there is quite some haze inside and it seems to sit between the back lens and the lens before the aperture assembly. Everything else is cleaned and back in place ( including aperture blades). I just can‘t get the last step done. Any ideas? Thanks!
 
Summicron 50mm rigid V1 Front element

Summicron 50mm rigid V1 Front element

Where I have labeled "Access to front of element before aperture", that block simply unscrews to expose the aperture.

Be careful around the blades, they can fall out very easily.

Hi everyone, I am disassembling this very lens but having managed to take out the very front lens element I cannot seem to detach the front group assembly (the one that sits just in front of the aperture and should unscrew?
 
You need to get the whole optical module out of the focusing mount to properly service this lens. Often times, the knurled ring at the front of the lens will come loose before anything else will. You may need to apply some alcohol and les the lens warm up sitting in a window in the sun. If you can't get this apart properly, send it out for service.

Phil Forrest
 
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