Lens cleaning/servicing in the UK?

[Coldkennels]

My 1938 Summar has never been the cleanest lens in my collection but I love it far more than people tell me I should. However, I just got it off the shelf and gave it a look-over and that front element looks like it might have the start of some fungal growth (blergh).

Does anyone have any recommendations for lens cleaning and servicing in the UK? I have a hazed up A36 Summaron which could probably do with the same treatment, so maybe it's time I bit the bullet and paid for both of them to get a good once-over.

 

[Ste_S]

Have you thought about giving it a go yourself? No experience with Lecia glass, however I managed to clean up a Canon 50mm 1.8 ltm without too much difficulty (and I'm normally terrible with fixing stuff).

 

[Coldkennels]

I'm not sure how much I'd trust myself, to be honest. The Summar is uncoated and I'm pretty sure I'd scratch it to hell the second I tried cleaning it at all.

 

[alexmuir]

Newton and Ellis who are in or around Liverpool are always recommended for servicing classic equipment. I haven’t used them, but I’ve seen lots of positive recommendations. It would be worth a call at least to see if they could help.
Alex


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[CharlesDAMorgan]

Newton Ellis have done a fantastic job on one Leica lens and one Zeiss lens I've had. Ian, who specialises in Leica kit is absolutely snowed under. Last time 3 months turned into 9.

Try Richard Caplan in Mayfair (yes I know) - their repair guy they send stuff to took under a month to sort rangefinder misalignment and a full cla of my 35mm Goggled Summaron - despite the location they were no more expensive than Newton Ellis.

I would avoid anybody who doesn't habitually service Leica kit - that's my experience talking, one highly touted young man failed to sort the rangefinder misalignment for more than a day, and other repairers I've heard some horrible tales.

 

[rulnacco]

You could also call Aperture in London. They have (or at least did have, when I was last in London the summer before last) a very Leica-experienced and capable repair person--and they're probably not so busy that it will take forever to get the work done. I had a Hasselblad lens repaired by them, and it took about a week.

Errr, unfortunately, their main page says that their repair service is closed during the lockdown. But they're good (the same gentleman is apparently doing the repairs still) and, when they are open, quite fast.

 

[Harley75]

I would recommend Alan Starkie at https://www.cameraworks-uk.com/

He cleaned my A36 Summaron last year and did a superb job. You must, however, have patience as he is very busy and concentrates of work more that communication. As always, the best things in life are worth waiting for. My recollection is that it took around three months to turn round.

 

[Huss]

These guys are good...

https://skyllaney.com/services/

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

They offer some interesting services. Re-polishing the glass on my Nickel Elmar would be rather fun, the haze is pretty much impossible to remove with normal cleaning.

 

[Coldkennels]

You could also call Aperture in London. They have (or at least did have, when I was last in London the summer before last) a very Leica-experienced and capable repair person--and they're probably not so busy that it will take forever to get the work done.

I'm familiar with Aperture - I had my IIIf serviced by them a few years ago. Wasn't impressed. Had some noticeably uneven exposures on the high speeds after the service. Ended up taking it to Red Dot and getting them to service it again, and - touch wood - it's been running much better since then.

Maybe I just got unlucky, but considering the potential for totally destroying a lens, I'd rather not risk it with Aperture.

 

[Coldkennels]

These guys are good...

https://skyllaney.com/services/

Are these guys new? I've not heard of them before. Website looks interesting - trying to become a UK-based manufacturer of rangefinder lenses in 2020 is pretty bold!

 

[davidswiss]

A couple of years ago when I had a IIIc I used http://www.camserve.co.uk/ourservices.html

in East Sussex and was impressed.

 

[pan-man]

The one I can tell you not to send to is Classic Camera (also in London). Rangefinder on the M4 was out so their service guy took 3 weeks to return it focusing ok...well ok over 1m. The dude in the shop was also adamant that M4 are not supposed to focus under 1m.

I then sent it to Aperture to get it fixed. Turnaround was 1 week and the guy was honest to highlight a few issues with the fast speeds that were beyond adjustment. Also had a 35/2 R done there, that was ok.

I've since sent the M4 for some mods to Alan Starkie and that's a 4 month wait (still waiting for it) so beware of that.