mdwsta4
Matty Westside
Hello. I recently purchased a LTM Summitar for what I felt was a good price. Unfortunately, I seem to be running into a few issues and was looking for guidance.
Upon receiving the lens, the aperture ring would not move and the focus ring was extremely stiff. After searching through the forums and stumbling upon Justin Low's tutorial, I was able to fix the stiff aperture ring and the focus ring. Unfortunately, when putting the rear lens back together I could not get the nearest focus point and infinity to align. I would be able to screw the pieces back together to get one or the other. So that's problem 1.
Today I received a LTM to M Mount adapter to use the lens. I tested it out on my M9 to see how everything worked. One thing I was afraid of was pulling up incorrect frame lines. Thankfully, I did not have that problem. However, I encountered two issues which may or may not be common since I've never used an LTM adapter before. First, should these adapters go on/off the camera body as easily as a regular M-mount lens? On both my M9 and M2, it seems like I have to really shove the lens on to align everything and lock it in. Second, on both cameras the damn thing wants to unscrew itself when I try to remove it! This may be due to a lack of grip on the Summitar lens and could easily be resolved with some loc-tite, but I wanted to know if this was common as well. This is problem 2.
Lastly, the lens front focuses quite a bit. This doesn't concern me as much on a digital body as I can review/reshoot easily enough. But as I primarily wanted to use this on my M2, it poses a problem. Could this be due to the focus ring issue I mentioned? Could it be related to the adapter? This is problem 3.
I guess what I'm getting at is the necessity of a CLA. It would be nice to have the focus ring properly aligned as well as the lens focusing properly. What would a service like this run? I have never had a CLA on a lens before. I'm not even sure if this would count as a CLA or really just an 'A'. Of course, dependent on price, and since they'd already have the lens, some internal dust could always be removed.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Unfortunately, after all is said and done, this lens doesn't appear to be as great of a deal as I initially thought. But perhaps once it is all repaired and can last another 60 years...
Thank you
M
Upon receiving the lens, the aperture ring would not move and the focus ring was extremely stiff. After searching through the forums and stumbling upon Justin Low's tutorial, I was able to fix the stiff aperture ring and the focus ring. Unfortunately, when putting the rear lens back together I could not get the nearest focus point and infinity to align. I would be able to screw the pieces back together to get one or the other. So that's problem 1.
Today I received a LTM to M Mount adapter to use the lens. I tested it out on my M9 to see how everything worked. One thing I was afraid of was pulling up incorrect frame lines. Thankfully, I did not have that problem. However, I encountered two issues which may or may not be common since I've never used an LTM adapter before. First, should these adapters go on/off the camera body as easily as a regular M-mount lens? On both my M9 and M2, it seems like I have to really shove the lens on to align everything and lock it in. Second, on both cameras the damn thing wants to unscrew itself when I try to remove it! This may be due to a lack of grip on the Summitar lens and could easily be resolved with some loc-tite, but I wanted to know if this was common as well. This is problem 2.
Lastly, the lens front focuses quite a bit. This doesn't concern me as much on a digital body as I can review/reshoot easily enough. But as I primarily wanted to use this on my M2, it poses a problem. Could this be due to the focus ring issue I mentioned? Could it be related to the adapter? This is problem 3.
I guess what I'm getting at is the necessity of a CLA. It would be nice to have the focus ring properly aligned as well as the lens focusing properly. What would a service like this run? I have never had a CLA on a lens before. I'm not even sure if this would count as a CLA or really just an 'A'. Of course, dependent on price, and since they'd already have the lens, some internal dust could always be removed.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Unfortunately, after all is said and done, this lens doesn't appear to be as great of a deal as I initially thought. But perhaps once it is all repaired and can last another 60 years...
Thank you
M
mdwsta4
Matty Westside
Perhaps the thread title is misleading and that's why there hasn't been any replies?
One issue that was resolved was the lens adapter. Apparently the manufacturer acknowledged an intolerance with their machining process resulting in a less than optimal fit. So I've ordered a fotodiox adapter and am hoping for better results with it.
Would still greatly appreciate insight/advice on the other issues.
Thank you!
M
One issue that was resolved was the lens adapter. Apparently the manufacturer acknowledged an intolerance with their machining process resulting in a less than optimal fit. So I've ordered a fotodiox adapter and am hoping for better results with it.
Would still greatly appreciate insight/advice on the other issues.
Thank you!
M
Scrambler
Well-known
Dunno why no replies. I just missed it.
CLA? - you haven't given any info on the Cleaning question, you have Lubed it already but it clearly needs Adjustment.
I haven't taken such a lens apart but one common issue is that some threads and particularly helicals can be started at more than one point. This is one cause of the sort of difficulty you are reporting. If you lubed the helical (and you did, didn't you?) then you could take it apart and try reassembling it with different starting points (marking a dot on the mount side and a matching one for each starting point on the lens helical) until you find one that works.
If no starting point solves your problem, the lens itself will require adjustment, and this is a job for a professional.
Even with a properly fitting LTM-M adapter you will have a tendency for the lens to very occasionally unscrew with removal. If you only use the lens with the adapter, loctite is a good idea. I don't use it myself but I have read there is a semi-permanent version which should be used rather than permanent.
Best of luck
CLA? - you haven't given any info on the Cleaning question, you have Lubed it already but it clearly needs Adjustment.
I haven't taken such a lens apart but one common issue is that some threads and particularly helicals can be started at more than one point. This is one cause of the sort of difficulty you are reporting. If you lubed the helical (and you did, didn't you?) then you could take it apart and try reassembling it with different starting points (marking a dot on the mount side and a matching one for each starting point on the lens helical) until you find one that works.
If no starting point solves your problem, the lens itself will require adjustment, and this is a job for a professional.
Even with a properly fitting LTM-M adapter you will have a tendency for the lens to very occasionally unscrew with removal. If you only use the lens with the adapter, loctite is a good idea. I don't use it myself but I have read there is a semi-permanent version which should be used rather than permanent.
Best of luck
rjschell
Established
Scrambler is right about different starting threads on the helical. Justin Low's instructions are good, and I think he gives some re-assembly hints. I did have trouble at first getting it right, but be patient and don't panic - you'll eventually get it back together properly.
Mike Riches
Established
Hi
Send it to DAG
Call him tell him the issues . when you need it back , He will give you a price .
Get it back - go shoot.
Best Mike
Send it to DAG
Call him tell him the issues . when you need it back , He will give you a price .
Get it back - go shoot.
Best Mike