Old Summarit - Is this oil? (Image inside)

[bessasebastian]

Need help with this old 5cm f1.5 Summarit lens. Is this oil on the aperture blades? If yes, could this become a problem?

Bought the lens advertised as in great condition. I fear its not...

 

[bessasebastian]

Looks even worse from the rear element

 

[M. Valdemar]

Don't worry about it, just take some pictures.

If you want to really give yourself an anxiety heart-attack, take a bright LED flashlight, open the lens up to widest aperture, and peer through it to reveal all it's hazy splendor. Now you won't sleep nights.

Oops, sorry I said anything.

 

[noci]

your summarit looks way better than mine, and it takes neat pictures. so no worries... wanna trade? 😉

 

[Ororaro]

Don't worry about it, just take some pictures.

If you want to really give yourself an anxiety heart-attack, take a bright LED flashlight, open the lens up to widest aperture, and peer through it to reveal all it's hazy splendor. Now you won't sleep nights.

Oops, sorry I said anything.

If there is haze, just have it cleaned and you will have one of the most unique lens to shoot with. Many people shoot lens with haze inside and they "don't recommend the lens based on its optical qualities". what a joke.

To get back on topic: only you know if it's oil or friction. If it's oil, contact DAG and ask him if it's worth cleaning.

 

[Matthew Allen]

Unless the oil were interfering with the optics, I don't see why it would matter at all. People worry about oil in SLR lenses because it can prevent them from stopping down fast enough at the moment of exposure but obviously this is not a concern with a rangefinder since you close the aperture in advance.

Matthew

 

[bessasebastian]

Put differently: Would you consider this a reason to return the lens (and possibly have it cleaned) or not?

 

[Matthew Allen]

I would return the lens if either the optics were being compromised or if whatever substance is present on the aperture blades were showing any signs of fouling them mechanically or generally damaging them. Otherwise, probably not. Just my humble opinion of course, but from the photos it looks like the lens is in very nice shape.

Matthew

 

[bessasebastian]

Edit: Finally got a response from the dealer. Will take the lens back for service.

Thanks for looking