Salvaging lens with damaged front coating

[denishr]

I just put a question on photo.net Leica forum (" Older 'cron 50/2 - removing front element for repolishing") about a problem with my Summicron M 50/2, which has badly damaged front coating - looks like milky fingerprint or something on the front element. Anyway, I'm thinking about having the front element repolished, thus *removing* the remaining coating, which is hazy anyway, and is practically unusable outdoors.
Since the lens still gives good results indoors with no backlighting, I'm still not sure whether this is the best way. But, I guess the results should be better without *any* coating than as it is now - with a milky, hazy smudge on the front...
Any thoughts on this?

Denis

 

[denishr]

Indoor sample

Indoor sample

BTW, here's an example of what can be achieved with this lens *indoors*.

 

[taffer]

Denis, I came across this place some days ago

http://www.centurycameras.com/polishing.htm

May be interesting to drop them some lines to know more about their services, and also they are placed in UK.

Sure there are other places, such as Focal Point or Essex.

Good luck ! 🙂

 

[denishr]

Denis, I came across this place some days ago

http://www.centurycameras.com/polishing.htm

Thanks Oscar, I think I'll try the local guys first - they are experienced in handling glass - they're an optical store with several decades' tradition and very good equipment - I think they even do coatings, so I might even try new AR coating, if they say it's OK.
That might additionally cut down on flare, after removing old coating and repolishing, which should also remove the "cleaning marks".

We'll see - I'll post any reports and results in case I go that route...

Denis