Summaron 35mm 3.5 LTM with haze

[Uglee]

I have a 1951 Summaron that I am trying to clean. I am having difficulty accessing the inner lens surfaces at the diaphragm. I can easily remove the front and rear lens elements, but I cannot see how to remove the inner lens block. Can the lens located behind the diaphragm be removed from this point or am I looking a a total tear down? I have not been successful in finding any tutorials or diagrams on line.

I called a local repair shop ( San Francisca area) and was quoited a minimum $300 for a cleaning. I would appreciate any guidance or insight regarding a DIY cleaning or reasonable cost professional repair. The lens is in otherwise excellent condition.

 

[Vics]

Check with Youxin Ye. Very quick turn-around and reasonable prices. http://yyecamera.com/

 

[Uglee]

Thank you Vic. I see that Youxon's estimates are very reasonable. It is a bit ironic that I will be in his area this spring and had planned to use this lens on that trip.

 

[Rdtaylor_sea]

Don't know if you've done anything yet but Youxin cleaned the internal haze from my LTM Summaron 3.5 last fall. Cost was $60 and it looks like new. Fantastic lens.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Youxin is known to have a turnaround that is pretty much same day, as far as the work is concerned. You could email him, start a dialogue, say you'll be in the Boston area and perhaps could drop off the lens for a day for him to work on. He's very accommodating and one of the nicest camera techs out there.

As for the repair itself, the later LTM f/3.5 Summaron is one of the easiest lenses to work on but I seem to remember not being able to clean a bit of the inside of one group, I think because of the issue you are mentioning. It's been a couple years since I've worked on one. I will also depend upon which LTM version you have as there are several.

Phil Forrest

 

[Uglee]

Thank you Rdtaylor and Phil. I was about to contact Youxon but decided to take another look at the lens. This time I discovered that the inner lens groups are pressed in to the diaphragm block. I noticed a slight movement of the front group and was able to remove it using a very small suction cup. The inner lens surfaces cleaned up quite easily and the reassembly went smoothly. I recently used the lens on my IIIa and was pleasantly surprised with the resolution though the lens is still soft compared to my Zeiss or Cannon lenses.

I am relieved to know that we have someone as capable and reasonable as Youxon available to service our equipment. I am also very grateful that I have the members of this forum to to ask for help with their knowledge and advice when most needed. Thanks.

David Lee