Summicron 50mm... Haze? Fungus?

The lens is prone to flare anyway. Mine has a little haze. It's been in constant use all its life. I missed one shot due to unacceptable flare. Pristine looking lenses left on shelves in the dark are likely not as good as scuffed barrel lenses on working cameras.
 
splitimageview said:
Haze will reduce contrast, which can be offset to some extent via software. It will also reduce the value of the lens...have you sent the haze pics to the seller yet?
Click to expand...

I did, and he claims that that wasn't there when he shipped it and asked me to wipe it off with a cloth because "it looks like someone put a fingerprint on it".

This has me worried because if I send it back he can claim I returned the lens defective or something like that. The last thing I need is a Paypal fight. Not looking forward to that.

I paid $975 including shipping.
 
Many sellers who aren't familiar with lenses just look through the glass with diffused light and they will look clear. It requires a point source light to reveal the haze, which will show that it is internal and not possible to be wiped. It's your call, of course, but I wouldn't pay that much for a hazy lens.
 
I sent the lens back. As good as the images look, I found myself pushing the contrast and sharpness sliders all the way up to compensate for an otherwise dull, soft image.
 
darkrami said:
I sent the lens back. As good as the images look, I found myself pushing the contrast and sharpness sliders all the way up to compensate for an otherwise dull, soft image.
Click to expand...

I did not know you had to do that. Good call sending it back.

$900 is a lot for a lens in that shape. You can get the current 6bit Summicron 50 for $1100 used, in outstanding shape.

check fredmiranda.com
 
FM is as safe as Ebay if you pay via Paypal. There's also a pretty good feedback system in place. I have a current version 50mm Summicron on sale in the RFF classifieds at the moment. I sold it a few days ago on FM and the buyer was unhappy with the cosmetics. He found a few scratches on the barrel and a little paint loss on the focus ring. I gave him a full refund, paid the return shipping and have re-listed it. Stuff happens and the buyer may not always be right but when it's his or her money they need to be happy with the sale.
 
FYI I shoot with a bunch of glass - Leica, Zeiss, Voigtlander etc. I have old and new ones.
Given the choice between an old, possibly poor shape Summicron or a like new Zeiss Planar 50 f2, I'd pick the Zeiss. Remarkable lens with much much better flare resistance than a Cron. Like new condition ones can be had for about $600 +-
 
Huss said:
FYI I shoot with a bunch of glass - Leica, Zeiss, Voigtlander etc. I have old and new ones.
Given the choice between an old, possibly poor shape Summicron or a like new Zeiss Planar 50 f2, I'd pick the Zeiss. Remarkable lens with much much better flare resistance than a Cron. Like new condition ones can be had for about $600 +-
Click to expand...

I actually use my Zeiss 50/2 more than my Summicron. You can get a new one for under $900 USD.
 
Ok so I received a full refund and took advantage of KEH 25% off sale and got me a 35mm Nokton 1.4 classic and a Nokton 50mm 1.5, both rated as excellent+ condition. The two lenses combined cost me a bit less than the Summicron.

I just got them today (two day free shipping!) and I'm dying to go out try them out. Should I keep my expectations in check?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/129516046@N04/shares/649R77
 
Last edited:
darkrami said:
Ok so I received a full refund and took advantage of KEH 25% off sale and got me a 35mm Nokton 1.4 classic and a Nokton 50mm 1.5, both rated as excellent+ condition. The two lenses combined cost me a bit less than the Summicron.

I just got them today (two day free shipping!) and I'm dying to go out try them out. Should I keep my expectations in check?
Click to expand...

Good call!

They should both be excellent. It's amazing the value that can be found when you look past Leica lenses - they are not cheap lenses - they would be in the upper range of Canon or Nikon, just less costly than Leica lenses.
 
darkrami said:
Ok so I received a full refund and took advantage of KEH 25% off sale and got me a 35mm Nokton 1.4 classic and a Nokton 50mm 1.5, both rated as excellent+ condition. The two lenses combined cost me a bit less than the Summicron.

I just got them today (two day free shipping!) and I'm dying to go out try them out. Should I keep my expectations in check?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/129516046@N04/shares/649R77
Click to expand...

Excellent call! I especially look forward to seeing images from the 35 1.4 as that has a poor rep amongst some, but I have a feeling that it's not the lens but the user that is the problem..
I've read nothing but good about the 50 1.5.
 
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