Summicron Collapsible ??

[cosmonaut]

I have had two. Both apertures ring were stiffer than the collapsible lock part. So when turning the aperture the whole end of the lens turns. Is this normal? Am I missing something? Is there a tip on locking the lens so I can change aperture without turning the end of the lens too?

 

[Ljós]

Hi cosmonaut,

no, with a collapsible Summicron in good working order, you can change the aperture all day long many times and the lens itself will not move. You can leave the lens uncollapsed and think of it as a rigid lens. Also focus does not change.

But, before I got my copy in good condition, I bought one which I returned upon inspection (it was also off-focus by more than a meter, among other things), and this one was like your experience: it was not possible to set the aperture without holding the front in place. And it should not be like that.

Hope that helps!
Greetings, Ljós

 

[Vics]

That's not normal. My aperture ring turns much easier than the collapse lock part does. Any tech can fix that.

 

[cosmonaut]

That's not normal. My aperture ring turns much easier than the collapse lock part does. Any tech can fix that.

Where is a good place to send it?

 

[Blind_spark]

I had a Summitar with the same condition (Half a century's worth of dried grease). I had hoped use would loosen it up, but I ended up disassembling it using Justin Low's guide (google it =p); it has now become much more of a joy to use.

I imagine the Collapsible Summicron is similar in construction, save the click stops, but I'm not about to take apart my minty example to confirm =). So, unless you consider yourself a nimble repair man, DAG would be my recommendation.

 

[cosmonaut]

I just dropped Steve's Cameras in Ca an email. I wouldn't dare try to do it myself. The lens is older than me with many more years in it save me taking it apart.

 

[Ljós]

Is it focussing correctly? Taking care of the aperture resistance is not a big deal for a technician.

If the focus needs adjustment, too, that is not a trivial thing with a collapsible Summicron. I read as much here at RFF, and then I talked on the phone with a german technician who is/was the go-to guy for the German Leica Forum. He told me that he can't adjust focus on collapsible Summicrons, that they were set at assembly and that's that.
However Will van Manen (Netherlands) told me, that yes, they were tricky to adjust... but he could do it.

So, if it just the aperture, take your pick in the US. If focus is off (of course you would have to make sure that it is the lens, not your camera body) it sounds like a job for DAG or Sherry Krauter.

Greetings, Ljós

 

[Vics]

youxin Ye in Boston will fix it and turn it around to you quick. wye7@yahoo.com

 

[cosmonaut]

The problem is more it comes unlocked to easy, almost like it's not locking at all, aperture turns fairly smooth. I did read the guide and the front element comes off easy enough with no small parts to lose. It has been taking tack sharp images. No issues there.

 

[cosmonaut]

It is stiffer than the focus though. Is that normal, should it be looser?

 

[cosmonaut]

Plus. I can see the track the aperture rides on. If a drop of fancy grease in the right place might fix it then I hate to box it up and ship it off to Ca or somewhere else.
How common is it for focus to get off? I have run several rolls through it. The only time it has missed focus is once I forgot to uncollapse it...LOL

 

[Ljós]

How common is it for focus to get off? I have run several rolls through it. The only time it has missed focus is once I forgot to uncollapse it...LOL

I do not think there are hard statistics, and I did not mean to imply with my post that they come out of spec easily. If the lens was plenty sharp for you so far, you are golden. I just added the comment just in case, so that you could pick a technician who can fix everything in one go, if needed.

 

[cosmonaut]

I do not think there are hard statistics, and I did not mean to imply with my post that they come out of spec easily. If the lens was plenty sharp for you so far, you are golden. I just added the comment just in case, so that you could pick a technician who can fix everything in one go, if needed.

That's good to know. Anytime I miss focus I worry.lol last time out was when I thought I forgot to uncollapse it. I am almost done with another roll so I'll see.

 

[cosmonaut]

OMG, I fixed it. The front element just screws off. A very small drop of lighter fluid on either side in the tracks that the ring travels in. It works freely now, thanks all. Such an easy fix.....
Thanks Blind spark.

 

[Blind_spark]

I figured it would be similar! In the case of the Summitar, removing the two screws opposite each other on the aperture ring allowed it to be lifted off for more thorough cleaning/relube.

Glad you found success. =)