Summicron front element recoated by Arax, looks good.

Well, after about 6 weeks, I got the front element of my Summicron back. It looks very nice - like new... Actually, better than new, since it now has a better coating (more durable) than the original. :)

I took a few quick snaps on Efke 100, souped it in Rodinal, and the results are satisfactory. I tried several shots with strong backlight, and I'm pleased to say that in this regard the lens is much better now. I'll be shooting more with this lens, and will definitely have a better opinion whether anything has gone "wrong" with it during this procedure, but the first results look quite OK. In short, it was practically useless outdoors in bright light, whereas now I can't see any flaring and serious reduction of contrast...

Attached are two shots - first is one of the worst flare examples with this lens prior to recoating, and the second is my son, taken today with newly recoated front element, in roughly similar situation (strong backlight). Proof is in the pudding :)

Denis
 
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I just got back my recoated 35 Summicron from Gevorg, Because of the complexity of the lens, I had to send the whole thing to Kiev for them to dismantle. His technicians apparently did not like to do this--it involved opening 2 metal frames to remove uncemented pairs--but what was returned to me has mint optics, and a brief testing wide open indicates the familiar 8-element 35/2 fingerprint is intact. It seems like a major success in revitalizing what is these days a very expensive Leitz lens.

Thanks to this forum for the information to make this possible.

Ed
 
Well, I finally did some more shooting - color negative stuff, on consumer film, I think Fuji or something...
Lots of backlight, glaring sun, etc., etc...

Anyway, no flare or ghosting to speak of. I used a skylight filter and a lens hood - generic vented one I got from "Heavystar" on ebay...

Two shots attached are characteristic of lighting situation. Before recoating those shots would have been practically unusable.

The color might be a bit off, due to 1-hour lab scan :)

Denis
 
I too, recently received back a couple of front elements from older Leica lenses polished and recoated through Arax, and as always I am quite happy with the results. The front element probably is the most critical for coating, due to its position.

I now wonder what benefit I might get from having the front element coated on an otherwise uncoated optic.
 
I would like to add, that I think the modern multicoating that Arax provides is probably much, much harder than the coatings Leica used in the 1950's and 1960's.
 
Ed Schwartzreic said:
I just got back my recoated 35 Summicron from Gevorg, Because of the complexity of the lens, I had to send the whole thing to Kiev for them to dismantle. His technicians apparently did not like to do this--it involved opening 2 metal frames to remove uncemented pairs--but what was returned to me has mint optics, and a brief testing wide open indicates the familiar 8-element 35/2 fingerprint is intact. It seems like a major success in revitalizing what is these days a very expensive Leitz lens.

Thanks to this forum for the information to make this possible.

Ed
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Do you mean "uncemented pairs" or "cemented pairs"? I have been wondering if Arax could handle lenses that had cemented pairs? They would have to be uncemented to be polished and coated, then re-cemented.

What were the charges for your work? Did he recoat all the elements?
 
is the front element all you need to, or can, send to have recoated? i've put it off forever, but i want to bring a canon 28mm back to life.
 
ghost said:
is the front element all you need to, or can, send to have recoated? i've put it off forever, but i want to bring a canon 28mm back to life.
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I'm giving this a bump because I'm interested in the answer too.
 
I am considering sending Gevork a Summar, a Summarit, and a Summaron to have the front element recaoted and also to have the inside cleaned for each lens. I just requested an estimate of the cost from ARAX. I may send more lenses, but first I need to hear back from Gevork. None of the three lenses is really problematic, but I also would like a perect lens whenever possible.

Raid
 
Arax medium format cameras look quite nice as well... I'll have to keep an eye on that site.
 
I endorse this site without reservation. I have been most pleased with my transformed 50'crom.
Johne

@Denishr. Love the two color shots! Wonderful sharpness but the bokah is also excellent IMHO.
 
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I got an email back; it will cost $25/lens for cleaning and reassembly, and it will cost $30/lens for recoating. His main concern is the presence of any metal parts holding the glass elements.
 
On page 1 of this thread, someone suggested the 28mm M-rokkor as a good candidate for this type of repair. Did anyone ever contact Arax about that specific lens?

Wim
 
Ash - they are very nice! I'll scan and post something when I get a chance...

My only quibble about the whole Arax system is that the bokeh of the Arsat 80/2.8 is somewhat unpleasant.

Jamie
 
Some classic lenses have cemented pairs as first elements. If this is the case, the elements have to be separated, I would think, and this is a specialized task. Also, some classic lenses have the front elements held together with a knurled flange that is "rolled" over the element in manufacture. This has to be "cut" off in a lathe to separate the elements for recoating. Don't know if Arax technicians are able to do this.

In regards the recoating of "all" elements. It is usually only the front element that has suffered coating damage from cleaning. Then possibly the rear element, but I have never experienced any lens elements other than the front one needing polishing and re-coating. The internal elements do require cleaning, but you can do this while you are waiting for your front element to be sent back to you from polishing and recoating.
 
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