Summitar 50/2

No special tips- get them in one at a time, and on the last one: you have to lift the first one over it. No magic, just lots of patience.

I flood-clean the aperture blades in place, really not a big reason to take them out.
 
Be aware that some Summitars have two sets of differently shaped aperture blades. And if you put them in the wrong way, you'll have to dump them and start over.

It's been a long time since I had one of these apart, but I think they have to be placed in alternating order.
 
The Late post-war Summitars have a double-blade Hexagon shape aperture. The older ones, up to 1950 o so- normal looking aperture. My two Coated Summitars has had the circular blades.
 
Not sure which one mine is (made in 1948), but it has 10 blades that were the same shape (curved with one end rounded, the other is flat). The trick is that with the lens sitting on the table, you need to put the blades in counter-clockwise with the "flat end" facing upwards (or to the right).

Once you have done that it is quite simple to get them to drop into their holes and it's done. They do not go in cleanly with the rounded end to the right (or facing upwards) and will bind up when trying to get them to drop into the hole.

That is what killed me for ages!

If anyone is having a similar problem let me know and I can draw some photos or take some pictures.

With that knowledge it really is quite a simple lens to take apart completely.

Thanks all for your help! A great forum!
 
Last edited:
Brian Sweeney said:
The Late post-war Summitars have a double-blade Hexagon shape aperture. The older ones, up to 1950 o so- normal looking aperture. My two Coated Summitars has had the circular blades.
Click to expand...

A slightly related question - have you any tricks to repair a loose lens barrel?

I imagine it could be short term repaired with a small gasket to take up the slack but I do not think that it would be a good long term repair.

This one in particular is so loose that it is annoying to use on a camera. Adjusting the aperture just unlocks the barrel from the mount.

Cheers (yet again)
 
As much as I like different repair projects on lenses and cameras - and I have done a few - I'd just get a new one, if I were you - your Summitar just seems to have too many issues, unfortunatelly. I'd keep it for spares.
 
It sounds like the mount is worn. The Summitar generally locks into place quite nicely. Now- my collapsible Nikkor 5cm f2, does not firmly lock into place. I bent the tabs out slightly on the Nikkor. I will look at the Summitar/Summicron.
 
Krosya said:
As much as I like different repair projects on lenses and cameras - and I have done a few - I'd just get a new one, if I were you - your Summitar just seems to have too many issues, unfortunatelly. I'd keep it for spares.
Click to expand...

Hi Krosya,

It seems a shame to have come this far and to give up now. Definitely not adverse to just getting another one, but at the same time I am not scared of a little challenge! 🙂

Also considering this is the last "issue", I would love to see what pictures this len's can make before giving up on it and retiring it to a "parts" lens.
 
Okay- if bending the tabs out a little does not do it: time for a stupid idea.

Wrap the bottom of the collapsible portion with some teflon tape used for plumbing fixtures to tighten things up. Move it into the extended position and leave it there. Just do not use it as a collapsible.
 
I do not use my collapsible Nikkor as a collapsible either because it is so loose; I cut a piece of heavy black vinyl hose to size, slit one end open, and slipped it into the gap on the extended lens. Not elegant, but works well, and is easily reversible.

I have had good luck bending the tabs on a summitar and collapsible sonnars to snug up the fit.
 
Funny you suggest that, I tried something similar earlier tonight and have had some temporary success.

Used normal sello tape and wrapped it around the base evenly 1 full turn.

Has definitely tightened it up to the point where it is usable and collapsable. Will see how long it lasts before it disintegrates.

A ghetto fix no doubt, but at least the lens is ready to be used. Will post up a shot or two when I develop the first roll!

Cheers again Brian!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom