Liquid Fusion
Established
Hi. Summitar 50mm F 2.0 lens bought off Ebay: $217.50
Ad:
REAL NICE CONDITION
VERY CLEAN
NO FLAWS ON THE GLASS
NO OIL ON THE BLADES
WORKS FINE
Too expensive to clean? What would you do? Keep it and A) repair yourself B) repair professional or C) Return lens?
Background: Received the lens today - did the "flashlight Test" - shined a desk lamp through the rear of the lens. Saw "fingerprints" inside the lens. Return initiated - Listing not as described. Seller agreed to return and to pay for return shipping. At the Post Office, realized Ebay's return shipping label didn't include a tracking # or insurance. Ended up paying for a new return shipping label that included tracking# and Ins. Right now - holding the lens at the Post Office to add restricted delivery tomorrow.
Several sites have Summitar lens cleaning repairs described: Justin Low Summitar Repair | Kamera King Summitar Repair (Not for 6 blade lens)
Photo of Summitar Lens - Droid Turbo (Photoshop - Image / Adjustment / Levels)
Ad:
REAL NICE CONDITION
VERY CLEAN
NO FLAWS ON THE GLASS
NO OIL ON THE BLADES
WORKS FINE
Too expensive to clean? What would you do? Keep it and A) repair yourself B) repair professional or C) Return lens?
Background: Received the lens today - did the "flashlight Test" - shined a desk lamp through the rear of the lens. Saw "fingerprints" inside the lens. Return initiated - Listing not as described. Seller agreed to return and to pay for return shipping. At the Post Office, realized Ebay's return shipping label didn't include a tracking # or insurance. Ended up paying for a new return shipping label that included tracking# and Ins. Right now - holding the lens at the Post Office to add restricted delivery tomorrow.
Several sites have Summitar lens cleaning repairs described: Justin Low Summitar Repair | Kamera King Summitar Repair (Not for 6 blade lens)
Photo of Summitar Lens - Droid Turbo (Photoshop - Image / Adjustment / Levels)
02Pilot
Malcontent
At that price, I'd probably send it back. If I'd paid substantially less, I'd pop it open and clean it up. They aren't hard to open up if you have the tools and some experience, but I don't think I'd recommend it as a first lens to attempt to repair.
Ronald M
Veteran
You never know if it will fully clean up. So send it back as you did.
Liquid Fusion
Established
Hi. What tools do you need? Just asking.
Just bought these: CLA Lens Wrenches to open Summicron / Summitar lens.
"...a pair of stainless steel clamp wrenches. They are purposely designed for CLA the common Leica classic rigid Summicron, Summicron DR, collapsible Summicron and Summitar lens."
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
Return and do not waste time on old Leitz glass if you into taking of pictures.
If you are into repairs, those are good. Much easier comparing to FSU.
I cleaned some old Leitz lenses and most of the time no special tools are needed. But glass is very, very soft.
If you are into repairs, those are good. Much easier comparing to FSU.
I cleaned some old Leitz lenses and most of the time no special tools are needed. But glass is very, very soft.
Liquid Fusion
Established
Thanks for your input. Asking now, as if I can clean the lens, 217.50 is a good price. It's really more, as I've paid shipping 2X + bought a CLA wrench set (large / small) from Zhou. Have a window of time today where I can go to the Post Office and ask for the lens back vs sending it to seller with additional restricted delivery added to shipping. Aperture is tight.
Here are more photos.
Sid836
Well-known
If it is just dust and a fingerprint then cleaning it by yourself would be easy and all needed to get it back in shape. BUT (!) if there is hase, it is most likely that you will not be able to remove it. The soft surface of the glass of the summitar is prone to some chemical reaction (oxidation?) that renders them permanently hazed.
Also make sure than there are no fungus spots etched to the glass.
Also make sure than there are no fungus spots etched to the glass.
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
The whole front lens group unscrews from the lens tube. That should give you access to the fingerprinted surface.
Unless it's between the front two cemented elements. Than it's pretty much beyond DIY.
Unless it's between the front two cemented elements. Than it's pretty much beyond DIY.
toyfel
Established
Can't say I have any experience with fixing Leitz lenses or similar but it looks like you might be able to clean off the fingerprints if you unscrew the lens head. It's not difficult and doable even without special tools. Did it once myself but that was about ten years ago and I do not recollect the details but I am sure I didnt use special tools. Watch out for the aperture blades, IIRC they might come loose and very tricky to put back in place)
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
Yeah, the front part just unscrews. No tools required. No danger of the blades falling out.
To me it looks like the lens has gunk on the front of the third element (third from the left in the diagram below). I recently tried to access that surface on the Summitar below to clean out some haze, but was unsuccessful. As per Justin Low's and Kamera King's explanation it was easy to remove the entire front optical block as a single unit as it screws off exposing the aperture blade mechanism (the blades don't fall out). Which is great if you want to clean the glass surfaces either side of the aperture blades, but if you want to split the block to clean the front of the third element you need to separate the front two elements from the next two elements, and that proved impossible for me. Best left to the experts with the right tools IMO.
mcfingon
Western Australia
My Summitar has got some haze and small spots of something hiding between the 6th and 7th (last) element, and same as jonmanjiro I haven't worked out how to get at it. it's a pity as the lens is sharp in the centre of the field, even at f2, but flares terribly. Sample pic at f2 in non-flarey light at ISO800 on A7S:
newst
Well-known
You have two issues cleaning that lens. 1. The glass is soft. 2. The coating is weak. I would leave it to an experienced repair technician to clean, someone who knows when to stop. (I just had this done on a hazed Summitar and Summaron.). If it is not worth it to you to pay for cleaning then return it.
A good price these days in the US for a Summaron actually in the described condition is in the $350+ range.
A good price these days in the US for a Summaron actually in the described condition is in the $350+ range.
Liquid Fusion
Established
Hi. Just got the lens back from the Post Office - it will not open when I try to unscrew the front. Applied slight pressure gently. Front very tight. From what I read here, and in emails from lens repair experts, there might exist separation between lens elements #1/#2. The marks seem to be inside the front lens elements. Disappointed I can't open this lens!! Right now, it's in the same condition I received it in.
Working it out: Cleaning will cost 125.00 + S/H.
217.50 + ( 8.00 + 9.42 + 15.00 = my S/H costs Ebay ) + 125.00 (cleaning - if possible)+ 15.00 (S/H repair) = 389.00. Will cost more if separation has occurred.
.:. Sending this lens back for refund. Thanks everyone!!!
Working it out: Cleaning will cost 125.00 + S/H.
217.50 + ( 8.00 + 9.42 + 15.00 = my S/H costs Ebay ) + 125.00 (cleaning - if possible)+ 15.00 (S/H repair) = 389.00. Will cost more if separation has occurred.
.:. Sending this lens back for refund. Thanks everyone!!!
David Hughes
David Hughes
Hi,
I'll wish you luck with your next one, because they are very nice lenses. I rate my one very highly, probably in the top 4 or 5 lenses I own...
Regards, David
I'll wish you luck with your next one, because they are very nice lenses. I rate my one very highly, probably in the top 4 or 5 lenses I own...
Regards, David
Bingley
Veteran
+1. Summitars come up for sale fairly regularly. You should be able to find a clean one for a decent price. It's a nice lens and worth looking for.
Liquid Fusion
Established
One last question - the front part of the Summitar lens didn't come off. Very tight. Everyone here says it came off for them. Is this normal?
Liquid Fusion
Established
Just asking - What comes off? The double serrated grip area? Wouldn't budge. Super tight.
Liquid Fusion
Established
Someone ought to post a video of unscrewing the front element. From my experience in pro audio gear, nothing should ever be forced. Not too weak here. Just don't want to break the lens. It's a great little lens in excellent shape except for the marks - which to me seem like they're between the 1/2 elements.
217.50 + 125.00 cleaning = 342.5. Add in S/H so far = 8.00 + 9.42 + 30.00 (to / from lens leaning) = 389.92 Total
This might be the way to go - pro lens cleaning - to insure the lens is a good one. What do you think? People here are saying under 400.00 you can get a good lens. Don't know what to think. If the marks are indicative of a serious problem then that's $$$ out the window.
217.50 + 125.00 cleaning = 342.5. Add in S/H so far = 8.00 + 9.42 + 30.00 (to / from lens leaning) = 389.92 Total
This might be the way to go - pro lens cleaning - to insure the lens is a good one. What do you think? People here are saying under 400.00 you can get a good lens. Don't know what to think. If the marks are indicative of a serious problem then that's $$$ out the window.
Place a rubber band around the front rim of the lens so you can get a better grip, then rotate the lens to the position where its ready to be collapsed. Then grab the base of the lens with one hand and grip the rubber band with the other hand and twist ant-clockwise. I just tried it with my Summitar and only needed about the force required to remove a tight filter.
> which to me seem like they're between the 1/2 elements
The magnification and curvature of the elements make it look like that, but its unlikely IMO. My guess is that the gunk in your lens is either on the front of the third element or on the surface in front of the aperture blades.
Photos linked from Justin Low's website.
> which to me seem like they're between the 1/2 elements
The magnification and curvature of the elements make it look like that, but its unlikely IMO. My guess is that the gunk in your lens is either on the front of the third element or on the surface in front of the aperture blades.
Photos linked from Justin Low's website.