the return of the summicron...part 2

[back alley]

as you may or may not recall, i bought a small 40/2 summicron awhile back.
it arrived with the tab broken and the small attaching screw inside. the aperture ring did not turn.

i sent it off for an estimate and was told that the correct tab was no longer available but that they could modify/use another. the biggest news was that the barrel was out of round (and needed polishing) and that focussing was stiff.

at the near cost of the lens, the repair was declined.
the lens just returned in today's mail.

ok, now this is the newsy part.

the lens must have had to be taken apart to see what needed to be done.
they removed the tiny screw and now the aperture turns nice & crisply. the lens does focus and is somewhat stiff but it is also very smooth with absolutely no rough patches. i think this lens might be ok with a focussing tab re-attached. it is hard to focus w/o the tab as there is next to nothing to grab on to without the tab.

anyway, i'm not sure what to do about it all now. what this lens really needs is a handy kind of guy to modify and attach a tab of some kind.
no worries, i'm not even gonna try it myself 🙂
do you think it's worth trying to sell as a fixer upper or as a parts lens? i do think it will work ok though and the glass is clear as can be.
it'd be a shame to waste it.

joe

 

[VictorM.]

Sell it as a fixer upper. You'll be honest about the issues and can say 'as-is, no returns, etc.'. Or you can trade it to me for a head of lettuce. 🙂

 

[back alley]

very tempting victor...😉

 

[Nick R.]

How about using a black cable tie for a focusing tab?

 

[vrgard]

How about using a black cable tie for a focusing tab?

That sounds like a brilliant suggestion to me. Another thought, given that there is a screw hole where the internal screw held the missing focusing tab, is to screw in a medium length small screw from the outside with perhaps a nut or two threaded on first to add length and still allow it to tighten down. Would create a sort of focusing tab. And if done in all black would be fairly innocuous looking.

 

[back alley]

great idea nick.
i had some white ones handy but they are too short.
i tried an elastic band and it works too.

i tried a couple of small screws but i have nothing handy that fits.

there is hope.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

How about using a black cable tie for a focusing tab?

Joe,

you might want to search Regit Young's posts either here at RFF or at photo.net. He posted a picture of a cable tie (metal) that he fitted onto a Contax 50/1.5 sonnar (which is a rather small lens itself).

Seems to have worked rather well for him. good luck

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

The other possibility is to contact the resident mad scientist at photo.net, I believe its Huw something or other ...

He is known for some pretty amazing experiments with Leica lenses. Wouldn't be surprised if he could use pig parts to fix up lenses.

 

[back alley]

i just put 2 cable ties together and it works well. one longer one would be better i think.
it's not really that stiff.

joe

 

[back alley]

i just put it in the classifieds.

joe

 

[back alley]

i just put it in the classifieds.

joe

perhaps a poor idea...

 

[VictorM.]

Ok, OK, TWO heads of lettuce!

 

[back alley]

Ok, OK, TWO heads of lettuce!

would a low fat dressing of some sort also be involved?

 

[VictorM.]

Your choice 😛

 

[VictorM.]

If I had the money, I'd buy this for the glass. Mine has some problems with the rear element group.

 

[back alley]

If I had the money, I'd buy this for the glass. Mine has some problems with the rear element group.

how 'bout 100 bucks and shipping is my dime?

joe

 

[terrafirmanada]

go for the lettuce, and make two hearts happy at once.

 

[Trius]

Joe, I'll trade for a generous supply of canned air.

 

[back alley]

Joe, I'll trade for a generous supply of canned air.

oh how cruel...😎

 

[Tarzak]

i just put 2 cable ties together and it works well. one longer one would be better i think.
it's not really that stiff.

joe

Joe,

How wide is the focus ring? Could you fit a stainless steel hose clamp on it? Heavy duty solution for very little cost (if it fits).

If you post a picture of the lens and screw hole(s) I could give more than 2c worth. One would assume that the screws used are metric and most probably a standard size. Designing in the dark - need picture.

Cheers