Wet aperture blades in Summicron

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boffen

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So I just picked up a Summicron at the post office and have gotten home and checked it out. It's in really good condition with no fungus or haze whatsoever, except from some oil or something like that on the aperture blades.

So, what should I do? Is this just a disaster waiting to happen or will it work just fine? Should I email the seller and ask to return it and get my money back?
 

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I have a Summicron from '69 which at first glance looks like it has wet blades. They are in fact totally dry but part of the blades have been worn shiny. Check yours carefully.
If they are wet then get it sorted asap. I've had elmar 50's with etched inner glass due to oil vapour. I've never seen an affected Summicron though.
 
If the glass is nice and you got for a good price I'd keep it and send for a service. I have one of my 50 summicrons being done at the moment. The way prices have and are going it's worth doing. What series is yours?
 
V3. Other than the aperture blades, the lens is in excellent condition, and I really don't want to return it. I'm going to propose that the seller cover at least part of a CLA bill, or take it back.
 
its looks like the metal aperture blades are a bit worn, I don't think that its wet. its hard to tell, the picture is pretty dark and tiny.

FWIW, my 35mm cron v.3 looks similar. I wouldn't worry.
 
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A lens CLA is around $50 from DAG and $35 from Ye (though it's been awhile since I had one done). So considering the price of Summicrons I'd just send it in and get a CLA. Ye will have it back to you in a week.
 
I sent some better pictures to Youxin Ye, and he agreed that it looked like the blades were wet (they are dark spots on the blades, and shine just like oil would), and he'll fix it for a reasonable amount, and the seller agreed to cover part of the cost.
 
After looking at your pic on my laptop (didn't see the pic on my phone) it definately looks like wear. This is my copy and it's completely dry. I seem to remember another copy I had was showing similar wear to the blades.

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That does look very similar to mine. Just to make sure I uploaded a video to vimeo and I'll post it here once it's done converting, but it looks like it might just be wear. I'll send the video to Youxin as well.
 
It does look very similar to mine. To be honest, if the lens isn't hazy then I would leave it and just use it. If the blades are indeed a little misty then it's not going to affect anything as long as the oil doesn't mist onto the glass. I think the later lenses are better than the earlier ones by having harder coatings and any residue can be cleaned easily.
If your lens is clear then don't worry too much. You can shine a bright light through it but don't scare yourself too much as you will probably see lots of stuff in there! When you are not using the lens I've heard that storing at max aperture reduces oil migration on the blades.
 
"as long as the oil doesn't mist" is a gamble.
It's not mine but if the seller is willing to bear part of the cost, which is really pretty minor do it the fifty dollar cost becomes twenty-five and YOU have peace of mind.
 
Landshark said:
"as long as the oil doesn't mist" is a gamble.
It's not mine but if the seller is willing to bear part of the cost, which is really pretty minor do it the fifty dollar cost becomes twenty-five and YOU have peace of mind.
Click to expand...

please don't half quote as it makes more sense when you read the complete post!
Gamble against what exactly?
Have you personal experience of a Summicron ruined or otherwise because of oil on aperture blades?
Your's is exactly the kind of scaremongering post that creates a cla culture here.
 
Just to be clear, I am usually not worried about keeping my gear looking like it was bought yesterday. As long as it functions properly, I don't really care. However, I've read that the blades might stick and lock the aperture, and I'm not the kind of person that can at any given time spend money on fixing my camera gear. I'd rather keep it and shoot with it than send it to Youxin if there's nothing wrong with it, but I'd also rather send it of for a couple of weeks now when I can afford it, than sometime later because it doesn't work.

As I mentioned I sent the video to Youxin and I'm very sure he'll be honest as always and tell me whether or not this is actually something I should send it in for.
 
My v3 looked exactly like yours when I bought it 8 years ago. No way to tell how long it had been like that. Never any problems. I had it overhauled by Sherry Krauter 3 month ago when I imagined that the focusing action gave a little more resistence that normal. The blades were cleaned of couse but I wouldn't have sent it for only that. She work on either lens head or focusing mount or both - I think her price was 75 USD for either of the lens parts or 125 USD for an overhaul of the whole lens.
 
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