35mm f2.8 Summaron with eyes problem

[gvaliquette]

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Hello all.

 

I just received a 35mm f2.8 Summaron with eyes for my M3 from a seller on the (in)famous web auction site. The lens itself appears to be in excellent shape - I'll be shooting test shots later this afternoon. However, when I mount the lens on my M3, the rangefinder patch is off vertically, but is on target horizontally for distant objects with the lens locked on infinity. The rangefinder is obviously perfectly aligned for lenses without eyes.

 

Is this easily fixed? How much should it cost? Can I do it myself?

 

I'll be very gratefull for any advice.

 

Guy

[tobey bilek]

There is a prism in the shutter release side of the eyes and it is rotated within the round housing causing the vertical to go off.

 

It can be fixed. but is difficult I understand. I vaguely recall reading DAG will not adjust them.

 

Live with it or return it and stay off the auction site where people unload their dogs or they just don`t know what they are selling.

 

If the price was right, I would live with it after I checked out the lens. Mine was soft at 2.8 better at 4, perfect by 5.6. Leica Historical Society tested them 5 years ago and found them to be better than the 8 element Summicron, it`s contemporary. Camera 35 tested them when new and found 5.6 8 11 were outstanding, 80 lpm. Camera 35 magazine is long gone, 30 years now. Check yours for sharpness and fog check with a keychain or pen light. The inside needs to be perfectly clear or you need it cleaned out. If it is fogged, return it unless it was disclosed slight fog but ok. I assure you , slight fog is not OK..

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[gvaliquette]

Thank you, Tobey.

 

The lens itself is in pristine condition and the price could not have been better. This is definitely not a dog. There are real finds on e-xxy if you wait for the right item and know what you are buying.

 

I just got the test shots back and I like them a lot. So this lens is a keeper and I'll try to get it fixed or fix it myself. Has anybody on the forum done it themself? If so, any advice? Thanks in advance.

 

Guy

[doubice]

Guy,

 

There are two adjustment screws on the round occular of the goggles. Looking from the front of the lens, one screw is at 9:00 o'clock, the other one is at 6:00 o'clock. Both screws are hidden under a black putty-like material and should not be hard to find. Scrape out the material with a narrow-bladed screwdriver, until you can see the adjustment screw. To replace the 'putty', I used a black crayon, cut up into small pieces and pressed back into the adjustment opening.

 

I performed this adjustment on the goggles of a 2.8/135mm Elmarit. If memory serves me right, the screw at 9:00 o'clock does the infinity (horizontal) and the bottom one does the vertical.

 

One word of caution - use very gentle force on the screwdriver; apparently, if too much force is used, the prism can crack......

 

Good luck!

 

Best,

 

Jan

[gvaliquette]

Thanks, Jan:

 

I see the screws, or rather their putty covering. They are near the base of the rangefinder "eye". Too late tonight for me, but I'll give it a shot tomorrow and report back.

 

Guy

[doubice]

Thanks, Jan:

 

I see the screws, or rather their putty covering. They are near the base of the rangefinder "eye". Too late tonight for me, but I'll give it a shot tomorrow and report back.

 

Guy

 

Good luck!

 

Jan

[tobey bilek]

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The lens is in need of repair but not a dog. Don`t understand.

 

Pleasse keep buying on the bay so we can discuss them here.

[doubice]

Thank you, Tobey.

 

The lens itself is in pristine condition and the price could not have been better. This is definitely not a dog. There are real finds on e-xxy if you wait for the right item and know what you are buying.

 

I just got the test shots back and I like them a lot. So this lens is a keeper and I'll try to get it fixed or fix it myself. Has anybody on the forum done it themself? If so, any advice? Thanks in advance.

 

Guy

 

Makes sense, valid statement and questions.

 

But.....

 

The lens is in need of repair but not a dog. Don`t understand.

 

Pleasse keep buying on the bay so we can discuss them here.

 

Huh?.....

[gvaliquette]

Guy,

 

There are two adjustment screws on the round occular of the goggles. Looking from the front of the lens, one screw is at 9:00 o'clock, the other one is at 6:00 o'clock. Both screws are hidden under a black putty-like material and should not be hard to find. Scrape out the material with a narrow-bladed screwdriver, until you can see the adjustment screw. To replace the 'putty', I used a black crayon, cut up into small pieces and pressed back into the adjustment opening.

 

I performed this adjustment on the goggles of a 2.8/135mm Elmarit. If memory serves me right, the screw at 9:00 o'clock does the infinity (horizontal) and the bottom one does the vertical.

 

One word of caution - use very gentle force on the screwdriver; apparently, if too much force is used, the prism can crack......

 

Good luck!

 

Best,

 

Jan

 

Jan:

 

I tried your suggested intervention the other day, but the rangefinder patch did not budge. I did not want to force things, given your admonition that one might crack the prism!

 

I have not tried loosening both screws and rotating the whole collar. Should I have?

 

If you do not have any other suggestions, I guess I'll have to bring the lens to Sherry Krauter for help. I really like the rendering of the lens, plus having a 35mm for my M3.

 

Tobey:

 

I also do not understand your post. One can find good deals on that auction site, but you have to know what you are buying, what it is worth and when to stop bidding! My suggestions to new comers is to watch items you are interested in until you are comfortable with their value. You might need a few months before feeling comfortable. Bidding wars are totally irrational and serve only the seller! I got some of my equipment new from B&H, some used from KEH.com, and some on auction. The stuff I get from e-bxx is generally lower cost items I want to "play" with. What is it exactly that you expect to learn from my experiences?

 

Guy