Advice Please

[imiges]

I have a collapsible m-summicron that needs to be cla'd.
The front element is BADLY scratched, luckily the back is great.
The focusing is stiff,
and it just needs an overhaul/cleaning of the insides. .
They are charging me $385 for the CLA
including the replacement of the front element.
I assume the replacement will be with another collapsible cron lens? Right? Stupid question?
I didn't think they could do that.
I got the lens pretty cheap, $150.
I have taken photo's with it.
Is $385 for all the work a good price?
Is it the replacement of the front element that is causing the price to jump?


I've never had anything cla'd.
so advice would be appreciated.

What can I expect from the lens if I do this?
Optimum performance as if it were brand new?
I know the lens is a bit soft at f2, but I'm o.k. with that.
I have a 1.4/50 asph for sharpness and low light shots.
But it tends to flare or is it glare on the bright/white areas photographed.
Here are some sample photo's.

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...-blockade.html
http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...-ride-2-a.html
http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...thing-new.html
http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...-ll-drive.html
http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...humor-man.html
http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...g-shelter.html

Thanks for any and all the help!
Amado

[rob_x2004]

I'd pm someone like James (earlygallery). He had an old lens refurbed and from the images he posted the little jewel looked like a heartbreaker when it came back. You are slinging it off an MP, four hundred bucks isnt the end of the world.

Amado

this dual range was refused by a number of freelancers and i had it done by Leica in Solms: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...ir-needed.html

Solms didn't have the front element available for my Summicron (lucky you) but cleaned the glass completely. Thus i suppose the performance is as close to the original as it gets.

i cannot say whether or not the collapsible is worth the efforts in comparison to a rigid or dual range. supposing that you were looking intentionally for the characteristic of the collapsible when you bought it, this shouldn't be your issue.

the costs you mentioned appear attractive to me, mine were higher.

[leitz_not_leica]

Google John Van Stelton in the US.

[mhoersch]

I think that's an incredibly low price considering that they have to disassemble the lens completely, put in a new front element (which other manufacturer would even consider such a thing?), remove the old lubrication, clean the whole lens, reassemble, relubricate, recollimate and test the lens! Plus shipping & handling! If you like your lens at all, go for it.

[jc_braconi]

The price is the right and the good one, make your Summicron alive and enjoy it.
I have done this investment for 2 Elmar 2.8/50 coll.

[andybarton]

A straightforward CLA by Leica UK on an M lens costs around £100 ($200)

I think you are getting a bargain at the rate quoted to you.