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A curious lens problem - Summaron 35 f2,8 - impossible to repair?


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I have bought a Summaron 35 mm (payed 30 euro), with an internal glass element broken near borders

 

The lens however works well full wide too, at f4 is impossible to see the broken glass

 

Do you think it is possible repair the lens changing the element? Is it convenient sending it at Wetzlar ?

 

Many thanks! Mauro Italy Rome

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Are you sure a lens element is actually broken? Very often, beginning lens group separation (which starts at the borders of the elements) looks like there is a crack in an element.

 

If it is separation, a good lens repairman can recement the elements. Malcolm Taylor in the UK is one address for this kind of job I'd think.

 

If in fact an element is broken, I doubt that Leica will have replacement elements available. On the other hand, they still might, as this version of the Summaron was produced for a long time. Just ask them. However, to the best of my knowledge, they do not repair lenses below serial no. 2 000 000 anymore. In any case, repair will not come cheap.

 

Cheers,

 

Andy

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Hello,

 

I have 2 Elmar 2.8/50 Screw mount s/n 13xxxxx, 16xxxxx in Solms for front element changing, the cost of the glass only is 1/4 of the total price.

 

 

If you cannot see any problem let it as it is except if the cosmetic hurt you ( I can understand the feeling )

 

Regards

 

JC

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Are you sure a lens element is actually broken? Very often, beginning lens group separation (which starts at the borders of the elements) looks like there is a crack in an element.

 

Cheers,

 

Andy

 

Here I have posted some pic of the lens

(glass seems really broken, also I hope the contrary...)

 

Leica and Rangefinders Forum: A curious lens problem - Summaron 35 f2,8 - impossible to repair?

 

Thx Grazie >Mauro

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Well it does look like a crack. I would also leave it alone and just enjoy using it, if it produces good results. My father had (I still have) a Retina lllc also with a crack in the lens that never caused any problems. For 30 euros its a bargain. You'd probably be better off just buying a perfect example if that's what you're after, rather than paying for yours to be repaired.

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The Summaron is still a very competent 35 mm lens. At apertures wider than 5.6 it is actually far better than the legendary first Summicron, and it was a better buy for most people. So most people did buy it, and it is quite common. So, if you actually like to use the lens – and it is well worth using, especially on a nice old M2 of course! – you may well want to get a specimen with perfect glass. Try http://www.leicashop.com for instance, they have always given me good stuff and prompt service.

 

The old man from the Age of Anastigmats

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At apertures wider than 5.6 it is actually far better than the legendary first Summicron, ...

 

Lars,

 

you must have had a very bad copy of the first Summicron 35. Even Leitz at the time said that the Summicron is their best 35mm lens, reaching its optimum at f4. Having used both lenses, my own experience is different from yours: The Summaron is good, but the Summicron is better (sharper, more contrast, more vivid colours).

 

Cheers,

 

Andy

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An image taken with "broken glass" summaron (From darkness to...)

 

Now I have found a new summaron f2,8 for m3, but without googles , perfect lens Do you think I can change mount mechanical section from one lens to other?

 

Thx for your kindness

Mauro

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Now I have found a new summaron f2,8 for m3, but without googles , perfect lens Do you think I can change mount mechanical section from one lens to other?

 

Mauro,

 

I noted that your first Summaron (the one with the crack) was also without goggles. If the second one is also an original non-goggled lens, then yes, parts should be interchangeable.

 

Parts are, however, NOT interchangeable between goggled and non-goggled lenses (even if the goggles have been removed, as your comment seems to indicate). The focussing helicoils of goggled and non-goggled lenses are different (to be noted also by the minimum focussing distance, which is 0.65m with the goggled lens and 0.7m with the non-goggled lens). Also, the goggled lens will bring up the 50mm brightline frame, whereas the non-goggled lens will bring up the 35mm brightline frame. Either lens can be used on all Leica M cameras, however (if a non-goggled lens is used on an M3, a separate 35mm finder will be necessary).

 

Cheers,

 

Andy

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The problem is I have broken googles of the summaron with googles: now is not possible using that with any leica m, having the right focusing view?

 

Correct, in order to fully use a goggled lens on any M Leica, the goggles have to be present. Of course, you can use the goggled lens without goggles when the lens is set to infinity (for example when doing landscape photography) and use any suitable 35mm finder, either external or internal.

 

Andy

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