alandash Posted August 21, 2013 Share #1 Posted August 21, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Has anyone ever heard of someone purposely darkening the white-on-black informational lettering on a Leica lens? That is, the area on the inside front of the barrel, just before the front lens, that describes the name, focal length, f stop, etc.? Many years ago, I bought a used M3-type "goggles" 35mm Summicron lens (chrome, made in Wetzlar), while in Germany. Testing showed that it was superb, except for obvious cleaning marks on both the front and rear lenses, but internally looked perfect, with no haze, dust, or mold. Photos made were perfect. Is there some way that the front darkening stain can be restored to white-on-black? I can still make out the engraved lettering in good light. Perhaps the previous owner felt that the darkening reduced reflections into the lens. Maybe a lens CLA person can do it, in addition to recoating the external surfaces. Alan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 21, 2013 Posted August 21, 2013 Hi alandash, Take a look here Darkening of front lens lettering. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
spydrxx Posted August 21, 2013 Share #2 Posted August 21, 2013 There are a number of solutions...start by lightly attempting to clean it off with something like propanol or methyl alcohol. Stronger solvents can do more damage than good, so in your case I don't recommend them. Many hardware stores sell pens of colored enamel paint, used for marking metals. Essentially you apply the paint into the grooves let it dry and then with a smooth wooden paddle, lightly rub (burnish) the surface to remove overages. Then buff with a clean cloth. I've used this method for years when restoring old camera lenses which have lost the paint in the lettering, or it has been discolored. Just go slowly and don't over do it. The pen I've been most recently using is called "super met-al" which I picked up at Ace Hdwe. The Micro Tools site also has similar pens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted August 24, 2013 Share #3 Posted August 24, 2013 Has anyone ever heard of someone purposely darkening the white-on-black informational lettering on a Leica lens? That is, the area on the inside front of the barrel, just before the front lens, that describes the name, focal length, f stop, etc.? ... Yes, I recall someone on the forum having done it to prevent the white lettering from reflecting off the back of a filter under certain circumstances and causing flare. Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted August 25, 2013 Share #4 Posted August 25, 2013 I recall that as well, the idea goes back a long way when coatings were not so good. Alternatively I think it possible that over enthusiastic use of lens cleaning fluid simply took the infill paint off at some time in the past. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted August 25, 2013 Share #5 Posted August 25, 2013 There are a number of solutions....... The pen I've been most recently using is called "super met-al" which I picked up at Ace Hdwe. The Micro Tools site also has similar pens. Thank you for this advice. When I searched UK suppiers, I found one called Tizaro which lists the product Marker, White SUPER MET-AL MARKER 1296-1295 but stated that it was not available for purchase on-line. Has anyone in the UK found an alternative supplier? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted August 25, 2013 Share #6 Posted August 25, 2013 If it has been darkened with a marker pen it could be removed with alcool 90° and a q-tip; whithout removing the original paint, if it is always there... You should have a trail on it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted August 25, 2013 Share #7 Posted August 25, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thank you for this advice. When I searched UK suppiers, I found one called Tizaro which lists the product Marker, White SUPER MET-AL MARKER 1296-1295 but stated that it was not available for purchase on-line. Has anyone in the UK found an alternative supplier? No that is NOT what you need, that is a high temperature hard drying paint stick, not what you want for filling engravings. It is this Lacquer-Stik® | Markal in white of course. It is a soft waxy paint that you rub over the engraved lettering which fills the engraving with white paint. You wipe the excess off with a soft cloth or Q-tip and after a few weeks it gradually dries, but it is ok to use immediately. As for a supplier I got a white 'stik' from Ebay via a gun supply retailer, and there is a photographic retailer in Europe that does many small parts and I have seen them on sale on their web site, but the catch is I can't remember their name, sorry. There do seem to be some craft suppliers in the UK that sell Markal paint sticks, but they appear to be harder surface markers rather than the soft infill markers, but the manufacturer does have links on their web site to UK outlets for the infill type. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torquinian Posted November 15, 2013 Share #8 Posted November 15, 2013 Has anyone ever heard of someone purposely darkening the white-on-black informational lettering on a Leica lens? That is, the area on the inside front of the barrel, just before the front lens, that describes the name, focal length, f stop, etc.? Yes I have a 100mm Macro-Elmar lens head for use with bellows and the lettering round the lens is black on black . It looks original to me. The aperture scale is white on black as usual. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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