Summilux M 75 problem?

[davidrundell99]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hi,

 

I have the above lens - it is an early Canadian version that is about 30 years old. I have always been very happy with this lens however, there is one small problem which is that the front part of the lens barrel (the part that the filter screws into) has developed a very slight amount of rotational 'play'. The total amount is less than a millimetre, but it's definitely there. I believe that it has become looser over time, although it's hard to be sure.

 

I have done a lot of research on the web to try to determine whether there is something simple that I should tighten (small screw?) but there seems to be no information available about any service aspects of this lens.

 

Does anyone know whether,

 

a) there is something simple I can tighten-up?

is there any service information available on this lens?

c) should I just stop worrying and carry on using it?

 

Thanks for any advice,

 

David.

[IWC Doppel]

Hi, no play on my 75 Summilux, I had a similar thing on a pre ASPH e43 50mm Summilux and tightening the end in the sane way as you tighten a thread resolved this, I just gave it a healthy twist as that lens can unscrew I believe

 

The 75 Summilux is a very similar design to the pre ASPH 50 Summilux in terms of elements and lay out hence the reason for mentioning

[jcraf]

A lovely lens, the 75 Summilux. You may be well aware that the 75 Summilux is now a very valuable , and fairly rare, piece of glass. I sold mine recently for GBP 3000.

 

My advice, given the relatively high value and rarity of this lens (and in general actually), would be to seek an opinion from someone who repairs Leicas. Either your national Leica operation, or someone local. There is a list of repairers here: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-news/leica-repair-specialists/

 

Good luck!

[Gerard]

David; I have some info for you.

 

I have owned my 75 for a while now. I had sent it to Malcolm Taylor in the UK for optimising (as the focus was way out when I received it) and it has performed flawlessly since.

 

However, when I removed the hood recently (something I don't do often), I notice the front ring was loose. So I sent it off to Solms.

 

The bill is in and it comes to £223 inclusive of optical adjustment and repair of focusing mount (which I had no idea was faulty).

 

I love this lens... and it's worth the cost.

[Gerard]

Update; this was the best £223 I've ever spent! Amazing. The updated focus mount (mine had a very early version that was only used for a short time) has made a huge difference. To anyone with an early V1 75mm Summilux-M... send it in for a health check.

 

On a less important note; my aperture spot was always slightly on the wonk; and this is now dead centre too (something I was told was not possible to amend). Happy days.

[gpwhite]

The Summicron M 28mm ASPH has a similar problem with rotational play up front. After Leica NJ failed to tighten mine up during a six-bit conversion visit (apparently the technician did not read my instructions), I found the fix on this forum.

 

From your post, it sounds like you have the earlier version of the Summilux-M 75mm, and you can see the lens barrel without the shade. There should be a little screw up there somewhere that you can gently tighten.

 

If you have the later version with a built-in lens shade, I do not know how you can access the barrel. But this is a very popular lens, so someone from the forum will likely post soon... or, you can research the several, lengthy 75mm threads and try contacting the most prolific 75mm poster.