RPKretzschmar Posted July 9, 2014 Share #1 Â Posted July 9, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi suddenly my 50mm summicron (latest version) fell apart in two pieces. I haven't found any reference to this online and I'm a bit "shocked" since I have really treated my lens and camera carefully. Guess I need to send it to Solms, but has any one experienced something similar? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 9, 2014 Posted July 9, 2014 Hi RPKretzschmar, Take a look here 50mm summicron fell apart. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
rodluvan Posted July 9, 2014 Share #2 Â Posted July 9, 2014 Hi suddenly my 50mm summicron (latest version) fell apart in two pieces. I haven't found any reference to this online and I'm a bit "shocked" since I have really treated my lens and camera carefully. Guess I need to send it to Solms, but has any one experienced something similar? Â would it be conceivable that you posted a photo of this, frankly amazing, occurrence. this being a photography forum and all? I can't even imagine how that would look. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted July 9, 2014 Share #3 Â Posted July 9, 2014 How far above the cement floor did you drop it from? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted July 9, 2014 Share #4 Â Posted July 9, 2014 Welcome to the forum RPK. That sounds extreme. Can you share the circumstances of the event? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xalo Posted July 9, 2014 Share #5 Â Posted July 9, 2014 Hello, welcome and sorry for you. The incident sounds a bit like one that happened to a forum member's 35mm Summicron IV (pre-asph), renamed for the occasion "king of plastic" or similar. Some interior tube made of plastic broke apart in a shock, if I remember well, effectively splitting the lens in half... it was repairable. The thread would be 2-3 years old, I'd say. I have no idea though if the two lenses are even of remotely similar construction. Â Alexander Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick_S Posted July 18, 2014 Share #6  Posted July 18, 2014 The incident sounds a bit like one that happened to a forum member's 35mm Summicron IV (pre-asph), renamed for the occasion "king of plastic" or similar. Some interior tube made of plastic broke apart in a shock, if I remember well, effectively splitting the lens in half... it was repairable. I found it here: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-collectors-historica/211673-summicron-35-mm-pieces.html  That is rather worrying, given how we perceive the build of Leica lenses. Are any current ones put together this way?  Nick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcraf Posted July 18, 2014 Share #7  Posted July 18, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Guess I need to send it to Solms  Don't send it there - they've all left. Leica Service is now at the new Leitz Park in Wetzlar with the rest of the operation.  Like others, I'm intrigued to know more............ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard Posted July 18, 2014 Share #8  Posted July 18, 2014 Well, most lenses consist of two groups, the helicoil and the optical system. The latter is usually attached to the former by means of a screw connection, which of course should not come loose, but sometimes does loosen, e.g. due to high frequency vibrations exerted to the lens (for example in the overhead lockers of an airplane, on a motorcycle etc.). The fix is easy, but you need a special tool to correctly tighten the optical system in the helicoil.  Best  Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted July 18, 2014 Share #9 Â Posted July 18, 2014 In the 50s-60s the threaded components of Leitz lenses were fixed in place with little transverse set screws. By the end of the 70s Leica had begun to use adhesive for that purpose as it did away with the cost of drilling and tapping the set screws. After time the adhesive can develop microfractures, and then a shock or force can break the bond. This is common with the version IV 35 Cron because many people hold it by the front hood to mount and dismount it rather than the very thin milled ring near the flange. I had one of those come apart, cost me $100 to have it repaired. I also had a "tabbed" 50 Summicron come undone in a similar manner. This time I applied a single drop of Loctite (Blue, not Red!!!!) and screwed it back together. Has been fine ever since. The threads stop exactly at the right spot, there is no chance to upset the focus as long as you don't stop short. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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