f2.8 Summaron focus stiffness UK

[Don'tknowmuch]

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Afternoon all - well it is here.

Please forgive me if this is a common question here, but I've had a look through previous posts to see if the answer's already observable but I failed to see anything. Probably my ineptitude at searching...

Anyway; my Summaron 2.8 is now very very stiff to focus. Not unusual I know, but I'd welcome a pointer about where to send it for a tune-up. Contact a dealer, I hear you say, but I did have a previous Summaron 2.8 serviced when I bought it a few year's ago and after it came back it was indeed clean and smooth in use, but after a few days the iris leaves started not operating properly - not engaging I suppose and creating an inaccurate and eccentric iris. I won't mention any dealer names here because the dealer I bought the lens from was actually very good and gave the option of sending it back for another go or of giving me my money back. I chose to have my money back as I'd lost a bit of confidence in the lens and whichever the third party service agent was that that dealer used. And now I'm reluctant to send this lens to the same place.

Would anyone be confident in suggesting a UK lensmeister?

Thanks all,

Jim.

[spydrxx]

I'd suggest going to the custormer forum....there's a sticky listing repair specialists.

[microview]

Malcolm Taylor has done some excellent work for me, although some complain that he takes too long (have a friendly phone conversation with him first!). Aperture (London) eased the focusing on a 28mm lens recently; but it cost £100. Was done while I waited.

[easy_action]

I sent an f2.8 Summaron to Peter at CRR Luton with stiff focussing and he did a wonderful job.

 

It came back after a couple of weeks with silky smooth focus, and I couldn't tell that anyone had been inside the lens.

 

I've read that some people find he's difficult to get hold of, but I just called the number on his website and got straight through.

 

I've used his services on several other occasions and he has always been a pleasure to deal with.

[pippy]

Seconding what microview said earlier Aperture did a great fantastic job on a '54 Summaron of mine.

 

Not all that cheap, admittedly, but if they can do it either while you wait or else pop out for lunch/photo op then it might be a good excuse to come in to town for a day.

 

Pip.

[pico]

As I understand cleaning the focus helix is a simple DIY. Remove the retaining ring at the rear of the lens to separate the optical cluster from the focus assembly. Then flush the focus assembly with lighter fluid, exercising it at the same time. That will remove enough of the solidified, gummy old lube to free it up. Shake or blow out the fluid. Let it sit overnight to evaporate any remaining fluid and reassemble. Easy.

[Don'tknowmuch]

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Thanks all. Much to digest, not least the fact that I could go in myself... Probably won't!

Anyway, just wanted to thank you for taking the time. And to apologise for an apostrophe that crept in somehow in my initial post...

Jim.

[Ernstk]

Thanks all. Much to digest, not least the fact that I could go in myself... Probably won't!

Anyway, just wanted to thank you for taking the time. And to apologise for an apostrophe that crept in somehow in my initial post...

Jim.

Damn. I missed that apostrophe in 'year's'. Normally I'm straight onto things like that...

 

Ernst

[IWC Doppel]

My version is silky sooth and was serviced by Malcolm Taylor, he's great but can be very slow on occasion....

 

A superb lens, especially on the Monochrom