Is this summliux 50 e46 worth to keep it?

[junichi94]

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I bought a summliux 50 e46 online. It has an original box and is in good condition.

But when I see through the lens under light, I found it was a little bad.

Should I just keep it or send back to the seller?

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[LeicaR10]

Junichi94,  I agree with Artin's post above.  I would send it back.  It looks as though the lens has haze and possible fungus.  IMO, it is a definite return.  r/ Mark

[MrFriendly]

@junichi94 It depends.  How much did you pay for it?

[junichi94]

@MrFriendly2800 dollar

[LeicaR10]

Junichi94,   I sent you a PM, you can read my comments there.  r/ Mark

[Herr Barnack]

52 minutes ago, junichi94 said:

@MrFriendly2800 dollar

Return it and get your money back.  No question. 

Dust inside a lens is pretty much a non-issue.  That's not dust, though.  It's haze and likely fungus that will kill your contrast and your image quality.

[Capuccino-Muffin]

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Looks like the start of nasty fungus

[Erato]

32 minutes ago, Herr Barnack said:

Return it and get your money back.  No question. 

Dust inside a lens is pretty much a non-issue.  That's not dust, though.  It's haze and likely fungus that will kill your contrast and your image quality.

+1 same PoV.

[Ecar]

It can probably be cleaned (that fungus doesn't seem to have grown too much), but at a cost.

At that price, you should be able to find a clean copy.

I'd also return it.

[MrFriendly]

Just curious, how much would Leica charge to clean a lens that has fungus like that?  Would Leica US be able to do it, or would it need to be sent to Germany?

[junichi94]

Thx for your guys warm reply.

I have decided to return it and would try to find a better one.

Thx again.

[Torpille]

You should send it back….
Quite a bad investment

[Gobert]

If it is fungus, better keep it away from other lenses

[Herr Barnack]

9 hours ago, MrFriendly said:

Just curious, how much would Leica charge to clean a lens that has fungus like that?  Would Leica US be able to do it, or would it need to be sent to Germany?

It would require the complete overhaul of the lens and cleaning of the lens elements.  If the haze is caused by the cement that holds the lens elements together in the groups, that would require the separating, cleaning and re-cementing of the elements in the lens groups.  Leica US might be able to d it, or perhaps Don Goldberg, Sherry Krauter or Youxin Ye. 

If Leica US or Leica Wetzlar has to do it, I would expect a worst case cost of $1000 USD or higher - perhaps a little less for U.S. based independent repair technicians. 

When you pay $2800 USD for even an older used lens, you should not have to spend another $1000 or more to have it made right.

Edited September 23, 2021 by Herr Barnack

[fotografr]

11 hours ago, MrFriendly said:

Just curious, how much would Leica charge to clean a lens that has fungus like that?  Would Leica US be able to do it, or would it need to be sent to Germany?

Of you're determined to keep it, I would send it to Don Goldberg (DAG Camera Parts). My guess based on past experience is that it would cost around $300 for a clean & lube. Don is one of the best in the world.

A couple of years ago I bought a mint version of that lens from someone on the Fred Miranda forum for $2500. 

[Alberti]

I just saw a Canon LTM lens offered 'EXCELLENT+++'

"Appearance TOTALLY VERY BEAUTIFUL!! Appearance is beautiful, tiny scuffs from normal use."

and the pictures showed the lens comes without any back group:

Are these  becoming normal practices?

🤮

[Theory033]

1 hour ago, fotografr said:

Of you're determined to keep it, I would send it to Don Goldberg (DAG Camera Parts). My guess based on past experience is that it would cost around $300 for a clean & lube. Don is one of the best in the world.

A couple of years ago I bought a mint version of that lens from someone on the Fred Miranda forum for $2500. 

 

12 hours ago, MrFriendly said:

Just curious, how much would Leica charge to clean a lens that has fungus like that?  Would Leica US be able to do it, or would it need to be sent to Germany?

I purchased a very nice, newish-looking, copy of this lens last year on an auction site for just around US$2,000 and wanted to have it 6-bit coded, so I sent it to Leica to have that done. They did a full CLA, optimized the focus, and installed the 6-bit mount all for about US$575. I sent it to Leica USA, but they forwarded the lens to Germany for the service.

There was haze on the lens when sent off, but no fungus and not as noticeable as in the photo of your lens. When it arrived back the lens was obviously more transparent. Now it is my favorite Leica lens, and has the ability to capture light in a way unlike any of my other lenses. I highly recommend this lens, but it is not worth what you paid in that condition. I would never keep a lens that arrived with fungus.

[junichi94]

@Al Brown

You are right. 
I bought it via yahoo auction in Japan and the seller said it is in excellent condition. 
 

[fotografr]

1 hour ago, junichi94 said:

@Al Brown

You are right. 
I bought it via yahoo auction in Japan and the seller said it is in excellent condition. 
 

In that case I would either send it back or demand a refund of the amount it will cost to be cleaned and adjusted.

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Hallo,

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[jaapv]

14 hours ago, Gobert said:

If it is fungus, better keep it away from other lenses

Actually, that is a myth. Fungus spores are everywhere. If the conditions are right, it will grow regardless whether another lens it its neighbourhood has fungus or not.