1939 50MM SUMMITAR

[anthonym3]

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My SUMMITAR has a slight pinkish hue under overcast sunless sky. I did not believe that LEITZ coated lenses of that era. I have an IKOFLEX 2 with bloomed lenses, could it be so also with the SUMMITAR?

[wda]

It is possible that retrospective coating could have been carried out later in its life. Not necessarily by Leica.

[anthonym3]

wda, thank you. Do you know of coatings of this color?

[wda]

9 hours ago, anthonym3 said:

wda, thank you. Do you know of coatings of this color?

It is difficult to recall the situation after WWII, but I remember the service offered to existing  owners. At first only exposed surfaces of in-use lenses were retro-coated by original makers or independents, usually of front and rear surfaces. I recall there was a pale blue colour visible, but as coating materials evolved, and coating of all surfaces were introduced , different colours were perceived.  Unrelated makers developed their own formulae. There was no standard. Over time, coating colours fade or are worn as a result of cleaning, changing their appearance. I hope this helps.

[jaapv]

For instance "de Oude Delft" was a company that offered lens coating. 

[250swb]

I have an uncoated 1939 Summitar and a 1946 coated Summitar. If I look at the uncoated lens under a daylight balanced light source I see a pinkish overall cast, followed by three reflections, a greenish gold and then two yellow reflections as light goes through the lens elements. On my coated lens I see an overall purple cast, followed by reflections of faded green, faded blue, then faded red as the light travels through the lens. What you may expect from coating a lens?