Landiah Posted October 8, 2022 Share #1 Posted October 8, 2022 Advertisement (gone after registration) Noticed a small amount of oil on my 50mm APO cron. Has anyone experienced this issue on this particular lens before? Thinking about sending it in for repair somewhere as I'm looking to sell it and wondering how much impact on cost it would have. Looking to hear about any similar experiences. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/339637-apo-cron-with-oil-on-aperture-blades/?do=findComment&comment=4527693'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 8, 2022 Posted October 8, 2022 Hi Landiah, Take a look here APO cron with oil on aperture blades. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
TomB_tx Posted October 8, 2022 Share #2 Posted October 8, 2022 That may not be oil - some aperture blades are coated with a dry-film lubricant that may polish where the blades rub together. In any case I wouldn't worry about it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landiah Posted October 8, 2022 Author Share #3 Posted October 8, 2022 4 minutes ago, TomB_tx said: That may not be oil - some aperture blades are coated with a dry-film lubricant that may polish where the blades rub together. In any case I wouldn't worry about it. Interesting, didn't know about this. Assuming there wouldn't be any way to tell aside from taking the lens apart. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spydrxx Posted October 8, 2022 Share #4 Posted October 8, 2022 Sell as is, describe and make sure photos show the issue. The cost of any repair isn't recoverable in the sales price. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted October 8, 2022 Share #5 Posted October 8, 2022 15 minutes ago, spydrxx said: The cost of any repair isn't recoverable in the sales price. Not necessarily. I recently sent a very nice 35 Summaron f/2.8 to a reputable Leica dealer for sale. I thought it was in perfect shape, but they noticed oil on the aperture blades. I authorized them to send it to DAG for service before offering for consignment. He did so and added his 6 month warranty, which was then advertised as part of the online sale. I netted several hundred dollars more than originally anticipated as a result. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huss Posted October 8, 2022 Share #6 Posted October 8, 2022 4 hours ago, Jeff S said: Not necessarily. I recently sent a very nice 35 Summaron f/2.8 to a reputable Leica dealer for sale. I thought it was in perfect shape, but they noticed oil on the aperture blades. I authorized them to send it to DAG for service before offering for consignment. He did so and added his 6 month warranty, which was then advertised as part of the online sale. I netted several hundred dollars more than originally anticipated as a result. Jeff How much was the cost to get the blades cleaned? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huss Posted October 8, 2022 Share #7 Posted October 8, 2022 Advertisement (gone after registration) 6 hours ago, Landiah said: Interesting, didn't know about this. Assuming there wouldn't be any way to tell aside from taking the lens apart. It's oil. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted October 8, 2022 Share #8 Posted October 8, 2022 1 hour ago, Huss said: How much was the cost to get the blades cleaned? Dealer paid… I’ll have to check the transaction details when I get a chance. DAG also inspects everything else before he gives his warranty. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted October 8, 2022 Share #9 Posted October 8, 2022 (edited) 4 minutes ago, Al Brown said: Wow this would never happen in Europe. Dealer subtracted the cost from my proceeds. They paid Don directly. That’s why I’ll need to check the details on the servicing cost. I only cared about my net profit, after fees and repair costs. Jeff Edited October 8, 2022 by Jeff S Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted October 8, 2022 Share #10 Posted October 8, 2022 3 hours ago, Huss said: How much was the cost to get the blades cleaned? I just checked… the dealer paid DAG $75 for the service. Seems typical for Don, since years ago he charged me $90, including shipping, to put new grease in my 50 Summilux ASPH, making the focus smooth, which Leica NJ could not accomplish. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siriusone59 Posted October 8, 2022 Share #11 Posted October 8, 2022 It it doesn't look any worse from the rear that small amount of oil or whatever wouldn't have much affect if I was looking to purchase the lens. I've seen much worse before and would consider yours about normal. Would rather it wasn't there but it's not a deal breaker. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huss Posted October 9, 2022 Share #12 Posted October 9, 2022 3 hours ago, Jeff S said: ..to put new grease in my 50 Summilux ASPH, making the focus smooth, which Leica NJ could not accomplish. Jeff Could not accomplish or would not do? I'm wondering if that is corporate policy to reduce warranty claims i.e. 'nothing wrong with your lens Sir"... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted October 9, 2022 Share #13 Posted October 9, 2022 5 minutes ago, Huss said: Could not accomplish or would not do? I'm wondering if that is corporate policy to reduce warranty claims i.e. 'nothing wrong with your lens Sir"... I posted on this in 2013, and have commented since. They tried, but failed. I was permitted to speak by phone with the technician who was working on my lens, and he explained his attempts to alleviate the sticky focus action, including new grease. He was afraid to do anything further that might do more harm than good, and said it was as good as can be. I asked him to return the lens and then sent it to Don, who used his remaining supply of the old Leitz grease. It’s still focusing smoothly 9 years later. Jeff 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tightsqueez Posted October 10, 2022 Share #14 Posted October 10, 2022 I’ve had a 50 APO for almost 10 years and mine has more oil on the blades than yours. Coincidently the oil only showed up after Leica Germany serviced the lens a few years back to tighten the aperture ring. And guess what? It performs just the same as it did 10 years ago. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeicaR10 Posted October 10, 2022 Share #15 Posted October 10, 2022 (edited) Landiah, Based on my experience with the 50 Apo, it looks like oil to me. If your lens is under warranty, I would sent it to Leica for a clean, lubricate and adjust (CLA). If not under warranty, I would still send it to Leica Wetzlar for a CLA. It costs a little over $300 USD. With the current exchange rate, it is nearly the same in Euros. The 50 Apo is a precision lens to assemble, I would only let Leica do the CLA. The M 50 Apo is currently selling for $9K new. It is worth the repair. Its a great lens and most who sell it regret it and wind up buying it again. Be sure to write for the repair note the oil on the aperture blades and you wish for the blades to be cleaned or replaced. r/ Mark Edited October 10, 2022 by LeicaR10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landiah Posted October 10, 2022 Author Share #16 Posted October 10, 2022 11 minutes ago, LeicaR10 said: Landiah, Based on my experience with the 50 Apo, it looks like oil to me. If your lens is under warranty, I would sent it to Leica for a clean, lubricate and adjust (CLA). If not under warranty, I would still send it to Leica Wetzlar for a CLA. It costs a little over $300 USD. With the current exchange rate, it is nearly the same in Euros. The 50 Apo is a precision lens to assemble, I would only let Leica do the CLA. The M 50 Apo is currently selling for $9K new. It is worth the repair. Its a great lens and most who sell it regret it and wind up buying it again. Be sure to write for the repair note the oil on the aperture blades and you wish for the blades to be cleaned or replaced. r/ Mark Thanks Mark, I will look into doing that. I only shoot film now and sold my digital M bodies and feel the lens is wasted there.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted October 12, 2022 Share #17 Posted October 12, 2022 Leica Miami routinely sends expensive Leica lenses to DAG (Don Goldberg) or to Germany for service, depending on specific circumstances, warranty, etc. I trust their judgment in these matters, and I’m sure that they would offer sound advice, whether or not the lens was purchased through them. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpto Posted October 12, 2022 Share #18 Posted October 12, 2022 On 10/8/2022 at 8:18 AM, Landiah said: Noticed a small amount of oil on my 50mm APO cron. Has anyone experienced this issue on this particular lens before? Thinking about sending it in for repair somewhere as I'm looking to sell it and wondering how much impact on cost it would have. Looking to hear about any similar experiences. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! I would vote for sending it in for a CLA/service. No firsthand experience but I've heard that oil on the blades means that lubrication/grease has broken down and the oil residue will eventually end up hazing the glass. Did you leave your lens in a hot car? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tightsqueez Posted October 12, 2022 Share #19 Posted October 12, 2022 9 hours ago, jpto said: I would vote for sending it in for a CLA/service. No firsthand experience but I've heard that oil on the blades means that lubrication/grease has broken down and the oil residue will eventually end up hazing the glass. Did you leave your lens in a hot car? Yeah, on his daily commute to the sun. I heard it on the Internets!! 😂 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stein K S Posted October 13, 2022 Share #20 Posted October 13, 2022 (edited) On 10/12/2022 at 3:19 PM, tightsqueez said: Yeah, on his daily commute to the sun. I heard it on the Internets!! 😂 Any hidden message I do not grasp…? Edited October 13, 2022 by Stein K S Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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