Help with Lens Condition

[ALScott]

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This is a 35 summicron 11673.  This is my first foray into M lenses and the rear of all of them look weird to me.  Does this appear to be is good condition or not?

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[a.noctilux]

Hello

what bother you ?

A bit dusty, I think when clean(ed), this lens is correct.

We see raw material, normal construction of Leica M lenses.

[ALScott]

1 minute ago, a.noctilux said:

Hello

what bother you ?

A bit dusty, I think when clean(ed), this lens is correct.

We see raw material, normal construction of Leica M lenses.

Thanks!  It's the brass bits that throw me off.  Compared to any lens I have ever owned these look nothing like them.  Just look rough compared to others but I get they are a totally different animal.

[lct]

Looks perfectly normal. Brass is helicoid and a focus cam you can see an example on another Leica lens below.

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[Jeff S]

This is what trustworthy dealers are for. They rate lenses accurately, have them serviced before sale if necessary, and provide warranty and return policy.

Jeff

[hansvons]

I have the same lens. It’s probably the best Leica 35mm in terms of versatility, sharpness and character, and of highest build quality and compactness. It’s pretty sharp at full aperture at the centre for environmental portraits, works a treat for landscapes from f/2.8 1/2 onwards, and flares super nicely when provoked. In my view, the perfect Leica workhorse.

Your copy’s rear side looks as it should look. I wouldn’t worry, but I’d test infinity at f/2 and how it aligns with your camera’s range finder. This lens isn’t front-focusing at full aperture. However, it shows considerable curvature at medium distance, which fades away when stopped down and gone at f/4.

If there is a noticeable misalignment with the range finder, it’s often the camera and not the lens. 

[250swb]

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The reason you are seeing brass is twofold. Brass is to a certain extent self lubricating meaning it can contact the steel cam follower without any further lubrication. Secondly the brass does touch the cam follower and if it was plated or painted this would then rub off causing flakes inside the camera.

Edited September 4, 2024 by 250swb

[ALScott]

9 hours ago, Jeff S said:

This is what trustworthy dealers are for. They rate lenses accurately, have them serviced before sale if necessary, and provide warranty and return policy.

Jeff

This dealer is trustworthy for sure.  It's Leica SF and they gave me what I think is a great deal and it should be here Friday.  They do give a warranty and return policy which is why I ended up buying there rather than other places on the web.  I really like that peace of mind.

[Jeff S]

1 hour ago, ALScott said:

This dealer is trustworthy for sure.  It's Leica SF and they gave me what I think is a great deal and it should be here Friday.  They do give a warranty and return policy which is why I ended up buying there rather than other places on the web.  I really like that peace of mind.

Good dealer.  For used gear, Leica Miami prices might be higher, but that reflects their strict pre-inspection policy, including servicing at Leica or DAG prior to sale if needed.  Used sales therefore sometimes include additional Leica/DAG warranty. Leica SF, including their sister Camera West stores, are not as thorough in my experience for used gear.

Jeff

[ALScott]

2 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

Good dealer.  For used gear, Leica Miami prices might be higher, but that reflects their strict pre-inspection policy, including servicing at Leica or DAG prior to sale if needed.  Used sales therefore sometimes include additional Leica/DAG warranty. Leica SF, including their sister Camera West stores, are not as thorough in my experience for used gear.

Jeff

Miami didn't have what I was looking for, checked there first.  Nothing hangs around there long.  That's where I got my 24-90 with fresh CLA and 2 years of warranty.  It did cost more than typical used but far less than new and I figured that was as close to new as you can get.

[ALScott]

FYI this lens was a complete bust.  The aperture blades were stuck/inoperable.  Upside is they did take it back and refund my money very fast and were very apologetic, so a very positive experience.  I paid more but that would not have happened with any option on FB or the like, I would have been stuck with it and sending it off to Leica for months of repair and more money.

[69xchange]

12 hours ago, ALScott said:

FYI this lens was a complete bust.  The aperture blades were stuck/inoperable.  Upside is they did take it back and refund my money very fast and were very apologetic, so a very positive experience.  I paid more but that would not have happened with any option on FB or the like, I would have been stuck with it and sending it off to Leica for months of repair and more money.

Weird how they did not test it before listing it. Unless the damage happened in transit.