Operations carried out
Cameras and lenses
Summitar 5cm f/2
A little deal for this 1951 Summitar.
The risk was mainly a light veil under the headlamp.
The diagram shows a glued group, almost impossible to dismantle without taking risks.
Also, a focus ring that’s a little too firm with a hard point towards the infinity position.
Disassembly is relatively simple for tuning.
3 screws at the rear hold the distance guide, then unscrew the helical ramps.
The separation point is around 3 meters on the distance scale.
The old grease must be removed particularly well, and do not even hesitate to clean thoroughly with a wooden stick (skewer or toothpick).
The lubrication must be very very very light, a simple film is more than enough, these helicopters are very adjusted.
Reassembly is the reverse of disassembly, of course.
Focusing is now smooth and pleasant, although the thinness of the ring and the infinite lock button are not the most practical.
Sometimes you have to go beyond the limits you impose on yourself…
If dismantling the front block seemed “mission impossible”,
because there is no grip on the identification ring, this block was still factory-mounted.
The diagram clearly shows 4 elements in two groups at the front.
It was necessary to separate these two groups to see things more clearly (if I dare say so).
Protecting the front lens well, I used a reverse vice to firmly hold the front part.
Wearing garden rubber gloves (no slipping), I held the vice firmly and unscrewed the back of the block, not without force…
The groups separated, the veil was on the surface of the second lens of the first group…
Gentle treatment in several passes, the veil has disappeared.
Final cleaning and reassembly.
Test 1 with the fog
It’s obvious that such a haze on the lenses makes normal use impossible, unless the effect is deliberately intended…
Post-processing improves things of course, but it’s artificial and depending on the lighting conditions, the images remain a disaster.
Leica M9 400 iso.
The advantage of digital is that when you put it through the LightRoom mill, it becomes more correct.
On colour film, it’s certainly more boring, much less so in black and white.
Test 2 without fog
A test at full aperture with a digital Leica left me speechless.
At full aperture, no loss, amazing definition and contrast.
At over 70, the little old man is still in fine form.
Test images, 1/2 hour outdoors…
The first photo was taken indoors, under artificial light, at full aperture.
The others were taken outdoors with several apertures…
By design, this lens does not tolerate backlighting or side lighting… I can only confirm this.
Overall, the definition is good, like the lenses of this era, with no significant vignetting or distortion.
The colours are a bit pastel, with a bit of magenta, like aging Kodachrome, and that’s also original.
Some photos are 1/1 crops of the previous images, which confirms the quality of this focal length.
The background (the bokeh) is very pleasing.
LEICA the legendary brand
I decline all responsibility if you damage your toys!!! There are also professionals to do this work!