Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/12/25
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Othesr have complimented John Van Stelten of Focal Point for his expert repair of lenses. I want to add my plaudits. I had a Canon 19/3.5 LTM lens (vintage 1967) that developed a ring-like haze around the rear element and had excessive flare in some situations. John diagnosed that the ring was not a deposit, but a reflection due to deterioration of the anti-reflection paint around the edge of the thick, deeply curved rear element. John was able to remove the element--not simple because the element was machined into the mount and swaged in--and replace the paint. When I tested the lens afterward, I was surprised to find that the lens was crisper and contrastier than when it was new1 Slides of a nearby cathedral (with numerous tiny details) were extremely sharp and crisp. I could not produce much flare no matter how close to the sun I shot, so that problem seems cured. The cost was $200 and well worth it considering the value of the lens and work and skill involved in extracting and re-swaging the element back in. Michael Volow (mvolo@acpub.duke.edu) Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC 919 286 0411 Ext 6933