Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/08/16
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Don, a lot of 50s vintage Leica lenses that suffer from flare can be remarkably improved, even if they look clean, by having them professionally cleaned and collimated. I've had lots of dud Summars but until I bought one that Sherry had worked her magic on, I had no idea what this lens could do. Similarly, a Summitar cleaned by Reinhold Mueller was transformed. The most dramatic improvement that I've seen in a lens was a prewar f2 50mm collapsible Sonnar that looked as clean as a whistle, but was a terrible performer. I sent it off to Henry Scherer, and it was transformed. You may have a similar experience with some 50s lenses if you send them off to be properly cleaned. The best bang for the buck still is a late Jupiter 3, which is just a fraction of the price of the Japanese copies of it, including the Canon 50/1.5 or the Simlar 50/1.5. But the Jupiter doesn't have that massive chrome and brass construction that the Japanese lenses have. On the other hand, the Jupiter balances far better on a screwmount or M Leica body than the heavier Japanese lenses, which make a Leica a bit tippy when you handle it. Mark