oil/random debris on aperture blades

[bert26]

It took the repair shop here in Portland two tries to realign the retainer ring on my v4 35 Summicron. The first time, the lens was CLA'd but the retainer ring was still way off, the second time it was solid, but I had to bring it back about 10 days ago because the aperture ring got real stiff between f8-f16. The owner insisted that the aperture ring was smooth through and through but it clearly was not at all. Anyway, I got it back for the third time yesterday and the stiff aperture problem is gone but I just noticed this.. Hopefully this isn't oil (as seen in video and 3rd image) but either way, there's an odd speck of something. Anyone know?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyIyXlsWA2c

[santino]

Doesn't look like oil to me... probably the paint of the blades is slightly damaged due to much use. It won't effect your pictures.

[Guth]

Not sure how much is captured by the photos/video. But I would tend to agree that it looks more like surface wear than oil, although from watching the video I can see more of what you mean and why you think it looks there is some oily/greasy residue.

Where in Portland did you take it?

[Freakscene]

Mine did the same. Got it cleaned, did it again. I learned to stop worrying and love the bokeh. Some people can’t get over it:

“Unfortunately, my lens developed a problem. The black paint or anodizing or whatever it was on the aperture blades started to flake off, and the tiny chips began to collect right in the center of the adjacent inner elements...right in the optical axis.”
http://theonlinephotographer.typepad...t-me-down.html

Version 4 35 Summicrons and other Leica lenses of this period do this. Either get out with it, shoot, and don’t worry until you see a problem in the photos, or sell it and buy something older or more modern. Getting them cleaned seems to start a cascade of increasing particles, and can encourage further existential fretting.

Marty

[bert26]

Originally Posted by Guth

Not sure how much is captured by the photos/video. But I would tend to agree that it looks more like surface wear than oil, although from watching the video I can see more of what you mean and why you think it looks there is some oily/greasy residue.

Where in Portland did you take it?

Right? And what about that flake or whatever it is? You can see it in every image but in the first, under the R, you can see it very clearly on the aperture blade. I took it to this shop called Advance that has great reviews but my experience has been pretty ****ty.

[bert26]

Originally Posted by Freakscene

Mine did the same. Got it cleaned, did it again. I learned to stop worrying and love the bokeh. Some people can’t get over it:

“Unfortunately, my lens developed a problem. The black paint or anodizing or whatever it was on the aperture blades started to flake off, and the tiny chips began to collect right in the center of the adjacent inner elements...right in the optical axis.”
http://theonlinephotographer.typepad...t-me-down.html

Version 4 35 Summicrons and other Leica lenses of this period do this. Either get out with it, shoot, and don’t worry until you see a problem in the photos, or sell it and buy something older or more modern. Getting them cleaned seems to start a cascade of increasing particles, and can encourage further existential fretting.

Marty

Woah, did not know that! I don't mind the paint but would be pissed if there was oil on the blades. So would that large blue flake (under the R on the first image) on the aperture blade also be paint or anodization? Another video to further show what i’m talking about: https://youtu.be/Tew8SvN8B8Y I don't care at all as long as it won't pose a risk of serious problems down the road (the way oil on the blades would.)

[Freakscene]

Originally Posted by bert26

Woah, did not know that! I don't mind the paint but would be pissed if there was oil on the blades. So would that large blue flake (under the R on the first image) on the aperture blade also be paint or anodization? Another video to further show what i’m talking about: https://youtu.be/Tew8SvN8B8Y I don't care at all as long as it won't pose a risk of serious problems down the road (the way oil on the blades would.)

All the flecks in the photos and video you posted look to me look like the bits that appeared in my Leica v4 35 Summicron. They might be anodisation, paint, or dust. Once I had my lens apart and I looked at the blades with a dissecting microscope, I could find shapes that were uncoated/unpainted that corresponded to some of the flecks. Others not so much. I don’t know if it is paint or a chemical coating like anodisation, or how much is dust. From the lenses I have bought brand new, I do know Leica lenses come (usually very lightly) pre-dusted.

Oil on the blades is only a problem when it gums up instant return apertures on SLR lenses. Oil is not really a problem on rangefinder lenses. The vast majority of lenses have some to a lot of dust in them.

Either get over it and use the lens (I never have had a problem from it and I got my v4 in 1998) or sell it. Worrying about photos of the lens, as opposed to photos taken with it, is pointless.

Marty