Leica IIIf lens producing flare

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I got hold of a vintage Leica IIIf camera with a Summar lens (f=5cm, 1:2). Unfortunately, the lens shows wear and tear very much by producing a flare.<br>

Here is a picture of the lens <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/beowulf222/P1000236.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>And here is an example of the flare: <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/beowulf222/05870012.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>I would like to know what my options are to reduce the flare. My (limited) understanding is that a UV filter would already help. If that's the case, can you give me some references what filter (model name, 3rd party filter, etc.) I should look at.</p>

<p>Thanks,<br>

nick</p>

<p>A UV filter is unlikely to help. If you have one for any other camera, try holding it in front of your lens make a few exposures with and without, and see if there is any difference. Looks like it's hazed over, and/or has oil on the blades (check using a flashlight). Maybe you can get the lens cleaned? Though that <em>is </em> beautiful, romantic flare. A lens shade will probably help a little.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>That's how my 35mm Serenar looked before I had it cleaned:</p>

<p><a href="photo?photo_id=5393121&size=lg"><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/5393121-md.jpg" border="0" alt="New Year's Day with a hazy lens" width="679" height="450" /></a></p>

<p>It's uncoated and it has haze inside the elements. The only thing that will fix it is to have it properly cleaned (even then it will flare as it is uncoated - but at least it would not be hazy). An alternative is simply to buy a lens in better condition. A coated lens would be better, but it is true that some people do appreciate the look of an uncoated lens on occasion. A UV filter will not do nothing in this case.</p>

<p>Some folks might pay a premium for a lens that gives atmospheric images like that - it's rather pleasant. Once the lens is properly cleaned, use the longest, blackest hood that you can (preferably a 'square' one) to help reduce of-axis light spilling into the lens - it <em>may </em> help.</p>

<p>It's uncoated and it has haze inside the elements. The only thing that will fix it is to have it properly cleaned (even then it will flare as it is uncoated - but at least it would not be hazy). An alternative is simply to buy a lens in better condition. A coated lens will be better, but some people do appreciate the look of an uncoated lens on occasion. A UV filter will do nothing in this case.</p>

<p>As others have said, the flare is due to internal haze. Having this cleaned is not particularly difficult or costly, but before you do this, check the lens by shining a torch through it from the back. The Summar was made of softish glass and scratched very easily if cleaned clumsily. If your lens is scratched, you may not wish to spend much money on it, but it would still perform considerably better without the haze, even with scratches.</p>

<p>Hi,<br>

So if I understand you correctly then you are suggesting I get the lens cleaned. Well, that was supposedly done when I gave it to a little service when I was still in Europe. And yes, the lens is uncoated. Maybe it is visible in the picture of my original post, but there are circular marks on the lens.<br>

There is a camera repair shop near Wilkie Edge, close to Nanyang Fine Arts School ... I will pester the guy again.<br>

In addition, I will look for a lens shade.<br>

Thanks a lot for your input.</p>

<p>-- nick</p>

<p>I recently bought a Summar and had the same issues. Two things you need to do IMO:<br>

1) open the lens up and get some cotton buds and some alcahol and clean the haze. If you are not confident, then send it to an expert to clean.<br>

2)this is at least just as important...get the FIKUS hood.</p><div></div>

<p>Hey Tom,<br>

The lens is actually in good shape. I went to a shop today and the guy there looked at the lens. He also has a vintage hood for quite a hefty price. This FIKUS hood ... is it a new hood or vintage? How do you select the aperture once you have the hood on (it's hard to judge from the picture).<br>

-- nick</p>

<p>FYI: The FIKUS hood costs £25 in the UK, so I wouldn't expect it to be significantly more than $25 in the US ....</p>

<p>The summar lens is a very good lens and in my eyes the best lens ever made i love its softness and colour reproduction. if you stop down and use a good quality filter eg: hoya and lens hood ,hope that will help. </p><div></div>

<p>Luckily, my Summar is coated. I can't tell any significant difference between its images and those of a late Summicron.</p>

<p>The flare on the photo looks unusual even for an uncoated lens, no hood. Maybe you could send a photo without so much sky? Maybe UV filter would help but I doubt if any filter would do much. <br>

Does anybody know how much UV light gets through a Summar? Probably a fair bit</p>

beautiful lenses and longevity if you look after them.

You don't have to guess or rely on others. Shine a flashlight through the lens and look off-axis through the other side. Do you see a lot of haze? Compare it with another lens. How are the surfaces? Does the front surface have a lot of fine "cleaning-marks" also known as scratches? Uncoated lenses can do a fine job under many conditions, especially if you use a good long hood.

A filter of any kind cannot eliminate or reduce flare. What will reduce it, as others have said, is a hood. Be aware that lenses of different focal lengths need hoods of different lengths. Thus "longest, blackest" is only half correct.

Note that this lens is even more vintage today than it was a decade ago when the question was asked.

I've seen flare caused by the loss of anti-reflective paint on the optics of these older lenses. Look for loss of paint on the edge of the optics, or where it has separated causing a reflective surface. I've used a black marker with good success of reducing flare.