Leica Sonnar 8.5cm again

V

VINCETAN

Top Veteran
While waiting for DAG to convert the Canon 0.95 I got from Brian, I ended up picking up a couple of lenses this week just to satisfy the itch. One was a Nikkor 5.0cm f1.4 that look pretty nice but have not had a chance to try it out. The other was a Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar. I sold the one I previously got to Brian and after seeing his pictures, I decided to give this lens another try. This time, the lens I picked up was a 50's lens with T coating on it. Body looks pretty good, the optics looks OK. When you do shine a bright light in it, you see dust and some micro bubbles. Some minor coating scratches also but overall great condition. Have not tried taking any pictures yet since the focusing is tight. Any idea how to take the focusing apart to regrease this lens?

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P1100718.jpg by VINCEKTAN, on Flickr

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P1100719.jpg by VINCEKTAN, on Flickr

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P1100720.jpg by VINCEKTAN, on Flickr

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P1100723.jpg by VINCEKTAN, on Flickr

Lumix G1 at 800 ISO wide open at 1/40th
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P1100701.jpg by VINCEKTAN, on Flickr
 
Very nice photo with the lens!

I have not taken one of these apart.

The optical formula is different from the pre-war lens, changed from 7/3 to 5/3. I'll be interested in seeing some outdoor shots to see the Bokeh.

The Nikkor 8.5cm F2 is a good alternative to the Sonnar, and can be found in Leica mount ~$300...
 
Thanks Brian. I got this because the condition looks good. It is just too hard to focus. Not sure if the focusing helicoid is similar to the one I sold you. I remember the trouble I had trying to put that thing back together especially the spring. Anyway, a few spec of dust inside but looks like the front can be easily unscrewed so I might give it a try.

I will give it a try outdoor when the weather clears up, maybe tomorrow. It might have less flare since the lens is coated.
 
I mounted the lens to my M with an Amadeo adapter and tested the focusing accuracy between the RF and EVF. It was not bad but could be a little better. Might have to add a shim. I will play with it a little when I have the time. I also unscrewed the front optics group where I am able to see the aperture blade when the front was removed. Unfortunately, the dust is inside the front group. Decided to back off the cleaning and maybe just send the lens out. The focus is still pretty stiff.
 
Tried to dismantle the lens today to see if I can fix it but no luck. It is different than the older one I took apart. So decided to put it back. Did manage to loosen the focus a bit but still tough to adjust. Here are some shot with this lens. Only adjusted the white balance on the picture of daisies. No other adjustment was made.

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L1000882.jpg by VINCEKTAN, on Flickr

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L1000881.jpg by VINCEKTAN, on Flickr

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L1000879.jpg by VINCEKTAN, on Flickr

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L1000878.jpg by VINCEKTAN, on Flickr

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L1000876.jpg by VINCEKTAN, on Flickr

Same image as the one above, cropped

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L1000876-Edit.jpg by VINCEKTAN, on Flickr

At f5.6

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L1000885.jpg by VINCEKTAN, on Flickr

At f1.4 set at infinity, the focus is a bit off there.

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L1000886.jpg by VINCEKTAN, on Flickr
 
From the recommendation of Brian, I sent the lens to Mike Elek to do the CLA on this lens. Sent the lens to him last a little over a week ago. Got word today that he is ready to ship the lens back. The focus is no longer tight but he did mentioned that it is a little rough near infinity. He also told me that the things I thought were specks of dust were actually air bubbles. Many of them.

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/4514/3xS28y.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/8900/lbXxxX.jpg

Can't wait to get the lens back to try it out.
 
I am still trying to get used to the lens. So took few shots today indoors wide open. Most of the shots were not good due to either bad focus or shake. I did not try it with a tripod or anything scientific. Color and contrast seems to be a bit off and I have to do some adjustment in LR. Here are a few that were adjusted.


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L1001023.jpg by VINCEKTAN, on Flickr

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L1001022.jpg by VINCEKTAN, on Flickr

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L1001038.jpg by VINCEKTAN, on Flickr

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L1001037.jpg by VINCEKTAN, on Flickr

Lens with an inexpensive hood I found off ebay.

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P1100879.jpg by VINCEKTAN, on Flickr
 
Are you using the RF to focus, or Liveview?

I had to build up the Cam of the Contax to M-Mount adapter that I use. Layers of copper tape, "hacked" way to make an indexed cam.
 
Brian said:
Are you using the RF to focus, or Liveview?

I had to build up the Cam of the Contax to M-Mount adapter that I use. Layers of copper tape, "hacked" way to make an indexed cam.
Click to expand...

Brian,

I think I used the RF with this. I try not to use the EVF as much as possible. This is with the Amadeo adapter. I find that the CZ Jena Sonnar is still not as easy to focus as the 90 APO Summicron or the Sonnar ZM.

Vnce
 
Have you used the EVF to verify that the Amedeo Adapter is accurate throughout the focus range?

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Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Spring 2015 by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

I used the LCD on the M9 to use the layers of copper tape to correct the residual error. It's good enough at F2 throughout the range.
 

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