Summicron front element recoated by Arax, looks good.

[phototone]

I just received back the front element from a Summicron 50mm f2 lens, that I sent Gevorg at Arax Photo in the Ukraine, for polishing and recoating.

I decided to try Gevorg, because I have ordered quite a few pieces of Kiev medium format equipment and lenses from him and have received excellent service, and he does offer recoating of lenses.

The only alternative was here in the USA, and it was so much higher, that I thought it was worth the risk. I think I remember the price as being over $250, for here in the USA.

He requested that I just send the element, not the whole lens, and it was easy to remove, as I have a lens spanner wrench to remove the front retaining ring, and I also have one of those little suction bulbs to lift the cell out. I wrapped it in cotton, and put it in an old Kodak screw-apart filter box, and wrapped that in bubble wrap and then put the whole thing in a much larger box.

Oh, I know you are wondering what the cost was. Polish and recoat front element, $30 + $8 shipping back to me.

I will test the lens out today, and give feedback on its performance. This lens had so many abraisions on the front coating that it looked like the moon, but it was obvious that they were coating scratches, and not deep (not into the glass). It now looks new!

Gene McCluney (Phototone)