Is there a Zenitar M 50mm f/1.7 that has not been serviced?

blotafton · Joined: 08 Aug 2013 Posts: 1552 Location: Sweden

I have noticed that every Zenitar M 50mm f/1.7 lens I've seen have the typical marks of having been worked on.
First of all, what needs to be serviced? Old lubrication?

Secondly. A few days ago I inspected every ebay listing and as expected all of them had the signs. A few were untouched at the front but all had signs at the rear end.

Request: Do you have a mint condition Zenitar, and if so does it work?

The question arose after trying two copies that just wasn't as good as they probably should be.

Lightshow · Joined: 04 Nov 2011 Posts: 3669 Location: Calgary

There are lenses that can have issues like using a new grease type and it breaks down after some time, so all lenses of a run could be affected, so finding one from an auction site that hasn't been opened up may be near impossible, you could ask a seller if they come across any untouched copies that you would be interested, they will exist, but no guarantee you'll find a better performer.

kiddo · Joined: 29 Jun 2018 Posts: 1120

That's like Helios and eastern Germany lenses , most of them (probably all) would need service for dried grease, haze (should that bad grease produce the haze?) in the optics etc. Voigtlander DKL suffer from bad glue between optics (Canada balsam?, I'm not sure ) . My only lenses that had no issues are the Zeiss C/Y, neither of them ever need it, Topcor ain't smooth like new ,but still ok .

jamaeolus · Expire: 2015-08-20

I have a few European lenses that are still in excellent functioning condition. Schneider and Carl Zeiss (west) seems the best of the German lenses that I have. Of course Pentax are the best in this regard, and Japanese lenses are generally better in this regard. But I have examples of Schacht, Enna , Meyer , Steinheil and even CZJ that function properly. But the good examples of CZJ are not common at all. As far as Soviet lenses I have so few examples that I can't speak to the issue. Voigtlander separation issues are bigger problem. Repairing those is not for the faint of heart.

jamaeolus · Expire: 2015-08-20

I have a few European lenses that are still in excellent functioning condition. Schneider and Carl Zeiss (west) seems the best of the German lenses that I have. Of course Pentax are the best in this regard, and Japanese lenses are generally better in this regard. But I have examples of Schacht, Enna , Meyer , Steinheil and even CZJ that function properly. But the good examples of CZJ are not common at all. As far as Soviet lenses I have so few examples that I can't speak to the issue. Voigtlander separation issues are bigger problem. Repairing those is not for the faint of heart.

linebrell · Joined: 10 Apr 2019 Posts: 234 Location: Russia

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I had almost mint Zenitar 50/1.7 before. Still regret about selling it.

kiddo · Joined: 29 Jun 2018 Posts: 1120

Linebrell: most of the russian lenses ,show nice and new , but suffer from stiff focus ,oily blades and haze ,Wich I suspect it's got to do with the grease they used

linebrell · Joined: 10 Apr 2019 Posts: 234 Location: Russia

Oldhand · Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2019 9:36 pm Post subject:

Mine is clean, no haze, dry blades and an excellent optic.
It is no Takumar as far as its helicoid is concerned, but not terrible.
No signs of servicing either.
Made in 1985
A great lens by the way
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sergtum · Joined: 14 Nov 2016 Posts: 735

I bought my Zenithar in 1981 (with a Zenith-19 camera). since that time, the lens works perfectly. I have shown in photo slight damage to the lens. this damage is not a trace of preventive maintenance. this injury is the result of my negligence. I dropped my camera on the floor of the bus during one of my trips. the helicoid rotates correctly and without difficulty despite this curvature of the two parts of the lens.

blotafton · Joined: 08 Aug 2013 Posts: 1552 Location: Sweden

Those Zenitars looks great thanks for posting everyone! So they do exist. It's not that I'm looking to buy a new one, I'm more interested in the discussion.
I agree about Pentax. The ones in my possession operate like they were just made, which is incredible.

Here is the copy I kept. It has a strange retaining ring. Not sure if it's modified or something.

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sergtum · Joined: 14 Nov 2016 Posts: 735

aidaho · Joined: 29 Apr 2018 Posts: 456 Location: Ukraine

Lens retainer probably decided it's okay to catch 5D mirror at infinity, but previous owner was having none of that.

y · Joined: 11 Aug 2013 Posts: 304 Location: EU

Majority of USSR/GDR lenses got rough life. An average person could barely afford consumer goods as a SLR back then. So their lifespan was rather long and self-repairs common.

All Zenitar-Ms I've seen outside ebay were in rough shape. My copy got scratches all over the barrel, lube is a bit stiff and aperture spring feels a bit weak. Glass is fine though.

blotafton · Joined: 08 Aug 2013 Posts: 1552 Location: Sweden

Lightshow · Joined: 04 Nov 2011 Posts: 3669 Location: Calgary

Gardener · Joined: 22 Sep 2013 Posts: 950 Location: USA

When it's done right you are not going to see it's been serviced.