wildlightphoto Posted November 4, 2009 Share #1 Posted November 4, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) My beloved 280 has lubricant on the aperture blades and has become sluggish. I have heard that for proper re-assembly this lens must be sent to Leica in Solms, can anyone verify this? I'd much rather hand-carry it to Don Goldberg but since he's in Wisconsin and I'm in California the odds of this happening are rather slim and if it has to go to Solms this wouldn't work anyway. The last time this lens needed repair it was to replace a chipped front element. It was in Solms for four MONTHS and was returned missing the front cap and with the aperture mechanism disconnected from the aperture ring Any suggestions are welcome. I do not relish the thought of 4 months of down time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 4, 2009 Posted November 4, 2009 Hi wildlightphoto, Take a look here Service for the 280mm f/4 APO-Telyt-R. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jaapv Posted November 4, 2009 Share #2 Posted November 4, 2009 Within the Leica world this is indeed a lens that may only be serviced in Solms, as they use laser interference patterns to align the elements during assembly. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyp Posted November 4, 2009 Share #3 Posted November 4, 2009 Doug You might give Kindermann a shot at it. If they can work on it, I'd bet it would be within a reasonable time frame. Gary Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgcd Posted November 5, 2009 Share #4 Posted November 5, 2009 Mine had to go back to Solms, that was when Kindermann was still the official distributor. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick_dykstra Posted November 5, 2009 Share #5 Posted November 5, 2009 Doug, how about sending it directly to Solms? Use the pro service - you're entitled. You should have it back in a few weeks. They don't advertise their email addresses these days but your local distributor should be able to source the pro service registration forms. Good luck - hope you get it back pronto. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicanut2 Posted November 6, 2009 Share #6 Posted November 6, 2009 Sorry to here about you 280mm great lens. If it was summer you could drive to the wisconsin would be a weekend trip. Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildlightphoto Posted November 6, 2009 Author Share #7 Posted November 6, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Sorry to here about you 280mm great lens. If it was summer you could drive to the wisconsin would be a weekend trip. Jan If it were spring I'd take a few weeks off work and catch the midwestern warbler migration! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_x2004 Posted November 6, 2009 Share #8 Posted November 6, 2009 Rick, is this the same thing? Leica Camera AG - Service - Fast & Express Service Theres a download PDF and outlining the bribes for the privilege of paying them promptly. This doesnt surprise me at all "four MONTHS and was returned missing the front cap and with the aperture mechanism disconnected" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicamr Posted November 6, 2009 Share #9 Posted November 6, 2009 Good luck to anybody sending anything to Solms for repair. I have an R8/DMR in for a focus issue. They put the R8 on the "test bench" and found nothing wrong with it. They did find issue with the aperture rings (whatever they are) and the winding mechanism. I asked the magic question "Have they taken a picture with it?", response, No! They now require a lens to take a picture with it. It appears that when they sold off all of the R equipment they included all lenses for test purposes. They have quoted GBP500 for repair of problems I have no issue with, but they fail to take a picture on the DMR to find a focus issue! Genius. Just like my M8 sent to Solms with back focus issues from about 3 metres or more. It still doesn't focus my lenses correctly but was setup on their "test bench". It appears that the "test bench" and reality don't relate. Leica, I hope you are reading this. But I guess M9 production is priority over everything else, S2 production and repair items. Anybody got an R9 for sale? It is more cost effective and safer to buy into the unknown than dealing with a "known" service department. I will update you once I have supplied Solms with a test lens. Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick_dykstra Posted November 7, 2009 Share #10 Posted November 7, 2009 Good luck to anybody sending anything to Solms for repair. <snippety snip> Hmmm...??? I've been using the Solms repair service for 14 years and for the most part it's been very positive. They've sorted out some problems that I didn't think they could and did a very good job. Bit expensive some times, no doubt ... but worth it for what I wanted done. After sincerely congratulating me on the purchase of my first Leica - one of the first R8s - a wise photographer and Leica friend said to me with a wink, "Best not to have just one Leica!" After a few of my Leica bits had gone on the pilgrimage to Solms I understood what he meant. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick_dykstra Posted November 7, 2009 Share #11 Posted November 7, 2009 Rick, is this the same thing? Leica Camera AG - Service - Fast & Express Service] Yeah, that link looks right in terms of timings ... When I was working flat out as a weekend pro and needed (and got) very good backup I was sent some forms that allowed me to register for quick 'pro' support. The deal was that Solms would do very quick service, but I don't remember costs like that being involved. This was 7-10 years ago, so I'm a bit out of touch. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted November 7, 2009 Share #12 Posted November 7, 2009 They still do that, but don't advertise it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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