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Zeiss ZM 21 f/2.8 LIght Leaks


rramesh

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Happened to read this in various threads on this forum including this one.

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/246140-21mm-lens-choice-advice.html posts #18-20.

 

Could someone advise if this was an issue in the past since fixed or if it is a still a current design issue? I am about to make a decision on purchasing this and need your advise. I would definitely need long exposure shots for some landscape work.

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Happened to read this in various threads on this forum including this one.

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/246140-21mm-lens-choice-advice.html posts #18-20.

 

Could someone advise if this was an issue in the past since fixed or if it is a still a current design issue? I am about to make a decision on purchasing this and need your advise. I would definitely need long exposure shots for some landscape work.

 

In addition, I have read somewere on this forum someone taped their 21 biogon to close the leaks. A picture of the taping would be nice to see. To see how much work it is and

If its only simple taping that can stay on it might be enough. If it has to be done every time the lens is put onto the camera it can be a big let down.

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I have never had any problem with my 21mm/2.8 Biogon ZM.

 

Well once I got a couple specks of salad dressing on the front element in a restaurant and didn’t realize they were there until after I had taken some photos with it on my M7. Several images were ruined by blurs the dressing caused, but I cleaned the dressing off and it did no damage to the lens. I can hardly blame Zeiss for that.;)

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Since the 21 f2.8 have been in production since 2004, it would be logical to assume that any issues should have been addressed.

 

Some folks allude this issue of light leaks to the fact that Leica changed the mount screws on digital M and the problem surfaced after Zeiss introduced a new coding groove on their mount. Both these two taken together reduced the light barrier. Any truth?

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I'm not aware of this issue being fixed by Zeiss. It's pretty easy to remedy yourself - all you need to do is fill in a the recessed screw head. Here is a post with a picture of some tape covering it - http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1313062&postcount=30

 

This issue seems to affect ZM lenses that has the groove on the mount.

 

-Thomas

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I'm not aware of this issue being fixed by Zeiss. It's pretty easy to remedy yourself - all you need to do is fill in a the recessed screw head. Here is a post with a picture of some tape covering it - http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1313062&postcount=30

 

This issue seems to affect ZM lenses that has the groove on the mount.

 

-Thomas

 

Unfortunately I am not in favor of hatchet jobs and putting things in the lens mount (paint, stickers, glue) that will flake and fall into the sensor. For a $400 CV it may be compelling but for a Zeiss costing upwards of $1000 I don't think so.

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I'm following this very closely (and your original 21mm thread) as I'm considering adding a 21 to my 35 and 50 lux kit. Let me know as I've been swithering between a CV 21 f4, 21 SEM and the Zeiss myself.

 

I'm in the same position. I'm currently saving for a 21 SEM only because I had a 21 Zeiss Biogon for several years.

 

I must have been one of the few who has had problems with this lens. While the color was wonderful and it had no observable distortion, mine was just a bit soft at infinity. It drove me nuts. I sent it back to Zeiss for a new mount and to have the focus checked. Zeiss sent it back with a 29/90 mount and no word of focus check. I then sent it to DAG and it came back better but not perfect. I gave up on this lens when I got my M9 and infinity was suddenly sharper but now the edges were red. I sold it before Leica came out with the new software update. PerhapsI was a bit hasty.

 

Now I'm missing the 21 focal length and my fund is up to the point where I could get another Biogon with a Zeiss finder or half a SEM or a CV with a CV finder and a Luigi case or a flash with the change. Then there is the new 21/1.8 CV.... aaaaahg!

 

I will be patient. I will be patient. I will be pat.....

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I have used my 21mm 2.8 Biogon facing the sun together with doing long exposures and haven't encountered the light leak problem with my M9. Mine is the later mount with the machined groove for coding. I have no idea if that suggests they have either fixed it in some way or that it only occurs with some lenses and cameras and not others

 

Steve

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I have four Zeiss ZM lenses, 18/4, 21/2.8, 25/2.8 and 50/2. None of these four have any problems with light leaks, so my guess is that this must be about faulty lenses, i.r. Either a manufacturing error or a damage to the lens i question.

 

All four of my Zeiss ZM lenses have the groove, that allows 6-bit coding, and still no light leaks.

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I'm glad to hear they have a pragmatic approach. But while they say it can be a problem with some lenses irrespective of manufacturer, the Leica lenses that have screws in the same position don't use large screws like Zeiss, much reducing the area that light can creep in by.

 

Steve

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I'm glad to hear they have a pragmatic approach. But while they say it can be a problem with some lenses irrespective of manufacturer, the Leica lenses that have screws in the same position don't use large screws like Zeiss, much reducing the area that light can creep in by.

 

Steve

 

Steve, I think you are spot on when you reference the large screw heads. There is no issue with either the Leica or CV lenses and maybe its because of their smaller screw heads.

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