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how to tell if a APO 50mm is the latest?


paul chiu

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I understand there were some flare or distortion issues with an early batch of the Leica 11141 APO-Summicron-M 50mm/f2 super lens.

 

my dealer called and is shipping one i ordered back in June. Is there something on the lens or packaging that indicates the APO 50mm is the latest version?

 

thanks!

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If your dealer just received the lens, it is the current production. When the flare issue surfaced over a year ago, Leica stopped producing them for several months I believe and there were no new ones available till recently. There should be a test certificate in the box and it will give the build date.

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So the price increase was not because of a new re-design?

 

If your dealer just received the lens, it is the current production. When the flare issue surfaced over a year ago, Leica stopped producing them for several months I believe and there were no new ones available till recently. There should be a test certificate in the box and it will give the build date.
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It was my understanding that just the innards of the barrel were re-designed but not the glass. I could be wrong, however ...

 

I can't remember where this info came from ...... possibly during an hour or so I spent at Leica Mayfair with my Leica T + adapter trying to convince them that it was hopelessly out at infinity with manual lenses ..... but at any rate I am fairly sure I am not imagining this ....

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When did they announced this glass element implementation?

 

The lens went out of production completely for about 6 months while they sorted out the flare issue. Supply was only re-started when Leica were sure that the problem was solved. The number of lenses in actual circulation by the time production was suspended was probably relatively small..... and anyone with significant flare issues returned their lenses for modification. All current lenses should be fine. Leica never indicated precisely what the problem was ..... or what they did to resolve it. Someone needs to source a before and after pair of lenses and dismantle them to find out .....:rolleyes:

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"Replacement" could just as soon mean that one element was replaced by another instance with the same specifications.

 

Presumably not exactly the same specification otherwise I don't see the point of replacing the element.:) In my book, a change to something like the coating, even if the glass has the same optical qualities, does constitute a minor design change.

 

I think the OP is unduly worried. Any 50 APO supplied by Leica this year will be the latest more flare resistant version.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Some of the original batch had an anti-reflective coating which was not within tolerances. Apparently there is no way to determine affected lenses by serial number because the elements are made in batches and were not assembled at the same time. Affected lenses had the element, or elements, replaced.

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I called Leica in Wetzlar and asked if I should send in mine (I have an early production item) but I was told that unless I experienced problems and could document it with photos I should leave it as it is.

 

They actually told you that you needed to document it with a photo? That is massively screwed up customer service. I would still just send it back. I did. Actually, I flat out returned mine to the dealer.

 

How would you know if you are experiencing the problem? You don't have a good sample lens to compare it to. Does Leica believe their customers are set up with optical benches and equipment to test their lenses? Leica should recall all lenses and check them as a "courtesy" to their valued customers (read; it's the right thing to do).

Edited by RickLeica
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I think the OP is unduly worried. Any 50 APO supplied by Leica this year will be the latest more flare resistant version.

 

Probably true. But, Leica should provide the serial numbers of lenses that are effected. They should be transparent. I know I'm not going to buy one of these lenses again for at least a year so that I feel relatively assured the duds are out of the system. I certainly would never buy this lens used until the serial numbers are sufficiently high. Early samples will probably have a more difficult time selling used.

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