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Dropped my new D-Lux 109!


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Hi,

 

First post, hate that it's a question about servicing my new camera.

 

I purchased a D-lux 109, a few weeks ago & was out in the city taking pictures, when the camera slipped out of my hands and landed on the sidewalk.  I tried to catch it, but I couldn't get it in time.  The lens was extended & landed on the edge of the lens.  I do have a protective filter on it luckily, and there are no marks on the camera or lens & it still works fine.  The only thing is when I zoom in or out, there is a click around halfway through.  My guess is the impact knocked the threads out of alignment or something like that.

 

So this obviously isn't covered under the warranty & have read a few reviews of the repair facility in NJ.  I hate to send my new camera off & be without it for a long time.  Are they any better these days or Is there a reputable repair shop that anyone can recommend & can get this repaired in a decent amount of time?

 

Here's the last shot I took minutes before the fall.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Rod

PS I am ordering the grip for this & a different strap so this won't happen again!

 

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That is bad luck. You will find a wrist strap together with the Leica handgrip a huge improvement in security all round. If you bought the camera in the UK, it might be covered by the Passport system which includes accidental damage in the first year. Whatever, talk with your dealer and listen to his advice.

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An update to this.  I was all ready to send the camera out to leica on Monday.  I went out yesterday to shoot a little before eating Thanksgiving dinner, & the lens seems to have worked itself back to normal.  It no longer makes the clicking noise when zooming.  I'm very happy about this!  Lol

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The wrist strap is a great idea and was the first act I performed upon purchase. I went even further and bought a half case--just in case. I've owned Leicas since 1972 and never dropped one, but given the D-Lux 109 is digital and the lens is a zoom, I think the ounce of protection is worth it. I can vouch for the one made by Gariz; it's not the cheapest, nor is it the costliest, but it does provide better gripping, obviates concerns about setting the camera up on a rough surface (bottom won't get scratched), and still allows access to every control without adding weight. I even went for the shotgun strap, which is a cool idea if you ever want to engage in quick response street shooting.

 

One thought about your camera: you should check the optics checked for alignment. What's the point of having a camera with a potential misalignment of the elements. You should set your camera on a tripod, turn off the image stabilizer and take pictures at three or four focal lengths and check.

 

Cheers,

Rob

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As everyone is saying, the wrist strap is a must, more specially for small cameras.

 

From my personal experience, if you are right handed, use the wrist strap for your left hand (contrary to the common use!). This way, the camera is always in your left hand and you can use your right hand for different things without risking the camera. Also, as the camera is always held by left hand and the right hand is used to shoot, it make more sens! :)

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The wrist strap is a great idea and was the first act I performed upon purchase. I went even further and bought a half case--just in case. I've owned Leicas since 1972 and never dropped one, but given the D-Lux 109 is digital and the lens is a zoom, I think the ounce of protection is worth it. I can vouch for the one made by Gariz; it's not the cheapest, nor is it the costliest, but it does provide better gripping, obviates concerns about setting the camera up on a rough surface (bottom won't get scratched), and still allows access to every control without adding weight. I even went for the shotgun strap, which is a cool idea if you ever want to engage in quick response street shooting.

 

One thought about your camera: you should check the optics checked for alignment. What's the point of having a camera with a potential misalignment of the elements. You should set your camera on a tripod, turn off the image stabilizer and take pictures at three or four focal lengths and check.

 

Cheers,

Rob

 

Can you elaborate for a "layman".

 

Is this exercise to see if the image moves in frame as you change the focal length - therefore determining it is not "straight & true" ?

Edited by Pigford
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