R3D-D0T Posted October 20, 2016 Share #1 Posted October 20, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi there, So I got some Leica S lenses that had AF motor issues, so I sent them out. it's been over a month now though and no loaner. It's quite unacceptable so I'm looking at other medium format alternatives... any suggestions? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 20, 2016 Posted October 20, 2016 Hi R3D-D0T, Take a look here Lens fail... what now?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
tobey bilek Posted October 21, 2016 Share #2 Posted October 21, 2016 Learn your lesson. You need 3 of everything, one in the shop, one being checked out after repair, one to use. These are just like Ferraris, nice to own and drive occasionally, but you need Tony to keep it running and you will pay him dearly because there is no other place to go. Complain to Leica. They will tell you no parts or on the bench next week that never comes. I have been dealing with them for 30 years, 8-12 weeks is normal turn around. I send most repairs to DAG, but he does not do S. Sell it all, buy a Nikon D810 and some lenses. These are made for pro use. Older manual focus are beefy, I have dropped them on cement without damage except to the finish. Leica used to be beefy well made cameras, not so much today. The more electronics and features, the more trouble, just like cars. Try the Hasselblad forum & see what the folks think of them. I have no opinion. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwilliamsphotography Posted October 21, 2016 Share #3 Posted October 21, 2016 Just had yet another S lens AF failure. It is the second trip back for this lens in less than a year. Once for an catastrophic exposure issue, and now for failed AF. 3 months + to get it fixed, and poor communication while in service. Five out of my six S lenses have failed AF, and I'm waiting for the sixth lens to fail which seems inevitable. It is a shame since the S system makes wonderful images, and nothing else is quite the same. However, this stuff has to work reasonably well and be reasonably reliable. For MF, I would suggest looking at Hasselblad. I worked with the H system for almost a decade and experienced very good reliability, and reasonably swift service the few times I did need repairs. Their new mirrorless HXD camera looks very interesting, but it may take some time getting a more complete system to market. - Marc 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted October 21, 2016 Share #4 Posted October 21, 2016 It will be interesting to see what comes first: an X1D system with more than 3 lenses available for delivery; a Fuji GFX system with the same; or an official communication from Leica on the exact cause of the S lens AF issue and steps being taken to fix it, let alone a proactive fix for every lens affected. I'm not betting on the latter. Jeff 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McMaster Posted October 21, 2016 Share #5 Posted October 21, 2016 Given the used S prices these days, I would buy duplicates of all main used items as probably cheaper than a system change :-( john 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephan_w Posted October 22, 2016 Share #6 Posted October 22, 2016 Given the used S prices these days, I would buy duplicates of all main used items as probably cheaper than a system change :-( john I second that. After all it's an excelent system and actually they are looking for a durable fix for those AF issues, which probably explains the long duration of the repair. And let's also hope that restructuring their "professional" service will this time really get professional! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
djmay Posted October 22, 2016 Share #7 Posted October 22, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) Given the used S prices these days, I would buy duplicates of all main used items as probably cheaper than a system change :-( john Not a bad idea. The problem is taking all that gear on location when a lot of travel and/or hiking is involved. Location shooting and extra gear tend to be mutually exclusive. Last week I was in Krakow and next week is Prague. For the time being I am remaining with the S. My problems have been fixed and we shall see how reliable the system is going forward. Jesse Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephan_w Posted October 22, 2016 Share #8 Posted October 22, 2016 Not a bad idea. The problem is taking all that gear on location when a lot of travel and/or hiking is involved. Location shooting and extra gear tend to be mutually exclusive. Last week I was in Krakow and next week is Prague. For the time being I am remaining with the S. My problems have been fixed and we shall see how reliable the system is going forward. Jesse after all, for me the S-system has been absolutely reliable, and I use it (a lot) from the beginning (stil on my S2 with a lot of lenses). My problem with the AF only occured with the firmware update on the 30-90, but got it repaired for free. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
swiss leica fan Posted October 22, 2016 Share #9 Posted October 22, 2016 I had a sharpness issue with my 35mm that I bought as a used one with warranty from a reputable Leica dealer. The lens was decentered and it good repaired in Wetzlar within 14 days. After it came back I sent in my whole system for a check and adjustment (one body and five lenses). The Leica S Service was very responsive and reliable. I cross the fingers. I have no complaints. Kind regards Swiss Leica Fan Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georges Posted October 23, 2016 Share #10 Posted October 23, 2016 (edited) I am having a lot of fun with my 006 ...... and my Hasselblad HC lenses. Adapter is great. Works just like an S lens, but without the AF issues. Edited October 23, 2016 by Georges Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom0511 Posted October 23, 2016 Share #11 Posted October 23, 2016 I wonder if there are certain bodies which do lead to more problems than other bodies...since I still have not experienced a problem with any of my S lenses on my S body and then there are some people here having issues with several lenses. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
albireo_double Posted October 23, 2016 Share #12 Posted October 23, 2016 I had no problems with the S2 but two of my newer lenses (70CS/24) failed after I switched to S007. Maybe the newer body has a faster motor or something. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McMaster Posted October 23, 2016 Share #13 Posted October 23, 2016 I have an S2-P and three AF failures so far..... john Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterv Posted October 23, 2016 Share #14 Posted October 23, 2016 I too have an S2-P and three lenses (24, 70CS and 120CS) and after three years only the 120mm failed, twice. I'm going to stay in the S system, the results are just too good. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RVB Posted October 23, 2016 Share #15 Posted October 23, 2016 I too have an S2-P and three lenses (24, 70CS and 120CS) and after three years only the 120mm failed, twice. I'm going to stay in the S system, the results are just too good. Have too agree with that Peter, I did some shots last week for a friend and the files are so good, barely any processing is required. Rob 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sortvitt Posted October 24, 2016 Share #16 Posted October 24, 2016 Keep the kit. I spoke to the head of of Leica's professional unit a month ago, he said they were in the finalization stage of a solution for the AF problems. That should mean a fix is underway. Personally I sold all my S gear a while ago after 4 of 6 lenses failed. I would have stayed with it if I a solution was imminent, but the total silence from Leica on the matter put me off enough to take the hit and look elsewhere. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xiaubauu2009 Posted October 24, 2016 Share #17 Posted October 24, 2016 Keep the kit. I spoke to the head of of Leica's professional unit a month ago, he said they were in the finalization stage of a solution for the AF problems. That should mean a fix is underway. Personally I sold all my S gear a while ago after 4 of 6 lenses failed. I would have stayed with it if I a solution was imminent, but the total silence from Leica on the matter put me off enough to take the hit and look elsewhere. In the same situation as you. I just cannot accept a premium professional product that has such fail rate and not to mention electronic problem. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertknappmd Posted October 24, 2016 Share #18 Posted October 24, 2016 I have had one failure in 6 years but the quality of the photographs is such that I view this as unfortunate but tolerable. I am hopeful that a definitive fix is on the way and that we can put this distracting issue behind us once and for all. Albert 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W Posted October 25, 2016 Share #19 Posted October 25, 2016 After a year of use, my S007 and 5 lens kit has had not failures. I am not a heavy user like a professional so that might be one reason but most of my lens are of the CPO from Leica. They may be CPO as they went back for AF motor replacement. Was there not something written in a thread where Leica had a fix for this issue and there would be some kind of announcement at Photokina? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted October 25, 2016 Share #20 Posted October 25, 2016 Was there not something written in a thread where Leica had a fix for this issue and there would be some kind of announcement at Photokina? Yes, a post from Neil, but nothing of the kind happened at Photokina...or since. Leica has made no official statement about the exact nature of the problem, steps being taken to fix it, or a process to proactively repair all lenses if and when a permanent solution arises. We only know that they will fix AF problems for free, in or out of warranty, but apparently not until a lens breaks. Jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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