Search the Community

I'm a pro fot. from switzerland, and I got a new m9 a few weeks ago. Sorry for my english. I'll give you a feedback about the m9, as it seems to me to be of some importance if you are looking for a professional use of the m9. First tests of my m9 have revealed 2 types of BIG problems: 1. the 4 lens I use the most ( 28/2 asph, 35/2 asph, 50/2 lastv., 90/2.8 lv), coded by Leica-CH 1 year before for use with my two m8.2 (Leica-CH changed my fisrt m8.2 three month after for a lot of electronic defects), where inacurate on the m9 (but perfect on the m8.2). The 35 was the worse of all (blur, irregularly, in the 4 corner, but like if the image was moved, even closed to 16, on tripod, at 1000e, etc). Leica CH has recalibrated (dismount, remount, check on optical bank etc. = 3 people and 1 day of work) for free this 4 lenses, and since that, they are perfectly acurate again on my m9 (but I've sold my m8.2, can't compare anymore). Leica CH said to me, without any doubt, that at this point of precision (=fullframe etc.) a perfect adjustment between THIS lens and THIS body is inevitable (meaning: you will not get the best of your lenses if you change them from one body to another. Btw, ALPA nows that since ten years - I'm also using an alpa 12 swa: 1 lens adjsuted for 1 digital back adjusted on 1 body, thats the only rule if you want to get the best of your gear). Leica also told me that using the same lenses on m8.2 and m9 wont be a good idea: they cannot calibrate the lens perfectly for the 2 bodys, so I will have to choose: a perfect calibration for my m9, a perfect one for my m8.2, or a middle-way calibration for the 2 bodys. Meaning also that if you are using two m9, or one m8 and one m9... just buy yourself 2 lens of each length? The technicians were absolutly clear: when Leica.com says that you can use any lens from 1954 til today, it's true... only if you don't care about quality. 2. The second BIG problem I encounter is a dead line of blue pixels on the 640iso and more on about every shoots. It is always situated on the first 1/5 of the image, at left, from top to bottom (I post here a portion of 100% pix, without developement, 640 iso, left top corner of the image). I know I've read something about that on some forums before geting my m9 but cannot find it again. Leica-CH says that they have knowledge of this problem, and they claim that it is probably (????) a: a. firmware problem b. processor in the m9 problem c. postreatment in the m9 problem d. sensor problem They also reassure me that they will correct that for free... anytime... no idea when... january 2010? June 2011? By changing the firmware, or changing the processor, or changing the postreatment, or changing... the sensor! If so, the lenses should be one more time adjusted... I have to say that technicians and representative at Leica-CH are very helpful and very nice people. They really do what they can. They helped me so far with all their knowledge. This message is nothing like a way to disminish them or Leica. I've worked since 1978 with m3, m6 and m7 with an absolute confidence and top results. I only try to go digital... not for my pleasure, but for economic reasons. If you're interested in the following of that story, let me know! I'm also speaking of that with Erwin Puts. All the best, Leica lovers!

I just bought a Summicron 50mm Type III Rigid from someone on RFF. I received the lens in the mail today and he had mentioned there are some cleaning marks on the front, but after closer inspection it seems like it is a fungus, and not cleaning marks. I snapped a few pics in my apartment tonight and I can't see it in the pics... what should I do. I got a good price on it, should I send to DAG to get CLA'd or is it a lost cause... I've included a pic of the front element. Other than the spots the lens is in very good condition... 1) Are these spots fungus? 2) Can this be cleaned in a CLA by DAG or another Leica dealer? 3) Is it worth going through the hassle or should I try to get my money back?

I have recently had a strange issue. I have a Leica M8 with a number of Leica lenses. I purchased a used Lux 50mm and started testing it out. After a number of shots, the camera ceased taking pictures. The shutter would be pressed and it would go off but the camera simply would have its red light next to the LCD screen blink and not show a picture - or even show fuzzy white lines. I switched the lens out with another and it was fine. No other lens of mine has this effect on my camera but can the lens cause the camera to behave like this. I left it overnight and it started to work again but same thing happened after a few shots. Has anyone experienced a problem like this? Please Help!!!