Disappointed

[theendlesshouse]

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WarriorJazz stick with them, they are truly wonderful. I personally think a once a year service is excessive.

[ayewing]

Like many others, my experience of Leica has been good. My first Leica was a M2 which in 35 years of regular but not heavy usage required CLA once and never went out of adjustment. Film of course is more forgiving than Digital and I did not have any really wide aperture lenses so perhaps I had minor problems which I did not notice.

 

My recent experience of the M9 has been good and its adjustment with my Summilux 50mm Asph is spot on even when magnified on the computer monitor. I hope my luck holds.

 

I sympathise with the OP as he does seem to have had rotten luck. Building a good relationship with a competent technician who is willing to discuss problems is very helpful.

[WarriorJazz]

Thanks guys! It great to hear about your positive experiences with Leica's. It made me decide I'll give it one more try.

I planned to drop my M6 off at Will van Manen today but work was crazy. Probably tomorrow. Keep you posted.

[menos I M6]

Eelco, I own a M6, M7, MP, M8.2, M9 and a R-D1.

 

I shoot daily with the M8.2 and M9 now (before the M9, one of the film bodies has been a second body to the M8.2.

 

Before the M8.2 has been added, I used regularly the M6 and EPSON R-D1 as a pair.

 

I use mainly very fast lenses, shooting during the evening and nightly hours.

The rangefinders on all cameras therefore have to be aligned perfectly, to prevent regular issues with focus.

 

The bodies, I use daily, have to be calibrated about once, every 6 − 12 months.

 

Would I shoot only rather slow lenses (f2.8 or slower) and completely prevent, using my long lenses (90mm and longer), I would certainly not have to look after the rangefinders so closely and would easily come along with adjusting them every two years or after a big knock.

 

I must inform you, that indeed rangefinder alignment is a necessary work, every serious shooter should learn, very similar to how properly clean your lenses or your digital camera's sensor.

It is a regular standard treatment of maintenance to a Leica M, when used for critical work.

 

Sure, regular Leica users, who own a M7 and get out once of twice in a month, to shoot a nice landscape with a stopped down lens won't need as critical a setting. Neither would a retired, older gentleman, getting his classic sports car for a ride on the weekend, opposed to the driver, who kicks his vehicle in daily use.

 

Reading from your original post, I feel with you, that you had your M8 broken once - that was unfortunate and shouldn't happen - no excuse.

 

From my experience with Leica RF cameras, there is the same reason, to be upset about a Leica RF getting out of tune, as to have a reason to be upset, that your apartments floor get's dirty, if not regularly cleaned ;-)

[WarriorJazz]

...From my experience with Leica RF cameras, there is the same reason, to be upset about a Leica RF getting out of tune, as to have a reason to be upset, that your apartments floor get's dirty, if not regularly cleaned ;-)

 

Hi Menos,

 

I'm not upset about that these camera's need calibration once in a while but about that is happens more than it should. I own my M6 for less than a year and it has to be calibrated for the third time. I have shot 3 decent rolls with this camera. The rest was out of focus. So this is probably more than just a maintenance calibration.

 

I can Imagine that your camera's need more calibration than normal users. I use my camera's on a daily basis and I love it! That is why I want and need a camera I can trust.

 

-Eelco

[menos I M6]

Hi Menos,

 

I'm not upset about that these camera's need calibration once in a while but about that is happens more than it should. I own my M6 for less than a year and it has to be calibrated for the third time. I have shot 3 decent rolls with this camera. The rest was out of focus. So this is probably more than just a maintenance calibration.

 

I can Imagine that your camera's need more calibration than normal users. I use my camera's on a daily basis and I love it! That is why I want and need a camera I can trust.

 

-Eelco

 

Eelco, so it indeed sounds, that there is the need of one good adjustment with your bodies (make sure, the lenses are ruled out as the issue!).

 

My most reliable workhorse is indeed my M8.2, which has seen heavy use over the last two years.

I had to calibrate it once, when I bought it, another time, just before heading off with planned shooting with a long, fast lens and another time, just a few weeks ago.

 

My M7 though has been a different animal, with it's vertical alignment knocked out several times within a year - I understand, that a user, who would send a camera in for such an alignment, loosing the camera for weeks to Solms each time would get frustrated.

 

I don't write about the EPSON R-D1 with it's much more sensitive RF setting, almost preventing reliable use of very fast lenses without regular checkups.

 

I hope, you get your stuff sorted out - I would not go back on free will to other cameras, then Leica Ms - love the handling, functionality, size, weight and quality.

[WarriorJazz]

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@Menos: I just dropped my camera off at Will van Manen.I hope he can do his magic on it. He said it might be a problem with a loose element... Will see in a few days.

Keep you guys posted.

 

I know, I love Leica's (when they work) and I can't see myself working with another camera. But it this keeps on going on I might have to change system. Doesn't make sens to keep investing if I can't get any decent output.