erl Posted June 19, 2012 Share #1 Â Posted June 19, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) It has just been reported to me that Leica will not 6-bit code any lenses sent to them for that service! This information has come from the Australian official importer for Leica. Â I have recently sent a lens to be returned to Germany for repair to a damaged lens mount and it was returned with the message, "Germany is no longer doing 6-bit coding of any lens." So what the hell does one do to get a lens repaired. This lens is already 6-bit coded, it just needs (I am told) a replacement lens mount. I am very displeased with the service that is reaching me. At this stage I have left messages at two local Leica authorities and have, so far, no joy. Â Does anyone have a direct contact, probably email, with a real service person in Germany? A phone contact would do if speaking English (my only language) is an option. Â I will need this lens for a special job in late August and time is running out as 'normal' turnaround between Australia and Germany seems to run at 6-8+ weeks through official channels. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 19, 2012 Posted June 19, 2012 Hi erl, Take a look here Has Leica stopped 6 bit coding of lenses?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Guest Posted June 19, 2012 Share #2 Â Posted June 19, 2012 Leica Camera AG - Service - M lens coding Leica-Customer-Care still offers the 6 bit coding on their website. "Many of the lenses made from 1963 onwards can be converted. A list of such models is available in the PDF document "M Lens Coding List". Please ask either your authorised Leica dealer or Customer Care in Solms to perform the update. The latter will be happy to inform you on this subject. Customer Care is available at the phone number +49 (0)6442 208-189." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted June 19, 2012 Share #3 Â Posted June 19, 2012 It has just been reported to me that Leica will not 6-bit code any lenses sent to them for that service! This information has come from the Australian official importer for Leica. Â Â Are they saying that ALL old lenses that might ever need coding, have already been coded? I doubt it. Â ( I know for a fact that there's one on my shelf here that isn't coded, but could be in the future, maybe ) Â I think that something has been lost in translation, here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted June 19, 2012 Share #4 Â Posted June 19, 2012 I spoke to Leica AG yesterday regarding my 35 Lux AA 11873, they cannot code because of the mount but certainly didn't say they had stopped coding older lenses Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted June 19, 2012 Author Share #5 Â Posted June 19, 2012 Regrettably, I suspect the problem is the Australian end. Adeal have passed on a message to me stating what said in my OP. It would appear they do not understand the actual requirment for my lens, or understand what Solms will/can do! Right now, I am staring down the barrel of buying a new 50mm Lux, just to cover my imminent future assignment. Not happy. Still waiting for the local importer to return my call. I know I'm sounding impatient, but all I want immediately is information. I know about the delay(s) involved in expediting the work, if it will be done. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted June 19, 2012 Share #6 Â Posted June 19, 2012 If Leica are as cunning as they usually are they have stopped 6 bit coding to make way for the eight bit coding and the AF mount for the M10. You thought six bit was an expensive, just wait 'til you send you lenses in to have a motor strapped on. Â Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted June 19, 2012 Share #7 Â Posted June 19, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Regrettably, I suspect the problem is the Australian end. Adeal have passed on a message to me stating what said in my OP. It would appear they do not understand the actual requirment for my lens, or understand what Solms will/can do! Right now, I am staring down the barrel of buying a new 50mm Lux, just to cover my imminent future assignment. Not happy. Still waiting for the local importer to return my call. I know I'm sounding impatient, but all I want immediately is information. I know about the delay(s) involved in expediting the work, if it will be done. Â Erl - If you could get it to Malcolm Taylor via courier, he ought to be able to do it to his usual excellent standard as an urgent job. He's a very nice guy - doesn't use email but will respond to a phone call. His details are on the L-camera blog at: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-news/leica-repair-specialists/ Â If I can help, PM me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevelap Posted June 19, 2012 Share #8 Â Posted June 19, 2012 Erl, I understand your angst and hope all is soon sorted to your satisfaction. Â As an aside though, it might have been better to title the thread as "Has Leica stopped 6-bit coding of lenses?" The current title reads as a definitive statement and is no doubt winging it's way around the web as a truth written on a tablet of stone and sent down from on high (well, Solms at least ). Â Come to think of it, it's probably already too late;). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 19, 2012 Share #9 Â Posted June 19, 2012 I just came off the phone with Solms. Bollocks by Adeal.. Leica will sort the miscommunication out. Â Btw. Erl, everybody you may get on the phone in Solms speaks passable to impeccable English. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted June 19, 2012 Author Share #10  Posted June 19, 2012 Erl, I understand your angst and hope all is soon sorted to your satisfaction. As an aside though, it might have been better to title the thread as "Has Leica stopped 6-bit coding of lenses?" The current title reads as a definitive statement and is no doubt winging it's way around the web as a truth written on a tablet of stone and sent down from on high (well, Solms at least ).  Come to think of it, it's probably already too late;).  Steve, I take your point about the title, but it has now been changed by Jaap (I suspect). The fact is, I only quoted what was definitively told to me by our (Oz) official Leica repairer. I didn't believe it when told, but what does one do in these circumstances?  I am expecting some real action in the morning over here. it is a pity it takes this sort of situation to precipitate results. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted June 19, 2012 Share #11  Posted June 19, 2012 I just came off the phone with Solms. Bollocks by Adeal.. Leica will sort the miscommunication out. Btw. Erl, everybody you may get on the phone in Solms speaks passable to impeccable English.  Besides, he said the lens was already 6-bit coded. Even if Leica had stopped 6-bit coding uncoded lenses it wouldn't have affected this one.  And most any uncoded lens can be aftermarket coded by anyone with the appropriate technical know-how and equipment, from a machinist to anyone with a Dreml and a steady hand. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaques Posted June 19, 2012 Share #12 Â Posted June 19, 2012 hey Erl- in a pinch I can lend you a lux- chrome from the `1960's no new fangled aspherical nonsense for me... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpiritShooter Posted June 19, 2012 Share #13 Â Posted June 19, 2012 I have two lenses at Leica USA in New Jersey being coded as I type this. Didn't get anything from them saying anything to the contrary. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpiritShooter Posted June 19, 2012 Share #14 Â Posted June 19, 2012 I have two lenses at Leica USA in New Jersey being coded as I type this. Didn't get anything from them saying anything to the contrary. Â In fact, I was noticed by Leica that they completed the 6 Bit Coding and the lenses are being sent back to me after just 3 days. Â Excellent service by Leica! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulus Posted June 19, 2012 Share #15  Posted June 19, 2012 In fact, I was noticed by Leica that they completed the 6 Bit Coding and the lenses are being sent back to me after just 3 days. Excellent service by Leica!  I sent in a lens for glass replacement and coding three weeks ago. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted June 20, 2012 Share #16 Â Posted June 20, 2012 I sent in a lens for glass replacement and coding three weeks ago. Â If by "glass replacement" you mean replacing an old lens element with a new one, that sounds VERY expensive to me. Also I did not even know they would and/or could do that to used lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 20, 2012 Share #17 Â Posted June 20, 2012 They can do that on current models, but you are right, we are talking serious money here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted June 20, 2012 Author Share #18 Â Posted June 20, 2012 Update on OP problem: Currently, the official importer and repairer are meeting tomorrow in an effort to expedite my repair problem. It has been established that I did not request 6-bit coding and that a replacement rear lens mount ring is required, which will be 6-bit anyway. It has also been established that a 'new' member of staff is responsible for misdirecting my lens and misquoting Leica as 'ceasing 6-bit coding'. Go figure. Â Hopefully tomorrow will bring better news for me after the conference. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 20, 2012 Share #19 Â Posted June 20, 2012 Sheesh... Do they need a board meeting to have a coffee break?. In any company I know of the general manager would just hit the table with his fist and shout - now go to it and make the customer happy - and everybody would jump... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest malland Posted June 20, 2012 Share #20  Posted June 20, 2012 Jaap, I guess you haven't been to Oz. Last year I sent to a two-day meeting in Brisbane (9-hours flight from Bangkok) and a colleague came from Manina (12-hours via Singapore). At 4:30 on the second day, with the work of the meeting not finished, the project manager of the Australian firm in question announced that he had to go home or "he's get it from his wife". Lesson: stay away from Australian engineering firms, or at least the one in question..  —Mitch/Beijing Scratching the Surface Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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