pharyngula Posted September 8, 2012 Share #1 Â Posted September 8, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I received a new chrome Summilux 50 ASPH just yesterday and have been very happily shooting with it in the last 24 hours. This morning, I simply lifted the camera off the table and was absolutely shocked to hear several parts of the lens fall off and bounce around - some cascading onto the floor! Â Now I'm confident that I'll have no trouble getting my dealer and Leica to deal with this when I contact them Monday but after inspecting what happened I think maybe my lens was missing something when assembled (i.e., like a thin retaining ring?). I'd like to know if someone could tell me if this is the case? Â Ok, what fell off of the camera and was successfully retrieved by me (I'm just glad it happened in my house and most of the pieces stayed on the table) is the following: Â - the 2-piece lens hood "assembly", i.e., heavy ring with filter threads that attaches to lens and the hood itself - a single tiny set screw that attaches hood ring assembly to lens proper (this is the main culprit I assume - not properly tightened down) - the black ring with the serial #, Leica name, etc...!! - two of the small plastic (looks like acrylic) posts that engages the channels in the sliding hood (the other one stayed in place but are loose) Â After closer inspection I note that all of the 3 plastic posts that engage (and lock with a twist) the sliding lens hood are loose in their holes - nothing to prevent them from falling out except a little friction. This seems as though it can't be right. Â I'm wondering if anyone with this lens can confirm whether there is a thin retaining ring at the base of the E46 threads that covers the three holes holding these little acrylic posts? Â Also, I was distressed that the thin black "info" ring fell off along with everything else - it made a scary ringing noise and for a second my heart stopped because I thought some of the glass had fallen out..!! Based on slight residue evident on the back of this ring it looks like it is supposed to be glued in place?? Â I was looking forward to a weekend of shooting with my new lux but I guess that will have to wait. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 8, 2012 Posted September 8, 2012 Hi pharyngula, Take a look here Distressing Problem with Summilux 50 ASPH Hood. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
pharyngula Posted September 8, 2012 Author Share #2  Posted September 8, 2012 I've been looking at the pieces and thinking about the design and may have figured it out.  It looks as though the black Leica and serial # info ring retains the plastic posts in place and that an additional "retaining ring" at bottom of filter threads would not be necessary.  The only question now is whether the black "Leica" ring should be glued in place?  Now that I've figured out how the whole thing fits together, I'm so tempted to fix myself (holding off on the gluing part of course!) so I can start shooting again!  Photo attached, which should help explain what I'm referring to... Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/187477-distressing-problem-with-summilux-50-asph-hood/?do=findComment&comment=2108035'>More sharing options...
kokoshawnuff Posted September 8, 2012 Share #3 Â Posted September 8, 2012 I know it's tempting to want use your new lens ASAP, but I'd send it to Leica via your dealer so they have a record of the issue just in case something worse happens next time. If you glue the ring and need something else fixed in the future it could void your warranty. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pharyngula Posted September 9, 2012 Author Share #4 Â Posted September 9, 2012 Good advice - I will do just that. I decided I certainly wouldn't try gluing the ring down. I'm pretty sure the glue (if that is indeed what the residue indicates) is just to tack it in place so that the "Leica" bit is centered at top. I noticed that there are marks in the side of the ring at 12 and 6 o'clock that must be there to align it before sliding the hood assembly over it. Â I was so impressed with the test images I took yesterday and I was really looking forward to shooting this weekend. But I will be patient..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kokoshawnuff Posted September 9, 2012 Share #5 Â Posted September 9, 2012 the one thing Im less than impressed with concerning my new lux 50 ASPH compared to my other Leica lenses is the action of the hood. The locking feature is great, but sliding the hood up and down is not really a consistent feel (sometimes there's resistance, sometimes its smooth). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pharyngula Posted September 9, 2012 Author Share #6 Â Posted September 9, 2012 ....exactly same with mine - at least before the hood fell off! It seems as though it needs to be perfectly aligned to pull out smoothly, slightest angle and it would hang-up a bit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlorianM Posted September 9, 2012 Share #7 Â Posted September 9, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) the one thing Im less than impressed with concerning my new lux 50 ASPH compared to my other Leica lenses is the action of the hood. The locking feature is great, but sliding the hood up and down is not really a consistent feel (sometimes there's resistance, sometimes its smooth). Â Its supposed to lock extended? Mine has to be manually kept from accidentally twisting back to the sliding position. I am considering taping it in the "extended then twisted" position so it wont keep collapsing on its own.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pharyngula Posted September 9, 2012 Author Share #8 Â Posted September 9, 2012 No, it doesn't "lock" per se. On mine, there was enough friction in the "twist" position to hold in place. But of course, I only used it about a day so I am not a good one to generalize on how well it might work in the long run. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kokoshawnuff Posted September 9, 2012 Share #9 Â Posted September 9, 2012 Its supposed to lock extended? Mine has to be manually kept from accidentally twisting back to the sliding position. I am considering taping it in the "extended then twisted" position so it wont keep collapsing on its own.... Â If you pull the hood out to its max then turn it clockwise it will lock in position. It's a very short clockwise turn so the possibility of it turning back and unlocking is possible. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted September 10, 2012 Share #10 Â Posted September 10, 2012 Its supposed to lock extended? Mine has to be manually kept from accidentally twisting back to the sliding position. I am considering taping it in the "extended then twisted" position so it wont keep collapsing on its own.... It does not do much anyway. You might consider using a third-party screwin hood. One thing: Never use silver filters. That will create flare which normally is minor on this lens Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted September 10, 2012 Share #11 Â Posted September 10, 2012 For flare control I find this hood pretty useless. I say that because in my experience it is very difficult to get the asph to flare without the hood extended. As a side-impact protector it may work a bit but still it's flimsy and not very comfort-inducing imho. A filter is the better option. Â In any event the hood is designed to lock when turned in the extended position, not by friction. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard Posted September 10, 2012 Share #12 Â Posted September 10, 2012 ...Also, I was distressed that the thin black "info" ring fell off along with everything else - it made a scary ringing noise and for a second my heart stopped because I thought some of the glass had fallen out..!! Based on slight residue evident on the back of this ring it looks like it is supposed to be glued in place?? Â Those rings are normally screwed into place, not glued. They may have used a tiny spot of glue to prevent self unscrewing. Well, that did not work with your lens! Â Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pharyngula Posted September 11, 2012 Author Share #13  Posted September 11, 2012 Those rings are normally screwed into place, not glued. They may have used a tiny spot of glue to prevent self unscrewing. Well, that did not work with your lens! Andy  Andy, I'm quite certain the ring can't be screwed on - there are no threads. It is a smooth, convex surface that seats onto the lens. The lens hood assembly holds it in place.  I have a call into Leica service in NJ. I'm hoping to talk with them tomorrow. I'll report back what I learn.  Doug Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pharyngula Posted September 12, 2012 Author Share #14 Â Posted September 12, 2012 Just to update, I did finally talk with Leica repair and my Summilux 50 is on its way back to Leica. They weren't happy to hear that the Leica serial # ring came off, let alone the hood assembly. They definitely wanted it back. Â Oh well, parting is such sweet sorrow - here is to hoping this won't take too long. Â Thanks all for the advice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted September 14, 2012 Share #15 Â Posted September 14, 2012 I sent my version of this lens back after I noticed the paint filling the engraving was poor and it came back with a new ring. Subsequently, the focussing became loose and they replaced the lens. I hope you get a good response from Leica. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pharyngula Posted September 21, 2012 Author Share #16 Â Posted September 21, 2012 I just checked with Leica about my lens and they are estimating a repair to be complete by the 5th of October - a little frustrating. Because the chrome lux is hard to come by, the decision was made to repair under warranty vs. replace (I presume they don't have any stock to replace it with?). Â The person I spoke with went through the list of what was to be done. I was very surprised to hear that aside from affixing the engraving ring and lens hood assembly, they were to adjust focus, clean between elements, even something about the iris diaphragm. It sounded to me like a standard lens CLA although I've never had a lens CLA'd by Leica yet so I'm not sure what would be involved. Â Does it make sense that they would do all of this? The lens was brand-spanking new and less than 24 hours old before the hood fell off.... In that time I confirmed that focus was spot on with my M9-P - I now hope it comes back that way...! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kokoshawnuff Posted September 21, 2012 Share #17 Â Posted September 21, 2012 Perhaps a CLA is just standard protocol with such a repair. I don't know what kind of information is actually relayed from the owner to the actual people diagnosing and repairing. They may have no idea that your lens has been used for less than 24 hours. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pharyngula Posted September 21, 2012 Author Share #18 Â Posted September 21, 2012 That was my guess as well, maybe just standard treatment for a returned lens? I did send along a letter with all the details about the incident and the fact it was brand new. They are aware of this. In fact, she implied today that an estimated return date of 10/5 reflected an expedited handling because it was new and they were unable to replace from stock. She did leave the door open for me to "appeal" if I felt replacement was the only satisfactory solution - I don't. Â I just want to get it back and start shooting in time for fall colors! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshua Lowe Posted January 6, 2015 Share #19 Â Posted January 6, 2015 I just encountered a similar problem with my brand new 50 lux. The set screw backed out, causing the hood to disengage from the lens. I got lucky in that I didn't lose the set screw or the little nylon posts. Somewhere I have a jeweler's screwdriver small enough to tighten that screw down, but it's so tiny that I don't have much faith that it won't happen again. I don't want to send the whole lens to NJ so I might just try and see how it goes. Â In my case the ring didn't come off the lens, either. Just the hood assembly... c'mon Leica. I know you believe in small and efficient but that set screw doesn't look very well up to the task. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfhrased Posted January 6, 2015 Share #20 Â Posted January 6, 2015 The whole hood assembly also came off my silver 50 1.4 and had to go back to Leica for repair. The folks at the camera store who sent it for me were somewhat bemused. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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