Severe flare from 135 APO-Telyt newly 6-bit coded

[MarkP]

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So my 3.4/135 APO-Telyt came back nicely 6-bit coded. All my cameras M9, Monochrom, M240 recognise the lens.

 

So I went out to use it today - FLARE :eek:

Worse than my fogged 1948 Summitar.

 

This afternoon I took it out to the local park and found the lens to be flaring on every photograph to the point where the lens is unusable (see below). This lens has NEVER flared on me before, even shooting into the sun. The sun was at 90° to the lens in the first photo with the hood extended (no I was not shooting into the sun although this is how it looks), and directly behind me in the second.

 

The lens elements were clean but I noticed that the inside of the new bayonet mount is bright polished steel whilst the original was matte black. Is this how the inside of new 6-bit coded lens mounts should be? Do they come with baffles or with paint (I mean factory finish rather than a crappy hand-painted job)? As the lens is now shipping 6-bit coded can the original part be ordered as a spare by the Leica repair centre? Has anyone else had this problem? Is there something else causing this?

 

Needless to say the lens will be on it's way back tomorrow. They are very helpful so I have no doubt it will be sorted out but what is the best option I should ask for (not having had a lens 6-bit coded before)?

 

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[mmradman]

Maybe Leica started buying buying replacement flanges via eBay.

[EricC]

Is this how the inside of new 6-bit coded lens mounts should be? Do they come with baffles or with paint (I mean factory finish rather than a crappy hand-painted job)?

 

I Have just checked my 50 F1 Noctilux which i had coded earlier this year, and the inside of the new coded mount is painted matt black as are all of my other coded lenses.

[TomB_tx]

Yes - such a shiny surface inside the rear of a lens can cause that type of flare. I had a 90 Elmar that lost and internal baffle, and the rear inner surface was black - but shiny.

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m-lenses/300068-central-flare-90-elmar-solved.html

[Ulrik]

Quality management in Leica's service department requires improvement in my experience. This is far from being acceptable.

Ulrik

[k-hawinkler]

Mark,

 

Very disappointing. I hope your lens gets correctly repaired very soon.

I wonder what's the root cause for the apparent lack of QA?

[mmradman]

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Mark,

 

Very disappointing. I hope your lens gets correctly repaired very soon.

I wonder what's the root cause for the apparent lack of QA?

 

As long as Leica doesn't feel the financial pain due to remedial repairs it is not likely to see improvement in QC department. It is usually profit erosion that forces businesses to look seriously into cost control and improved processes. Other explanation QC section is overstretched and in desperate need of numbers/training boost.

 

I bet they charge flange replacement with solid profit margin, actual cost of replacement flange and associated labour is minuscule, it cost me about 10-15 pounds to get a good 6 bit flange from well regarded eBay dealer. A bit of cleaning doesn't add much to the cost, few minutes polish with lint free cloth.

[MarkP]

Thanks for all of all your comments.

 

For everyone who has had 6-bit coding done by Leica, is the inside of the new mount always blackened/baffled or is this only done sometimes?

[FlashGordonPhotography]

Not surprised that this came out of Leica Australia. Unfortunately I am supposed to be taking mine in for a mount update next week. Now you have me worried.....

 

Gordon

[MarkP]

Not surprised that this came out of Leica Australia. Unfortunately I am supposed to be taking mine in for a mount update next week. Now you have me worried.....

 

Gordon

 

Hi Gordon,

 

I've just sent you a pm about this.

 

Regards,

Mark

[Bill W]

My 135 APO-Telyt came coded from the beginning. The flange is black mat painted. Why would Leica send out replacements that were not?

[MarkP]

My 135 APO-Telyt came coded from the beginning. The flange is black mat painted. Why would Leica send out replacements that were not?

 

Exactly what I'll be asking them today!

[mmradman]

Following earlier post I checked my M lenses and they are all 6 bit coded (except one) and flanges are blackened on the inside and I didn't notice any flaring as described in OP.

 

Now the exception; my first M lens is Elmar M 50mm which is uncoded but also flange is bare shiny chrome on the inside. This is the only lens I noticed to flare on M9 and now I think I understand why.

 

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Unless it is not flare but overexposure, there was no direct sunshine only very bright tropical daylight.

[250swb]

The flange is black mat painted. Why would Leica send out replacements that were not?

 

It's because they are caught in a loop of massive ironic proportions. On the one hand they are so self satisfied with customer satisfaction for their general 'customer service' that they fail to remember that people would rather problems not occur in the first place. Their surveys and marketers are not asking the right questions, so they corporately think that putting things right, and getting the kudos for it, is better than just doing it right in the first place.

 

Steve

[MarkP]

Well I was just contacted by Camera Clinic with full explanations and apologies.

 

The problem is indeed due to the unpainted inside of the new lens mount.

 

All Leica lens mount blanks come uncoded and unpainted. Apparently longer lenses don't always need the inside of the mount painted (as opposed to the wider lenses which do) but they failed to appreciate that the original from the 3.4/135 APO-Telyt was indeed painted.

 

The paint (visible- & UV-light absorbing) is apparently applied and then baked on the inside of the mount to get a smooth and permanent finish.

 

Turnaround will be expedited so I expect to have the lens delivered to my office next week. They will also send my E49 MATE back for the moment as they are still awaiting on two parts from Germany - I gather that parts supply is a perennial problem.

 

Accepting that the problem happened in the first place, they have been very pleasant to deal with and keen to make good ASAP.

 

[MarkP]

Update: Better still, they are sending the MATE to Germany to be done urgently because of the prolonged delays to date

[250swb]

Two smiley's, it's like somebody making friends with their dog again after it's been naughty.

 

'Oh don't look at me like that, who's a good boy then, oh yes he is, oh yes he is, who's got a waggy tail then, yes he's a good boy...'

 

The warm feeling you get is like making up with Leica after they have been naughty, but that warm feeling only came from them pissing up your leg in the first place.

 

 

Steve

[MarkP]

but that warm feeling only came from them pissing up your leg in the first place.

 

 

Steve

 

well it's either that or

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, and I have enough of a headache already.

 

 

ps: 2nd smiley removed. I was just so overcome with happiness

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[algrove]

Thanks for all of all your comments.

 

For everyone who has had 6-bit coding done by Leica, is the inside of the new mount always blackened/baffled or is this only done sometimes?

 

Mark

Mine came back blackened.

[MarkP]

As it should be. Mine should be back blackened in the next few days.