Arrrrggghhhh!!!!

[FlashGordonPhotography]

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I'm just venting. But really??

 

My second M9 was returned from repair after 41/2 months 10 days ago. And once again the rangefinder is out, probably. I have two Leica lenses. A 135 APO telyt and a 90mm Summarit. Neither will hit infinity. Both are perfect close in (up to about 15-20 meters). But off by a mile further out. What's worse is that my Voigtlanders (3) are all hitting infinity.

 

So either the rangefinder is out or the two Leica lenses I've been fighting with are out or they're all out. All I know is something's out besides me going out of my mind.

 

And to add insult to injury my other M9 has developed a massive shift in the vertical calibration in the last five days. Two days out of warranty (won't be an issue as the camera has also been away for three months for a new sensor). So I've got exactly no M9's that work properly. In all I've had a camera in service for nearly 7 months in the last two and a half years.

 

I know they're precision instruments. I know rangefinders are delicate. I know hand assembled stuff will be quirky. Hell, I think the M9's weaknesses are features. But seriously? Thankfully everything is still in warranty. But my cameras are also my income, so I'll have to put contingency plans in place to cover another trip away. These cameras have more frequent flyer points than I do. It looks like my Fujis/Olympus are going to have to earn their keep, again.

 

I love my M9's but sometimes I just want to set a bonfire and see the melting point of brass.

 

Gordon

[erl]

Gordon, I feel your pain. Been there, done that.

 

Now for your way out.

 

If photography is your livelyhood you need to get prompt confirmation of exactly which elements are at fault. Source another M body and check those lenses. Better still, find a reliable local technician who can put the finger on the nature of the problem. Not until then can you reliably set in motion the repair/adjustment plan. Be decisive, discover the nature of the errors and immediately commission the fix. If it involves returns to Solms, realistically look at the turnaround time and make alternative camera arrangements.

[MarkP]

I'd be really pissed off too!

[platypus]

Obviously quite enough to drive anyone around the twist.

Just wondering.....did your recently "returned from repair" M9 go to Solms, or merely to the mob in Melbourne?

[FlashGordonPhotography]

Obviously quite enough to drive anyone around the twist.

Just wondering.....did your recently "returned from repair" M9 go to Solms, or merely to the mob in Melbourne?

 

Solms. New shutter. New sensor. New LCD assembly. That's a whole new camera considering the fault was the shutter jumped the track. I dropped it off in early June. It actually went down in March but family issues got in the way, so I've been without it for 7 months.

 

I'm really hoping that it's the lenses that are out. First, it would explain the frustrations I've had with those lenses. Second, I can use my CV's while the lenses are sorted. The 135 is being coded anyway. The 12mm and 50 are the money lenses. The 12 is very popular with the real estate agents I shoot for. Right now the 12, 21, 50 and 75 CV lenses are perfect on the M9 that just came back. If the Leica lenses are out I can continue as is. If the lenses are good it means the body and 4 CV lenses are all out. That's what I really don't need.

 

I'm going to the Foto Riesel first thing tomorrow. It's not their fault so I'll behave appropriately but I'm hoping to be able to put my lenses on a shop body and use a shop lens on my recently returned body. That way I think I can exactly work out what needs to go away. If it's the Leica lenses, fine. I have alternatives for those. And their under warranty still. If it's the body then I'll get half done while I use the returned body and CV lenses and then swap when the M9 with the dodgy rangefinder comes back. At least they can make sure that body and the Leica lenses are absolutely perfect. If the whole set is buggered it'll be a huge pain. I'll get away with my other gear but I have a system using the M9 and 12mm/21mm and I don't need the extra effort to do the same job using something else.

 

My next wedding is in two weeks, so I may have everything back if it's the Leica lenses. If not I have a contingency. Not a Leica but the clients will never know.

 

I wish it wasn't so complicated.

 

Gordon

[erl]

Obviously quite enough to drive anyone around the twist.

Just wondering.....did your recently "returned from repair" M9 go to Solms, or merely to the mob in Melbourne?

Just for reference Dee, "the mob in Melbourne" do a far more efficient and thorough job than Solms. I have a number of experiences whereby the Solms mistakes have been corrected promptly and efficiently by the "mob in Melbourne". Just sayin''.

[platypus]

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Gordon, thanks for the lengthy explanation. When is life not more complicated than one would wish it to be? I think I understand what you are going through, your business sounds very much like the one we (husband and me) had in Sydney years ago, weddings, portraits and anything else that needed shooting, plus a lab that processed and printed everything, including E6, for other photographers as well as our our own work. That was complicated! I recall running a very fine line that did not allow for any gear or machine breakdowns, although something usually did. But take heart, you will sort it out and come out on top in the long run. Best of luck!!

 

erl, I have been fortunate in that I have never had to send anything back to Germany in over 30 years of owning Leica cameras and lenses. I did have the bad luck to score one of the early defective R4s, can't even remember what exactly was wrong with those bodies now, anyway it was immediately replaced with a new R4a with, no argument.

Regarding the Camera Exchange, I have found them excellent and will be sending my MM and APO 50 to them (once Xmas etc., is over with) for a sensor clean and camera/lens calibration. When I read Gordon's post I was in mildly terrified that they had suddenly dropped the ball, as there has obviously been some ball dropping involved in his saga....hence my question. It was in no way meant to tarnish their reputations or to cast aspersions on what seems to be a miraculously good and conscientious "mob" ...excuse the slang.

[erl]

Slight confusion I suspect Dee.

 

It seems you are talking about Camera Exchange.

I was talking about Camera Clinic, the authorized Leica repairer in Australia.

 

I agree Camera Exchange, when I last dealt with them, was good.

camera Clinic in Collingwood, Melbourne are exceptional when it comes to caring about your gear and are authorized and expert at most Leica service/repairs. They are worth talking to at least about any Leica repair. If your gear must return to Solms, Expedite it by FedEx'íng direct. You will save HEAPS of time and the cost is not exorbitant. It will return to you the same way, paid by Leica.

[FlashGordonPhotography]

Good news. Sort of. It's the lenses. The longest lens they had on the shelf, a 75mm Summarit was spot on at infinity with the camera recently returned and my 135 and 90 were out on an M8 they had for sale. So it's the lenses. So along with the faulty M9 the lenses are on their way to Melbourne.

 

So it looks like the camera I have left is OK as are my CV lenses. Of course that also means that every Leica product I have ever bought new has had a fault that required service. It also means that whoever tested my 135 before it left the factory, didn't.

 

I had a note added to the repair docket that the lenses and body were to be thoroughly checked together before they return and I expect nothing less than a perfect match between them (although they're calibrated to a standard I want to make sure the tolerances are very tight) or that there will be fireworks from me. I think since I have spent nearly half of my time as a digital M owner without at least one camera or lens that that is the least they can do.

 

But I'm actually very happy as it means i have an end in sight to the frustrations I've had with those two lenses.

 

Gordon

[erl]

Pleased to here the end is in sight Gordon.

 

Just a curious note about gear that is shipped. I have just returned from a European trip. Leaving home, all my gear was spot on! Arriving in Europe, I found my 28/2.8 lens had a loose (rotating) front barrel. The bit the lens hood attaches to. My only explanation is that aircraft vibration upset it! A long shot but I can think of nothing else. My point is, that your gear may have left the factory in serviceable condition and that shipping, albeit well packed, may have upset something.

 

Just floating a kite here, nothing proven.

[platypus]

Slight confusion I suspect Dee.

 

It seems you are talking about Camera Exchange.

I was talking about Camera Clinic, the authorized Leica repairer in Australia.

 

Yep...sorry erl, just a typo. I was referring to the Camera Clinic of course!

[charlesphoto99]

Pleased to here the end is in sight Gordon.

 

Just a curious note about gear that is shipped. I have just returned from a European trip. Leaving home, all my gear was spot on! Arriving in Europe, I found my 28/2.8 lens had a loose (rotating) front barrel. The bit the lens hood attaches to. My only explanation is that aircraft vibration upset it! A long shot but I can think of nothing else. My point is, that your gear may have left the factory in serviceable condition and that shipping, albeit well packed, may have upset something.

 

Just floating a kite here, nothing proven.

 

Loose front barrels are quite common on Leica lenses. I've pretty much just given up and live with it on my 28 cron and 50 pre-asph Lux. Yes, it can be repaired but no guarantee it won't go out again. My 28 cron went off to Leica twice - once for a drop repair and another time for coding (after eight weeks away they coded it as a 24mm but that's another story). After each time it loosened up after a few days of use. Quite common with the cron I guess. Works great otherwise.