Summilux repair cost

[mrcmrc]

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Hi all,

I sent my 2010 Summilux 50 f/1.4 ASPH to Leica because when I turn the focus ring sometime I feel a little resistance as of some scratching. This defect is very faint but present. I received a repair estimate of €900 from Leica... I'm a bit baffled by the high amount of cost... someone has already experienced something like this?

 

I am also quite confused also by the defect of the lens, having always treated it with great care, without having ever exposed to wind or sand or rain. But what really leaves me saddened is the cost of the repair.

 

Many thanks,

- Marco.

[lct]

Yes i'll have to pay about €1K to fix a play in this same lens' focus ring, adjust focus accuracy and get a 6-bit coded bayonet for it. When in love...

[wda]

Depending on circumstances, I'd be inclined to live with slight resistance. It might just ease with regular use.

[Bill W]

Hopefully that cost is for a CLA.

[sblutter]

I'd get a quote from a qualified repair shop - Sherry Krauter & DAG have done wonderful work for me (in the USA)

[semi-ambivalent]

Hi all,

I sent my 2010 Summilux 50 f/1.4 ASPH to Leica because when I turn the focus ring sometime I feel a little resistance as of some scratching. This defect is very faint but present. I received a repair estimate of €900 from Leica... I'm a bit baffled by the high amount of cost... someone has already experienced something like this?

 

I am also quite confused also by the defect of the lens, having always treated it with great care, without having ever exposed to wind or sand or rain. But what really leaves me saddened is the cost of the repair.

 

Many thanks,

- Marco.

 

€900? For a unit built in 2010? Sounds like Leica is using Genuine Volkswagen parts...

 

s-a

[LocalHero1953]

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That is a bit more than I've just paid to have my APO Summicron 75 rebuilt in Wetzlar after throwing it onto the cobbles outside Parma Cathedral. It had a bit of resistance on the focus ring too: it wouldn't turn at all

Took them 6 weeks, but it looks and performs like new.

[Lieberman]

Hi all,

I sent my 2010 Summilux 50 f/1.4 ASPH to Leica because when I turn the focus ring sometime I feel a little resistance as of some scratching. This defect is very faint but present. I received a repair estimate of €900 from Leica... I'm a bit baffled by the high amount of cost... someone has already experienced something like this?

 

I am also quite confused also by the defect of the lens, having always treated it with great care, without having ever exposed to wind or sand or rain. But what really leaves me saddened is the cost of the repair.

 

Many thanks,

- Marco.

 

Do not send it in. Just compare brandnew lenses at your dealer. The resistance is due to the fact that there is an extra lens element mooving inside the lens-system to improve close distance focus. Just try the lens when it is removed from the camera. Is it any different?

Then try to focus without using only the dinger grip.

Arla

[Jeff S]

Your issue may be different, but Leica couldn't fix mine, for any price, yet DAG did…for $90, including full inspection.

 

You may want to get another opinion from reliable, independent repair techs in Europe, possibly from this list.

 

Jeff

[ph.]

Some time ago I had a sticking focus+zoom on my R 35-70/4 done . Inflation corrected cost was at a similar level.

 

If they keep to the same routines as when I had a camera modified in Wetzlar years ago, they disassembled it, cleaned, ran all test as for a new one, made adjustments and even replaced all screws they had undone so as to avoid deformation of threads. If so, they will bring your optic up to as-new standard.

 

Dismantling and reassembling a complex lens is not the same as having a skillful craftsman cleaning and lubricating a helix.

 

Roughly speaking, you will have paid for the disassembly, reassembly and measurements and then for the factory overheads; buildings, energy, telecoms, ancillary staff etc. 6 hours at 100E, 12 hours at 50E ?

 

In the past, Leitz did of course use to gouge those who bought jubilee models and did offer gilt bait for those with a higher money-to-photography-needs quotient, but their long term skimming off income to remunerate inhouse staff, or profit to shareholders does not seem excessive.

 

All in all, the combination of services offered and cost does not seem out of line -provided they keep to their former routines. My experience with their repair of my R- zoom is that it cost a packet, but it now works very well again.

 

p.

[semi-ambivalent]

Some time ago I had a sticking focus+zoom on my R 35-70/4 done . Inflation corrected cost was at a similar level.

 

If they keep to the same routines as when I had a camera modified in Wetzlar years ago, they disassembled it, cleaned, ran all test as for a new one, made adjustments and even replaced all screws they had undone so as to avoid deformation of threads. If so, they will bring your optic up to as-new standard.

 

Dismantling and reassembling a complex lens is not the same as having a skillful craftsman cleaning and lubricating a helix.

 

Roughly speaking, you will have paid for the disassembly, reassembly and measurements and then for the factory overheads; buildings, energy, telecoms, ancillary staff etc. 6 hours at 100E, 12 hours at 50E ?

 

In the past, Leitz did of course use to gouge those who bought jubilee models and did offer gilt bait for those with a higher money-to-photography-needs quotient, but their long term skimming off income to remunerate inhouse staff, or profit to shareholders does not seem excessive.

 

All in all, the combination of services offered and cost does not seem out of line -provided they keep to their former routines. My experience with their repair of my R- zoom is that it cost a packet, but it now works very well again.

 

p.

 

p,

 

I seriously doubt Leica would employ any tech who needed six hours to dis- and re-assemble any lens they make. Leica might very well still be "gouging", depending on the value one places on the brand vs. their actual physical product. Assuming it's not just new Summilux drag a two year old lens, well treated; don't you think someone at Leica should be saying 'This shouldn't be happening with one of our products of this age. A discount on the servicing is in order.'

 

If one looks at history the Leica Legend has always included legendary build quality and performance, not just legendary prices. Or did I miss something in their ad copy?

 

thanks,

Reed

[jaapv]

Hi all,

I sent my 2010 Summilux 50 f/1.4 ASPH to Leica because when I turn the focus ring sometime I feel a little resistance as of some scratching. This defect is very faint but present. I received a repair estimate of €900 from Leica... I'm a bit baffled by the high amount of cost... someone has already experienced something like this?

 

I am also quite confused also by the defect of the lens, having always treated it with great care, without having ever exposed to wind or sand or rain. But what really leaves me saddened is the cost of the repair.

 

Many thanks,

- Marco.

 

What is the repair specification?

Consider that this is a lens with floating elements, the focusing mechanism is complicated and made to extremely narrow tolerances. It cannot be a cheap part.

[menos I M6]

What is the repair specification?

Consider that this is a lens with floating elements, the focusing mechanism is complicated and made to extremely narrow tolerances. It cannot be a cheap part.

 

I paid about 1/3 of the quoted price on a 50 Summilux ASPH a few years ago.

The work was 6-bit coding, checking and adjusting the focus mount (slight play + the same issue with slight resistance at one point), shipping and handling from China - HK - Solms and back.

 

Go figure. I feel either Leica has found a serious damage with your lens or somebody is pulling legs.

 

If the latter, ship the lens to one of the reputable known expert repair people known on the forum.

[mrcmrc]

don't you think someone at Leica should be saying 'This shouldn't be happening with one of our products of this age. A discount on the servicing is in order.'

 

If one looks at history the Leica Legend has always included legendary build quality and performance, not just legendary prices. Or did I miss something in their ad copy?

 

This is exactly what I thought too.

If it was a "significant" damage, caused by a fall of the lens, or neglect, maybe I could understand. But I thought, at this point I guess I was wrong, it was not a complex and so expensive operation. I thought that the "Leica quality" is manifested not only in the rendering of images, but also in the construction of the lenses themselves; and maybe also in a certain type of assistance to customers, in this case demonstrated by a more moderate cost.