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Yet again another Leica disappointment


Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS

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Guest chipcarterdc

Not being a lens designer myself, I guess there may be reasons associated with the size of MF lenses why they still use DC motors.

https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2016/04/a-look-at-electromagnetic-focusing/

I don't know about all that. I've owned and used a wide variety of AF medium formal cameras over the years (Rollei, Contax, Mamiya, now Phase One and Leica S), and I've never heard of this many problems with any of those other systems. Heck, I've got a bag full of Contax AF lenses that must be close to 20 years old now, and I've never had a problem with a single one of them (and I still use them regularly on my Leica S via adapter).

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Guest chipcarterdc

To be clearer, what I meant is that if big glass requires a certain kind of AF motor, and if that kind of AF motor is prone to fail, logic would dictate that we'd expect to see similar failure rates across comparable lenses using that kind of motor. Ergo, there must be some other explanation.

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To be clearer, what I meant is that if big glass requires a certain kind of AF motor, and if that kind of AF motor is prone to fail, logic would dictate that we'd expect to see similar failure rates across comparable lenses using that kind of motor. Ergo, there must be some other explanation.

I agree - my musings were on why Leica had chosen a rotating motor rather than one of the modern linear AF drive systems, which seem to be quiet and quick. The variant of DC rotating motor they use has a plastic cog - which a linear drive would omit entirely, plastic or metal. And I wondered if linear drives lack the power, yet, to shift the larger glass in a large S lens. But I'm just speculating.

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Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS

I agree - my musings were on why Leica had chosen a rotating motor rather than one of the modern linear AF drive systems, which seem to be quiet and quick. The variant of DC rotating motor they use has a plastic cog - which a linear drive would omit entirely, plastic or metal. And I wondered if linear drives lack the power, yet, to shift the larger glass in a large S lens. But I'm just speculating.

 

I'm going to dismantle my 30mm lens later this morning and see what the problem is myself.................hell it will save time for the Leica engineers to fix it and put it back together as it will already be in pieces.................

Pictures to follow

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I'm going to dismantle my 30mm lens later this morning and see what the problem is myself.................hell it will save time for the Leica engineers to fix it and put it back together as it will already be in pieces.................

Pictures to follow

Hail to the chief

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I sold my H4D40 today for a very nice price and I will probably jump into the 006 (probably the last CCD I will ever be able to buy). I tried the S with my HC lenses and they work perfectly. Some of them like the HC 50mm II are IMHO even better than the Leica equivalent.

Did you have a chance to compare HC 50mm f3.5 and Leica 45mm f2.8 side by side? Would love to hear your opinion about both lenses. 

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 I've got a bag full of Contax AF lenses that must be close to 20 years old now, and I've never had a problem with a single one of them (and I still use them regularly on my Leica S via adapter).

Chip, that is good news to me. When I got my S 006 last November I bought the Summarit 70mm which has worked flawlessly. Never being a one-lens man, I looked longingly at the 120mm and 35mm from Leica but blanched at the prices of admission. My reading on this forum led me to the Contax equivalents which I have been using with great joy with the Leica adapter I got from Leica Miami. The certified one I bought at about 60% off never functioned so I returned it and Leica NJ sent me a brand new one.

Since then, I have wondered what I might be missing without having native glass on my S. Several times I have passed on some extraordinary deals on Ebay for mint S lenses  - most recently the 35mm which could be had for $2750. The 120mm goes for in the $3k range. Certainly, the rarer lenses like the 100mm and 45mm go for more, but still a fraction of their retail price. I can not hep but wonder if the extraordinarily depressed state of the S (006) body and lens market is a reflection of a potential buying public that has dismissed this system for its genetic flaws. As for me, I think I will continue to shoot the wonderful Contax glass with a sense of confidence Leica has not yet earned.

David

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I'm going to dismantle my 30mm lens later this morning and see what the problem is myself.................hell it will save time for the Leica engineers to fix it and put it back together as it will already be in pieces.................

Pictures to follow

 

This might offer you some tips...  https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2016/02/a-peak-inside-the-leica-vario-elmarit-sl-24-90mm-f2-8-4-asph/

 

Jeff

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Georges,  In your post #60, your collection of R lenses was like mine.  I too was very disappointed in Leica cancelling the R system.  I know it caught Leica dealers off guard too.  Anyways, as I mentioned before, I have been in and out of medium format starting with the Contax 645 with a P45 back and Zeiss lenses, then went to the various S cameras etc.  I tried and compared the S lenses to the Hassy lenses when the S adapter first came out.  IMO, the difference in the quality of the image from the S system lenses to the Hassy lenses on a S2, S006 etc is large to me, so I stayed with the S lenses.  I know there are many people who like the results of the Contax/Zeiss and Hassy lenses on the S system.  To me, it wasn't good enough.  Of course everyone has their own way of doing their photography.  Despite the defective AF gear in the lenses that you may recall were designed 7-8 years ago from scratch, the technology in AF motors has certainly evolved.  I would think over time, if Leica were to update the S lenses, they would update the AF motor.  But that isn't going to happen IMO any time soon.  The S lenses are all superb, from 24mm to 180mm.  If you decide to replace or purchase other S lenses, I highly suggest you look into getting the Leica "Q" lens from a dealer or say, Popflash as they are discounted Leica refurbished lenses.  Sometimes on eBay, you can get a good deal from a highly rated dealer.  I never buy from owners or people who have dodgy track records.  At least with eBay/PayPal you have recourse and with many of the reputable dealers who have eBay stores.  Even KEH and B&H Used have return/warranties.  Plus with Leica, if a S lens AF motor ever dies regardless of age or ownership, it will be replaced free of charge.  You have lots of options.  Last, I have observed one might be far better to minimize exposure on this forum and spend more time out shooting and doing what you love to do...that being taking photographs and capturing that moment in time...because life is short.  r/ Mark  

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I'm going to dismantle my 30mm lens later this morning and see what the problem is myself.................hell it will save time for the Leica engineers to fix it and put it back together as it will already be in pieces.................

Pictures to follow

 

And probably void the terms of your warranty in the process, regardless of the lens already being faulty!

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Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS

That's right, Neil. If you open it up, it's only sales value will be as an ashtray or doorstop. That "goodwill" will turn to "badwon't".

Eion

You know being an old roughneck the only spammers in my tool bag was a 36 and a few flogging spanners so decided against it.

Good new on my current lens. I got a call from Sven Kupfer today from Leica and after talking with him for a good 20 minutes Leica have informed me that my 120 lens will be on its way to KL tonight and that as soon as my 30mm lens arrives in there factory they will repair and send it back out the next day........... I'm back loving Leica again

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Eion

You know being an old roughneck the only spammers in my tool bag was a 36 and a few flogging spanners so decided against it.

Good new on my current lens. I got a call from Sven Kupfer today from Leica and after talking with him for a good 20 minutes Leica have informed me that my 120 lens will be on its way to KL tonight and that as soon as my 30mm lens arrives in there factory they will repair and send it back out the next day........... I'm back loving Leica again

 

Now we know how to get a call from Leica--publicly threaten to mutilate one of its babies.

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Eion

You know being an old roughneck the only spammers in my tool bag was a 36 and a few flogging spanners so decided against it.

Good new on my current lens. I got a call from Sven Kupfer today from Leica and after talking with him for a good 20 minutes Leica have informed me that my 120 lens will be on its way to KL tonight and that as soon as my 30mm lens arrives in there factory they will repair and send it back out the next day........... I'm back loving Leica again

Sorry to hear that - I was looking forward to the photos!

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Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS

Sorry to hear that - I was looking forward to the photos!

 

Theres the little b@stard

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!

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Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS

And this is what brings us back for more punishment:

 

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!

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Guest chipcarterdc

There are several little bastards in that photo... Is the culprit the white plastic piece-of-crap-looking gear at roughly the 1 o'clock position?

 

 

Theres the little b@stard

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