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Not sure where you are going with your comment in the last para but (i) it is true that Leica have been good with their service of the S-system (unlike the M system where the service times have been much longer) and (ii) I would expect nothing else from them, given the premium they charge over the Fuji system. Having said that, my Fuji 63mm lens also failed. I visited Fuji's European online service website, filled in the form, printed the sticker and sent the lens to them by post. It was back repaired in about 10 days. Similar performance to Leica, in my experience. In short, I can't complain about either company's service performance; I just wish they'd designed these expensive cameras and lenses with more of a "reliability in the field" mindset and didn't skimp on stupidities like plastic gears.

 

 

The problem with my Fujifilm is that I notice a slight issue with the AF and then I send it in for them check. The focus motor clearly makes a strange noise and acting abnormally. But they sent the lens back saying the lens is perform to spec. and the minute I put the lens on, it broke spectacularly.... It clearly is not a good sign. Hahahah.

 

Anyway, what I meant in the last paragraph is that the amount of complain and request for repair clearly is not sustainable to Leica anymore now that they are showing signs that they will find at any chance to get away with their obligation.

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That policy may not pass consumer protection laws in Australia. I’m pretty sure that if a product is known to contain a systematic defect such as this, the company is required by law to provide no cost remedy for the useful life of the product which in the case of an S lens might as well be for life... I don’t own any S products but as an Australian I would definitely not need to pay for the upgraded drive...

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I think this is one of the reasons Canon has such dominant market share. It is not the best sensor, ergonomics, or glass. But it is pretty respectable overall. But their service is pretty good.

 

That said, when they come out with a replacement product they discontinue support 5 years later too...

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I think this is one of the reasons Canon has such dominant market share. It is not the best sensor, ergonomics, or glass. But it is pretty respectable overall. But their service is pretty good.

 

That said, when they come out with a replacement product they discontinue support 5 years later too...

 

 

you won't want to keep a 5 year old digital camera... with the exception of Leica M or some of those specialized Digital Back (CCD Achromatic etc).... but that's a different story

Edited by xiaubauu2009
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you won't want to keep a 5 year old digital camera... with the exception of Leica M or some of those specialized Digital Back (CCD Achromatic etc).... but that's a different story

 

 

Good point. M8 is, as an example, an interesting - and very capable - camera. The sensor resolution is far from the top, but it's ir sensitivity is top. And the mechanical feeling is great. I hardly see that I will depart from that one in many, many years. Likely the same with S006, because of the sensor's resemblance to M9. But I will (likely) switch from SL to SL2 as soon as the latter enters the doors in my local shop...

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Good point. M8 is, as an example, an interesting - and very capable - camera. The sensor resolution is far from the top, but it's ir sensitivity is top. And the mechanical feeling is great. I hardly see that I will depart from that one in many, many years. Likely the same with S006, because of the sensor's resemblance to M9. But I will (likely) switch from SL to SL2 as soon as the latter enters the doors in my local shop...

 

 

Kodak sensor on the S006 series are pretty good. Hence the appeal of this older camera, and part of the reason why P45+ is soooo popular still. Superb color and render. If only the reliability is higher....

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  • 1 month later...
On 9/6/2018 at 5:27 AM, hoppyman said:

Georg that makes sense that the initial quote was a mistake and Leica did honour their stated policy for fail within five years then.. thanks for clarifying that for the group. If the cost for a preemptive service is the same as for a fail outside of warranty, then I see no reason for me to send my second lens before a possible future failure then..

After I read that others paid a lot less when sending in their lenses for a preemptive exchange of the AF.  So I contacted customer service (I was dealing with them on another matter regarding one of M lenses).  The price they quoted was indeed much less (less than half of the 700€ mentioned earlier.  So all 5 lenses where the AF has not been changed will go in. 

I have no explanation for the difference of the quote for the AF repair of my Summicron S 100 and the quote for the preemptive exchange of the AF. 

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  • 3 months later...

It is difficult to state how disappointed I am with Leica.  First sensor corrosion which had my S (006) out of my hands for over 8 months, now two of my lenses are suffering from motor failure, the 70mm and 120mm.

I truly wish I had remained with Hasselblad for my medium format digital!

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19 hours ago, Sailronin said:

It is difficult to state how disappointed I am with Leica.  First sensor corrosion which had my S (006) out of my hands for over 8 months, now two of my lenses are suffering from motor failure, the 70mm and 120mm.

I truly wish I had remained with Hasselblad for my medium format digital!

Same experience as you with regards to turnaround and failures. Made me get out of S altogether and on to Hasselblad. Their MF lenses break as well, but not at the same rate and with less time away for repair. Seems being outside Europe will exponentially add to service time for some reason. Best advice I got was to contact Leica HQ directly for a much more expedient repair. 

That being said I do not think you will find a better MF system for travel and outdoors than Leica S. Quality of lenses, speed, weatherproofing and especially battery-life exceeds Hasselblads' H and X system for such use.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Friday morning. I attach my Summicron-S 100 to my S007 to shoot a portrait. Ominous wheezing sound, no autofocus. Lens is kaput. OK, I reach for my trusty Summarit-S 120 Apo Makro, as backup. Same wheezing sound, AF motor kaput. Took my lenses to the shop around lunchtime. Waiting for cost estimate. This system is a joke - my AF motor failures number 3 and 4, respectively. I was toying with the idea of spending a stupid Eur22k for the S3. Maybe also  to sell the Fuji GFX system. With the fresh perspective - not unless Wetzlar repair all my S lenses preventatively, for free. What the f...k do they think, at this price level? Whoever designed the AF motor in these lenses, and sourced the components, should be kept on dry bread and water for the rest of their life. 

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4 hours ago, albireo_double said:

Friday morning. I attach my Summicron-S 100 to my S007 to shoot a portrait. Ominous wheezing sound, no autofocus. Lens is kaput. OK, I reach for my trusty Summarit-S 120 Apo Makro, as backup. Same wheezing sound, AF motor kaput. Took my lenses to the shop around lunchtime. Waiting for cost estimate. This system is a joke - my AF motor failures number 3 and 4, respectively. I was toying with the idea of spending a stupid Eur22k for the S3. Maybe also  to sell the Fuji GFX system. With the fresh perspective - not unless Wetzlar repair all my S lenses preventatively, for free. What the f...k do they think, at this price level? Whoever designed the AF motor in these lenses, and sourced the components, should be kept on dry bread and water for the rest of their life. 

Sorry, I am confused,  is it  your #3 and #4 failures on the same lens / lenses or you had this misfortune with different lenses and those lenses have not been treated by Leica?

Edited by ynp
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That is very bad indeed to have two lenses fail at the same time. You mention waiting for a cost estimate now. Are both lenses more than five years old then or one of them?

Were the first two fails with different lenses ? Or there would be warranty on the first repair if the same thing failed in the same lens?

 

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To clarify. The first and second fails were with a 70CS and with the 24. They were fixed by Leica for free, before the "permanent" solution was announced (not sure where that leaves me regarding another possible fail on those). As for the lenses that failed now, the 100S was purchased in late 2015, so I am hoping it would be fixed for free. The 120S is older; I think I bought it in 2012 with the S2.

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I hope you get this sorted out as quickly as possible and have no further trouble.. Where you have had an AF fail there should be 12 months warranty on that repair I think, but not the whole lens. It does not cover other different faults arising I found out. The central shutter failed on my 70CS six months after it was repaired for free for the AF fault (about 45 000 exposures at that point). I was charged for that repair. I am fortunate that the national agency here gets me a loan item immediately to use for the duration of any repair.
Your 100 should be free as within the 5 year period (providing the AF fail is the only fault) but your  seven year old 120 will not be I think.
My 120 is now 4 and a half years old (10 600 exposures) and has not failed. I need to consider what the preemptive fix would cost and possible repair cost if it does fail. As I now know that preemptive AF fault servicing apparently does not include a warranty on the whole lens, I am reluctant to spend the money. It's a bet either way I suppose.

Edited by hoppyman
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Yes, similar thoughts going through my head. The system is unsaleable for any reasonable price now and I have a lot of money invested in it. So I may as well use it. That however possibly means upgrading to the S3 at some point. And that upgrade only makes sense if all my lenses get the preemptive fix. I will speak to my S representative, if he is still there, to see what they can do for free. Hmm, and the two lenses that failed previously, did so more that two years ago. So not covered by any warranty for the repair.

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I completely understand your frustration, especially considering the story you have shared. The AF issue is clearly a disaster. So far, I haven't had issues getting the two lenses with AF issues (out of my three S lenses) repaired for free, even though I did not purchase them new. Actually, I would think there is still a chance Leica repairs both lenses free of charge. Talking to your rep sounds like a good idea. Just keep the blood pressure at reasonable levels 😁

 

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Yeah, it is all a bit frustrating. I have a 120 that I bought with the system in 2011 or 2012, and it has not failed. I never sent it in because I have not had the opportunity to do so, as it is important for my work (I use it for art reproduction and camera based scanning for clients as needed). I did not want to send it off and then wait months, so I have just been hoping that it will not fail, on the grounds that it is slower to focus than the other lenses. That said, I have only used the S006 and S2. If the S3 or S007 put more strain on it, that would be another thing to worry about...

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2 hours ago, Stuart Richardson said:

That said, I have only used the S006 and S2. If the S3 or S007 put more strain on it, that would be another thing to worry about...

One of my S lenses, the S100/2,0, failed on the SL with the SL-S adapter. The SL strains the lens too. 

I believe that I will have to send all my untreated lenses to Leica and pay for the repairs. My S- lenses are old. 

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