Goodbye Leica SL

[AlexP]

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It was a fun adventure with the SL. I was fortunate enough to own/use all the SL lenses (loved 24-90 and 90-280, HATED the 50) all the Canon/Sigma lenses and the TL lenses. I love the design, the color the SL produces. But after seeing all the issue dealing with Leica support, i don't think i have the patient to wait for the turn around time when i have to send in the equipment for service.

 

I still keep the master list of Novoflex SL/EOS lenses tested here:

 

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1476135/0#13926323

 

Thank you for all the hospitality you guy have for me when i fist join this community. Time to move on to a new adventure.

 

 

btw, i still keep the Q. So i'm still be hanging around.

[thighslapper]

It was a fun adventure with the SL. I was fortunate enough to own/use all the SL lenses (loved 24-90 and 90-280, HATED the 50) all the Canon/Sigma lenses and the TL lenses. I love the design, the color the SL produces. But after seeing all the issue dealing with Leica support, i don't think i have the patient to wait for the turn around time when i have to send in the equipment for service.

 

 

 

I find that hard to believe as a reason for dumping the SL ........ reliability to date has been excellent and of course no-one posts about problems that were solved with minimal fuss.

 

I feel you are in denial and fail to appreciate you are suffering from chronic GAS ........ 

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[ramarren]

To quote Douglas Adams, "So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish!" 

 

I'm not entirely sure why you're selling the SL, AlexP, but whatever makes you happy and best able to enjoy yourself with your cameras is all that matters. 

[Joshua Lowe]

You dumped the SL for problems you didn't have? Okay.

[LD_50]

While I have read all the negativity about Leica's customer service, I've never had to utilize it (outside of visits to the Leica store in Los Angeles) so I certainly wouldn't sell off my gear for non-existent problems.

 

If I were shooting professionally and relied upon the gear for income, I would have a backup at all times and would choose a brand that offers high quality professional support and readily available rentals.

Edited June 16, 2017 by LD_50

[rafikiphoto]

I think the lure of the GFX may have been too great! 

[jaapv]

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While I have read all the negativity about Leica's customer service, I've never had to utilize it (outside of visits to the Leica store in Los Angeles) so I certainly wouldn't sell off my gear for non-existent problems.

 

If I were shooting professionally and relied upon the gear for income, I would have a backup at all times and would choose a brand that offers high quality professional support and readily available rentals.

If you were shooting professionally you would be registered as a professional at Leica Wetzlar and benefit from expedited turnaround, free loaners etc. Facilities which are offered to amateurs as well. Express service (paid), loaners if needed and at Leica's discretion, etc.

[Chaemono]

It was a fun adventure with the SL.

 

Too bad. How about this wonderfully balanced combo? You're keeping that?

 

@Chaemono:  lol.. we've been using that Otus combo since 2014. There is no AF. So your sarcastic is too dry dude.

 

 

Since you mentioned the SL50. I've compared it to the Sony Planar FE 50/1.4. The Sony is crap.

Edited June 16, 2017 by Chaemono

[AlexP]

Sony FE 50 is junk. I still have all the Otus lenses.

 

As for all other, I"m base in the US. Waiting couple weeks for turn-around is a no no for me. I also don't like the fact that after couple weeks waiting, i might find a surprise bill like Gordon. So i rather take a precaution step now than have to deal with the hassle later. Majority of you guys here are using leica for fun so you don't mind the waiting game.

[Guest VVJ]

I feel you are in denial and fail to appreciate you are suffering from chronic GAS ........ 

 

For those looking to satisfy chronic GAS in a much cheaper way, the original Holga is back!!! 

 

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/144120-Holga-120N-Plastic-Medium-Format-Camera

 

Including light leaks, vignetting, softness and no support at all...!!!

[FlashGordonPhotography]

I'm glad you're doing whatever works for you. As working photographers we have a slightly different set of priorities to others.

 

I've got to say though that even with my "issue" (since it was mentioned) I'm not giving up the best piece of hardware I've ever used, Leica have been fine, especially the Australian gang. Am I happy I might be up for a cost repair? No. But it is being taken seriously by Leica. I don't know the end result but I'm OK with Leica. Heck, I was in the Sydney store 2 days ago just for a chat. Mine is one event. Others have had stellar service and freebies for out of warranty stuff. We need to be balanced here. Not all Leica service experiences are bad. It's likely just a few, like any other service department.

 

As for the 50. You need to dump that turd and find something you like. Maybe the Otus?

 

Leica service, outside Europe, is too slow. Far too slow. I will be making sure my thoughts are heard by Leica Australia in the future and I hope I can help develop a proper pro service system here. Leica will never get real traction with working photographers without it. Japp keeps mentioning registering as a pro but I can tell you that's BS. Everyone in Leica Australia knows me and I'm possibly also the biggest customer of Leica gear in Oz and I can't get priority service on my SL.

 

However I'm also not going to ditch the best piece of hardware I've ever used because of the 'possibility' of an extended repair. I've worked extensively outside major centres. I've always had it in my mind that I need to be somewhat self sufficient. If something breaks friday I need to be able to shoot Saturday. Maybe it's because Oz is so big and remote. I've been working in places where you drive for a day just to have electricity.

 

Leica are slow. So I am self sufficient. When my SL went down I had my own contingencies in place. So it's an inconvenience not critical. I was a CPS member for 20 years and not frigging once did they have a direct loaner when I needed it. There was always some event on or other excuse. I dropped in an EOS 1n and got offered an EOS 3000 as a loaner. I figured that of I'm going to be on my own I may as well use camera I like.

 

So I keep my own last resort 'loaner'. I have an a7 with a couple of essential lenses and a metabones adaptor. By Leica standards they're disposable. And mostly they collect dust. But they're not worth selling so I keep them. I loaned my A7R to a mate when he broke his, so I'm his loan department as well. Between my Leica gear I mostly don't even need the Sony even. Heck, I even found a mint used SL and bought that, partly so I'd be immune to Leica service times. It might actually be cheaper to find a second used body compared to the loss on selling your body and lenses.

 

While my SL is on holiday, I've shot three weddings and two dozen commercial jobs. I have a plan in place and so it's an inconvenience. Nothing more.

 

Even though I have needed service, I don't feel the SL is unreliable. I've had many cameras serviced. My XPro2 arrived with a cracked EVF eyepiece. That took 4 weeks to sort. A  brand spanking new DJI camera took 5 weeks to replace.  I had an EOS 1n completely disabled by a single grain of sand when I was on an island in Queensland Two months. No loaners available (except the EOS 3000!!) because of some car race.. Annoying. Yes. But nothing that stopped me shooting. Of all the potential problems that can happen a broken camera is a minor one.

 

Mate. You do what you want. But I'd consider keeping the SL if you like using it and put your own loaner system in place for emergencies. Probably cheaper than the loss you'll take on the SL anyway. We use our gear all day, every day. Personally if I'm doing that then I'm using something I like using.

 

Gordon

 

p.s. That GFX looks sweet.... I went the other way with an X1D and I'm enjoying it immensely.

Edited June 16, 2017 by FlashGordonPhotography

[jaapv]

Sony FE 50 is junk. I still have all the Otus lenses.

 

As for all other, I"m base in the US. Waiting couple weeks for turn-around is a no no for me. I also don't like the fact that after couple weeks waiting, i might find a surprise bill like Gordon. So i rather take a precaution step now than have to deal with the hassle later. Majority of you guys here are using leica for fun so you don't mind the waiting game.

Wetzlar is 24 hours away by Fedex; thinking countries or continents is yesterday...

[jaapv]

I'm glad you're doing whatever works for you. As working photographers we have a slightly different set of priorities to others.

 

I've got to say though that even with my "issue" (since it was mentioned) I'm not giving up the best piece of hardware I've ever used, Leica have been fine, especially the Australian gang. Am I happy I might be up for a cost repair? No. But it is being taken seriously by Leica. I don't know the end result but I'm OK with Leica. Heck, I was in the Sydney store 2 days ago just for a chat. Mine is one event. Others have had stellar service and freebies for out of warranty stuff. We need to be balanced here. Not all Leica service experiences are bad. It's likely just a few, like any other service department.

 

As for the 50. You need to dump that turd and find something you like. Maybe the Otus?

 

Leica service, outside Europe, is too slow. Far too slow. I will be making sure my thoughts are heard by Leica Australia in the future and I hope I can help develop a proper pro service system here. Leica will never get real traction with working photographers without it. Japp keeps mentioning registering as a pro but I can tell you that's BS. Everyone in Leica Australia knows me and I'm possibly also the biggest customer of Leica gear in Oz and I can't get priority service on my SL.

 

However I'm also not going to ditch the best piece of hardware I've ever used because of the 'possibility' of an extended repair. I've worked extensively outside major centres. I've always had it in my mind that I need to be somewhat self sufficient. If something breaks friday I need to be able to shoot Saturday. Maybe it's because Oz is so big and remote. I've been working in places where you drive for a day just to have electricity.

 

Leica are slow. So I am self sufficient. When my SL went down I had my own contingencies in place. So it's an inconvenience not critical. I was a CPS member for 20 years and not frigging once did they have a direct loaner when I needed it. There was always some event on or other excuse. I dropped in an EOS 1n and got offered an EOS 3000 as a loaner. I figured that of I'm going to be on my own I may as well use camera I like.

 

So I keep my own last resort 'loaner'. I have an a7 with a couple of essential lenses and a metabones adaptor. By Leica standards they're disposable. And mostly they collect dust. But they're not worth selling so I keep them. I loaned my A7R to a mate when he broke his, so I'm his loan department as well. Between my Leica gear I mostly don't even need the Sony even. Heck, I even found a mint used SL and bought that, partly so I'd be immune to Leica service times. It might actually be cheaper to find a second used body compared to the loss on selling your body and lenses.

 

While my SL is on holiday, I've shot three weddings and two dozen commercial jobs. I have a plan in place and so it's an inconvenience. Nothing more.

 

Even though I have needed service, I don't feel the SL is unreliable. I've had many cameras serviced. My XPro2 arrived with a cracked EVF eyepiece. That took 4 weeks to sort. A  brand spanking new DJI camera took 5 weeks to replace.  I had an EOS 1n completely disabled by a single grain of sand when I was on an island in Queensland Two months. No loaners available (except the EOS 3000!!) because of some car race.. Annoying. Yes. But nothing that stopped me shooting. Of all the potential problems that can happen a broken camera is a minor one.

 

Mate. You do what you want. But I'd consider keeping the SL if you like using it and put your own loaner system in place for emergencies. Probably cheaper than the loss you'll take on the SL anyway. We use our gear all day, every day. Personally if I'm doing that then I'm using something I like using.

 

Gordon

 

p.s. That GFX looks sweet.... I went the other way with an X1D and I'm enjoying it immensely.

Pro service only works through Wetzlar as I mentioned in my post, Gordon. Leica needs to expand it to their other major markets, especially those that have to contend with customs hassles. It is still a Germany/Europe centred company.

[Ashkanani1985]

wow thats not good 

 

I am professional travel photographer and travel around the world and  to remote places, i'v used DSLR for 10 year and just 2 month ago ditched my DSLR and going to buy SL very soon already bought Q now reading this makes me really nervous and reconsider it...... I came to Leica for 3 reason 1- build quality 2- again build quality 3-Leica magical color science ...... so now I am really worried 

 

can I know plz why you selling the SL ?

 

what is the issue you had with the camera ?

 

thanx

[frogfisher]

Must break a lance here for the Leica Service in Wetzlar. Used it already three times this year for completely servicing some 2nd hand M lenses and latest for my entire SL System which has mastered so far over a year of heavy "abuse" in windy, sandy & salty conditions. It all came back entirely and beautifully well serviced and adjusted. They even changed the leather trim (which I burned accidently with a cigar or so) free of charge. All within 3 weeks and at my request even quicker. Just a call and little chat with "my" Leica technician, who was more than happy to give me any detailed information about "my" service and of course made it happen that I got everything back right in time when I needed it, actually two days earlier. So, from my side a honest jolly great A+++ for the Leica Service and Meister Camera in Munich.

[FlashGordonPhotography]

Pro service only works through Wetzlar as I mentioned in my post, Gordon. Leica needs to expand it to their other major markets, especially those that have to contend with customs hassles. It is still a Germany/Europe centred company.

 

My camera was express shipped to Wetzlar, Japp, direct from Leica Australia. Then it sits on a shelf for 4-6 weeks before a look in. And this is after Leica Australia communicating directly with Germany about me being a full time working photographer.

 

So no, pro service doesn't work. Even if the camera gets to Germany. Plus there is no way in the members area for me to even register as a pro. But EVERYBODY at Leica Australia (a direct subsidiary of Leica AG) knows me. What's happened is that the local gang have bent over backwards to expedite things (the rep even offered me his personal camera if I was stuck, which I'm not). It's Germany that needs to sort it self out.

 

It might well be that Leica "ambassadors", locals and forum moderators get "pro service" but us ordinary working schmucks most certainly don't. Not even in Germany.

 

Gordon

[FlashGordonPhotography]

wow thats not good 

 

I am professional travel photographer and travel around the world and  to remote places, i'v used DSLR for 10 year and just 2 month ago ditched my DSLR and going to buy SL very soon already bought Q now reading this makes me really nervous and reconsider it...... I came to Leica for 3 reason 1- build quality 2- again build quality 3-Leica magical color science ...... so now I am really worried 

 

can I know plz why you selling the SL ?

 

what is the issue you had with the camera ?

 

thanx

 

Stop worrying. All brands have some units that need servicing. That's what service is for. The only difference is that unless you can hand the thing over the counter personally, it seems that *if* you need service it's slower than, say Canon or Nikon. So you'll need to understand that and have a plan in place. Leica are a small company who have to re-learn what working photographers expect in the 21st century. But even I can see that things have been improving over the last 7 years since my M9.

 

So one guy has a service issue and another chooses to move on. Out of the thousands of SL bodies out there I think the failure rate is very low.

 

Shoot what you want and be happy. And have a backup, just in case. That's what we pros do.

 

Gordon

[jaapv]

My camera was express shipped to Wetzlar, Japp, direct from Leica Australia. Then it sits on a shelf for 4-6 weeks before a look in. And this is after Leica Australia communicating directly with Germany about me being a full time working photographer.

 

So no, pro service doesn't work. Even if the camera gets to Germany. Plus there is no way in the members area for me to even register as a pro. But EVERYBODY at Leica Australia (a direct subsidiary of Leica AG) knows me. What's happened is that the local gang have bent over backwards to expedite things (the rep even offered me his personal camera if I was stuck, which I'm not). It's Germany that needs to sort it self out.

 

It might well be that Leica "ambassadors", locals and forum moderators get "pro service" but us ordinary working schmucks most certainly don't. Not even in Germany.

 

Gordon

Well, in my experience not only moderators and ambassadors (who normally just wait in line like everybody else) get good service, but all customers do, including a loaner if you really need it, and express service (i.e. within a week) if paid  for -provided the parts are available. Lack of spare parts is the reason for extended repair times in the vast majority of cases. 

Normally (and the current M9 sensor tsunami is not normal, BTW) cameras are waiting  -and waiting long- not for lack of staff but for the parts to arrive. As soon as that has come to pass, they are mostly (80%) off the table within a week, two at most at peak times.

I do not know what causes Leica's constant struggle with the spare parts supply. The most common reason given is the relatively small size of the orders, but surely modern logistics should be able to make things run smoothly.

[steppenw0lf]

You come - you go, what is the difference ?

Anybody else who wants "to go" and needs a special thread for this ? Maybe also a stone with the inscription "We will always remember you !"  ?

BS

 

 

Do not let yourself be pulled into a discussion of service because of this. AFAIK he did not use support. So he has no experience with it ....     So this is all a storm in a water glass.    (I actually have the same amount of experience - I have never used support, in about 30 years.)

 

If I ever switch to another system I will not need an excuse for it. I will simply do it and nobody will notice it. Did I inform Nikon or Canon or even Sony when I bought the SL ?  Of course not. How would that ever come to my mind ?  

 

P.S: lately I saw a strange film - and it gave me a few ideas. So next time I buy a new TV, or a better fridge, I will send a sad letter to the old providers that after many years I finally found their product so unbearable that I had to switch. And I just wanted to take the chance to thank them for their products and how much I regretted to be forced  to switch - but their service and quality of latest products was simply intolerable, so I had no choice. Too sad.

 

Somehow (cutting a few corners) this reminds me of an unforgettable short story I read at school more than 30 years ago: SAKI (H.H.Munro) "The open door" or maybe rather "the open window". Sorry, it's very long ago. But it has a remarkable end.

Edited June 17, 2017 by steppenw0lf

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[AlexP]

You come - you go, what is the difference ?

Anybody else who wants "to go" and needs a special thread for this ? Maybe also a stone with the inscription "We will always remember you !"  ?

BS

lol..and you find the need to respond? double BS for you.