dkmoore Posted July 4, 2018 Share #1 Posted July 4, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've owned this 50 APO for a couple of months now noticed today a large dust speck under the front element. I've 15+ Leica lenses from new to old and really haven't had this problem. Call it good luck. Also, not a post worrying about if the dust will degrade image quality. *doesn't show up in images and I doubt it will affect contract where its located* Question: Is this lens more prone to dust than others? I would have thought not because of the "tight tolerances" it takes to assemble and I haven't seen any other posts. I haven't shot in any extreme dusty environments. large dust speck is at 3 o'clock 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! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/286264-dust-question-50-apo/?do=findComment&comment=3549531'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 4, 2018 Posted July 4, 2018 Hi dkmoore, Take a look here Dust question - 50 APO. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Fgcm Posted July 4, 2018 Share #2 Posted July 4, 2018 Mine is clean. I fear it’s “good luck” as you wrote. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted July 4, 2018 Author Share #3 Posted July 4, 2018 Mine is clean. I fear it’s “good luck” as you wrote. How long have you been using it? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted July 4, 2018 Share #4 Posted July 4, 2018 What i see is two small specks at 3 and 6 o'clock and a large black stain at the centre. The latter is not normal at all if it is not a sort of reflection. As for the specks, it is not unusual to get a couple of them in dusty environments. You don't live in such environments though IINR so there is no reason to keep this lens as is if it is still under warranty even if you won't see any degradation in IQ most probably. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted July 4, 2018 Share #5 Posted July 4, 2018 Lenses are assembled in dust free conditions. I expect this lens was assembled by a moustached gentleman after lunch, it’s a speck of icing sugar from the strudel he enjoyed just before returning to his bench. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted July 4, 2018 Author Share #6 Posted July 4, 2018 What i see is two small specks at 3 and 6 o'clock and a large black stain at the centre. The latter is not normal at all if it is not a sort of reflection. As for the specks, it is not unusual to get a couple of them in dusty environments. You don't live in such environments though IINR so there is no reason to keep this lens as is if it is still under warranty even if you won't see any degradation in IQ most probably. The large black stain is my reflection standing over the lenses taking the picture with my iPhone. You are correct that I don't live in a dusty environment so I was surprised to see that happen so quickly. I will most likely send it to Leica NJ and have them clean it. The only issue is that it will take 18 months. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted July 4, 2018 Author Share #7 Posted July 4, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) Lenses are assembled in dust free conditions. I expect this lens was assembled by a moustached gentleman after lunch, it’s a speck of icing sugar from the strudel he enjoyed just before returning to his bench. I have no mustache but it may have been the strudel I was eating. Lens came dust free. This little bugger came sometime recently. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted July 4, 2018 Author Share #8 Posted July 4, 2018 What i see is two small specks at 3 and 6 o'clock and a large black stain at the centre. The latter is not normal at all if it is not a sort of reflection. As for the specks, it is not unusual to get a couple of them in dusty environments. You don't live in such environments though IINR so there is no reason to keep this lens as is if it is still under warranty even if you won't see any degradation in IQ most probably. Is this something that the warranty would even cover? Leica has performed a ton of work for me over the years at no cost but taking apart and cleaning the inside of the lens element for a dust ball I am unsure of. Also, to clarify, the other white dots at 6 o'clock are just reflections. The dust speck is the only flaw. Brand new lens and also have had a Leica UVaII filter mounted since day two. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted July 4, 2018 Author Share #9 Posted July 4, 2018 just for fun 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! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/286264-dust-question-50-apo/?do=findComment&comment=3549725'>More sharing options...
Fgcm Posted July 5, 2018 Share #10 Posted July 5, 2018 How long have you been using it? Two years, including one month spent driving in Namibia, where dust is everywhere. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted July 5, 2018 Share #11 Posted July 5, 2018 You'd need to have hundreds more specks of dust inside the lenses before any IQ was lost. But it would affect resale on the simple basis that given a choice somebody would chose the one without dust, so get it swapped/cleaned by Leica now, or have it cleaned in a few years time when there may be two or three more specks. It depends if you want to use it or faff about with Leica. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted July 5, 2018 Share #12 Posted July 5, 2018 +1. Have it cleaned now under warranty or at your own expense later. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted July 5, 2018 Author Share #13 Posted July 5, 2018 Agreed. Dropping it off at Leica NJ. Will use other lenses for a little. Was using 50 mostly but will move to the 28 Lux for a little. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmradman Posted July 5, 2018 Share #14 Posted July 5, 2018 Agreed. Dropping it off at Leica NJ. Will use other lenses for a little. Was using 50 mostly but will move to the 28 Lux for a little. Hope Leica NJ don't lunch on strudel or you for that matter while using Summilux 28mm... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexontario Posted July 5, 2018 Share #15 Posted July 5, 2018 (edited) When you get our lens back , would you please post , I am curious about how long it will actually take. Thanks. I was thinking of sending my 50 APO in to get the calibration checked as it had a drop issue. No physical damage but was thinking of getting it checked over. Edited July 5, 2018 by lexontario Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted July 5, 2018 Author Share #16 Posted July 5, 2018 quoted me 12 weeks today, which is probably more like 16 unless you follow up every day. DAG is a week. For you, I would go that direction since you dropped your lens and the warranty no longer covers drops. I'll prob swing into Leica NJ which is a whole other ballgame. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted July 11, 2018 Author Share #17 Posted July 11, 2018 Dust removed by Leica NJ. Kudos to them. I've been critical of them in the past but I have had two great experiences back to back as of recent. They indicated my copy of the APO is one of the highest performing copies they have seen. Lucky me unless they were just trying to make me feel good about myself! Ha. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exodies Posted July 11, 2018 Share #18 Posted July 11, 2018 They said that the lens was a high performer, not that you were. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted July 11, 2018 Share #19 Posted July 11, 2018 They indicated my copy of the APO is one of the highest performing copies they have seen. Lucky me unless they were just trying to make me feel good about myself! Ha. Good for you but, at the price, not comforting for others, nor a rousing endorsement for QC. Jeff 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 11, 2018 Share #20 Posted July 11, 2018 Not really a surprising statement though. In a complicated production process like high-end lenses there will be sample variation. At the development of a lens there is a reference lens created that meets the design parameters. This lens sets the minimum standard that all lenses must reach and all lenses are tested against this lens. Obviously there will be lenses outperforming the minimum requirements, but all will reach the standard. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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