skimmel Report post #1 Posted November 5 Hi everyone, I ordered an 11-23mm lens a couple of months ago and still nothing. Anyone know what the status is of the lens and whether any are being shipped? Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jev Report post #2 Posted November 5 Leica store in New York say they have not yet seen any Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gfweir Report post #3 Posted November 6 Same in NJ, mine has been on order since July Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bill W Report post #4 Posted November 6 I gave up and found one on eBay by chance. Very good price and like new. Have not seen another used one since. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skimmel Report post #5 Posted November 6 Is Leica even trying to make these lenses? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LocalHero1953 Report post #6 Posted November 6 It's been posted elsewhere on this forum, and I've heard the same from a dealer, that Leica has had a failure of a manufacturing machine, affecting a number of lenses. I have no information on what machine, which lenses, what sort of failure, or when it will be fixed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wlaidlaw Report post #7 Posted November 6 I didn't think Leica made the TL/CL zoom lenses and they were made under licence by an unidentified Japanese manufacturer. Wilson 1 LocalHero1953 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bill W Report post #8 Posted November 6 Mine says "Made in Japan". Some of the primes are made in Germany such as the 35 and 60. They are not in short supply as far as I can see. There could be a lot of components for the 11-23 made in Japan and the final process is in Germany but I am just guessing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wsself Report post #9 Posted November 6 I picked up this lens (11-23mm Super Vario Elmar 3.5-4.5) this past weekend at a popular shop here in Toronto called Downtown Camera. It looks like I might have been the lucky guy who got their last unit as the site now shows that it is on backorder. Nonetheless, keep checking back as they might get receive new supply soon. Good luck! UPDATE: Looks like Vistek here in Canada might have supply. Listed as special order - but not 'backorder' or 'out of stock'. Might be worth investigating. You might even do well with the currency exchange. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bill W Report post #10 Posted November 6 There is a used one on ebay if anyone is interested. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Leica-Super-Vario-Elmar-T-11-23mm-f-3-5-4-5-ASPH-Lens-/123465613392?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Petercoll Report post #11 Posted November 7 Leica Manchester informed me a machine tool for making part of the 11-23mm zoom lens broke months ago, and has not been fixed due to attention on other things in the factory in Germany...... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jaclo Report post #12 Posted November 7 34 minutes ago, Petercoll said: Leica Manchester informed me a machine tool for making part of the 11-23mm zoom lens broke months ago, and has not been fixed due to attention on other things in the factory in Germany...... As a potential CL buyer this apparent lack of commitment to the lenses for this system is troubling. Is that why they were giving away a free “M” adapter? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skimmel Report post #13 Posted November 7 1 hour ago, Petercoll said: Leica Manchester informed me a machine tool for making part of the 11-23mm zoom lens broke months ago, and has not been fixed due to attention on other things in the factory in Germany...... Wow. Hope they turn attention to this soon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wlaidlaw Report post #14 Posted November 7 If it is the machine I am thinking of (I have seen it operating on various visits to Solms), it looks quite old, I would guess from the early days of CNC asymmetric lens grinding. I suspect, if seriously broken, it may have to be replaced rather than repaired, due to unavailability of spare parts etc. It is the machine with a magnetised soft iron tape, where the magnetic field and tape alignment are computer controlled. The more intense the magnetic field, the more of the paramagnetic grinding medium it picks up on the tape and the more the glass blank is ground. I would not be surprised if this machine dates from the 1980's. If they replace it, they then have to set up the new machine and spend some time turning out prototype elements to make sure that they meet the design spec. Wilson 1 scroy reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LocalHero1953 Report post #15 Posted November 7 If all this is true it sheds more light on what "Made in ......" means in the C21 - and whether it's a useful descriptor at all. Sounds like Leica could be making the glass elements for a Japanese manufacturer to assemble (with their own AF system??) and put a "Made in Japan" label on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawman Report post #16 Posted November 9 I ordered one 5 months ago and it arrived two weeks ago - so they are shipping!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Astropap Report post #17 Posted November 9 Still listed as "back ordered" at B&H Photo. Amy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
