60 macro problem

[Carl54]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I have received a Leica R kit that belonged to my father.  The 60 macro will not focus to infinity. The furthest out it will focus is about 3 feet. The focusing ring reads infinity, but it isn't.  I imagine this would be a costly repair.  Any suggestions on where I could go for this fix?  Thanks.

[jaapv]

It is not a given that it would be costly - it rather depends on the cause. To advise you where to go, it would be practical to know where you are.

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[Carl54]

Hello, I am in western Massachusetts.

 

[Leicaiste]

Maybe it’s because it’s mounted on a macro extension tube. 

[Carl54]

nope, just the lens. no extension tube

[pierovitch]

Is there a filter on the front labelled ELPRO. If there is it is a removable close up attachment.

[gbealnz]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Post a picture of it mounted on the camera. I agree with the previous, extension tube or macro converter, or Elpro in the front. 

[Carl54]

No kind of attachment, doesn't look like it's ever been dropped.  Here's a photo:

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!

Edited May 17, 2020 by Carl54

[msh58]

vor 11 Minuten schrieb Carl54:

No kind of attachment, doesn't look like it's ever been dropped.  Here's a photo:

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!

Hello,

Looks like there is something wrong with the focusing mechanism. The front flange should be closer to rest of the barrel. Does the focusing work smoothly? Is the front part loose? It should be easy to get this lens serviced. It is a wonderful all-around standard lens, good for close ups, too. 

[TomB_tx]

The lens has been disassembled and the helical focusing thread was not indexed correctly when re-assembling. It is a multi-start thread and can be mated in a number of positions, but only one is correct. Likely the grease had thickened making it hard to turn, and someone tried to put in lighter grease. (Mine was very hard to focus when I bought it used, and I had DAG correct the issue.) A Leica tech such as DAG could fix it quickly and at reasonable price. Here is how it should look at infinity:

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!

[msh58]

vor 9 Minuten schrieb TomB_tx:

The lens has been disassembled and the helical focusing thread was not indexed correctly when re-assembling. It is a multi-start thread and can be mated in a number of positions, but only one is correct. Likely the grease had thickened making it hard to turn, and someone tried to put in lighter grease. (Mine was very hard to focus when I bought it used, and I had DAG correct the issue.) A Leica tech such as DAG could fix it quickly and at reasonable price. Here is how it should look at infinity:

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!

I actually have the a little bit different looking first version and DAG did a CLA on it. The lens works perfectly now. The service was money well spent. 

[Carl54]

The lens works smoothly, feels right. Yes, I noticed the flange didn't come all the way back. Now that I know what DAG is, I'll be contacting them. Thanks everybody for your help!

[msh58]

vor 3 Stunden schrieb Carl54:

The lens works smoothly, feels right. Yes, I noticed the flange didn't come all the way back. Now that I know what DAG is, I'll be contacting them. Thanks everybody for your help!

DAG is a trusted Leica repair guy in Wisconsin, USA. Look for dagcamera on the web and you will find his web site. 

[TomB_tx]

Another repair option close to you (New York) is:

http://www.sherrykrauter.com/

Sherry is known to do work on Leica R products. She has done good work for me, but one R lens took over year - which she said was waiting on parts. Your lens should not need parts.

I have usually found DAG to be faster, but he once took over a year for a full camera service also. (I had told him there was no rush - he believed me!)

Both are known to do good work, as is Youxin Ye, who is usually faster, but I don’t think he works on R lenses. (DAG will no longer work on R cameras, but I believe he will still service R lenses.)

[Carl54]

Thanks again for the input and the link.   I think sending it to New York makes sense.

[wlaidlaw]

I had thought Sherry was more or less retired but I would be happy to be corrected on this. 

Wilson

[msh58]

vor 3 Stunden schrieb wlaidlaw:

I had thought Sherry was more or less retired but I would be happy to be corrected on this. 

Wilson

You can call her first. Also, mailing then lens to DAG is straightforward, I have never had problems with that.

[AZN]

Another positive vote for DAG.

A few caveats though:

* He can take weeks/ months to turn around an item.  He is just that busy.

* He insists on a printed cover letter being sent in with the item outlining your contact details, what is wrong with the item etc..  Very old school.  I sent him all this information by email but he wasn't pleased when my package arrived without that extra piece of paper.

Other than that, he does good work and is one of the few R repairers still around 😃

Edited May 20, 2020 by AZN
Typos

[wlaidlaw]

For basic lens problems which don't require specialist Leica parts, my local repairer Kelvin at Protech Camera repairs near Uckfield, UK (+44 1825 732730‬) can do them. He disassembled my 35/2.8 Elmarit-R  to clean it a few months ago and it was back in three weeks much improved. If something is beyond Kelvin's expertise, he will say and not just charge in regardless. His main work now is repairing and/or modifying DSLR cameras but he picked up a lot of knowledge from his father who was a Leica only service technician. He does have a full optical bench for setting up lenses. 

Wilson

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[spydrxx]

DAG just did some lens work for me, took a full week including shipping both ways. Amazing! I think perhaps the short turnaround may have been facilitated by my providing him with detailed pictures and explanation of the issue via email, getting his estimate, reading his website re sending the lens in, and paying him the cost  return postage in advance. Or maybe it was just because I'm a return customer. In any case, he does very good work, as do both Sherrie and Youxin...but DAG is my preferred choice.