New SL2 owner - Smudged Hotshoe Text?

[Starfall14]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hi All! Longtime lurker - first time poster here. I seem to have a bizarre issue. I purchased a new SL2 kit, along with the 24-70 f/2.8, and it arrived today. (Very excited, first time using an SL). However, upon unboxing, I've noticed that the 'Leica SL2' text on the hotshoe is....smudged? It almost looks like the ink didn't set and it got all over the cover. Wondering if anyone else has experienced anything like this? I purchased this kit new from B&H, and this is definitely the first time I've ever had anything Leica have any issue like this. Should I return it?

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!

[Advertisement]

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

[jaapv]

Yes you should, unless you manage to wipe the excess paint off without marking the camera.  Although it is utterly irrelevant, it will affect resale value.

[Stuart Richardson]

if it were me I would put some rubbing alcohol or acetone on a cotton pad and rub it off and get on with my day. It looks to me like someone forgot to do this. Often this paint is filled in and then rubbed off with a solvent. This leaves the engraved area cleanly painted. If you cannot remove it easily with light pressure, then return if it concerns you...

[pgh]

I had this as well. I decided to let it be. It was the first Leica I ever got where the only problem was aesthetic, so I figured if I sent it back I'd probably get something with a functional problem. 

[Sandokan]

Swap it. 

[LeicaR10]

Starfall14,  I agree with JAAPV in his post #2.  For what you paid for the SL2 kit, it should be at least cosmetically perfect.  If you damage the attempted cleaning, B&H might not accept the return.  I most highly recommend you call B&H and get a Return Authorization number and simply ask for an exchange.  They will do it with no problems as long as the box, cards, books, cords etc are included.  Unfortunately you got a SL2 that slipped through the QC inspector.  I am certain B&H will make it right with no fuss.  r/ Mark

[hansvons]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I‘d keep it and take it as your camera‘s special mark. But if you contracted GAS and sale is inevitable in the foreseeable future, swap it.

[Starfall14]

Thank you all so much for the replies! I’m probably going to go ahead and return for a new one. While re-sale value isn’t really a concern for me, I do believe that for the price paid, it should at the very least demonstrate tight cosmetic tolerances. That being said, I very much appreciate all the advice - you all are very kind.

[msendin]

We should worry such a very visible external defect has passed Q.C.

[LocalHero1953]

On 5/7/2022 at 5:51 PM, Starfall14 said:

Thank you all so much for the replies! I’m probably going to go ahead and return for a new one. While re-sale value isn’t really a concern for me, I do believe that for the price paid, it should at the very least demonstrate tight cosmetic tolerances. That being said, I very much appreciate all the advice - you all are very kind.

Resale value is never a problem for any of us ......... until we want to trade it in for a SL3!

[OleBe]

All has been said about the replacement. Just wanted to show you what happens if you clean your flash shoe...You quickly have a special edition, even with mild cleaning.  Seems it is made from brass which has been anodized. 

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!

 

 

[tomopoole]

I had the exact same issue. From B&H too. 
I swapped it.

 

[Stuart Richardson]

52 minutes ago, tomopoole said:

I had the exact same issue. From B&H too. 
I swapped it.

 

I would guess it is probably the same camera then, right? When did you return it?

[Pelu2010]

It may be one of very few cameras that have this feature. 

So I would keep it. 

It's definitely rarer than anything else 

😀

[Ivar B]

On 5/8/2022 at 9:24 PM, msendin said:

We should worry such a very visible external defect has passed Q.C.

I agree. This should not have happened and it is very strange that it was not spotted. 

[V23]

3 hours ago, Stuart Richardson said:

I would guess it is probably the same camera then, right? When did you return it?

That would be a bit of a worry, I often wonder what does happen to cameras and other gear that is returned to retailers.

[wizard]

vor einer Stunde schrieb Ivar B:

This should not have happened and it is very strange that it was not spotted. 

I suspect it could not be spotted because it only happened in the box. In other words, it seems like what has happened is that the camera was packaged before the paint in the hotshoe has had time to set sufficiently. So the smearing happened in the box when some other part was pressing onto the hotshoe. If I am correct, then there was nothing to spot when the camera was put into its box.

[Ivar B]

38 minutes ago, wizard said:

I suspect it could not be spotted because it only happened in the box. In other words, it seems like what has happened is that the camera was packaged before the paint in the hotshoe has had time to set sufficiently. So the smearing happened in the box when some other part was pressing onto the hotshoe. If I am correct, then there was nothing to spot when the camera was put into its box.

Yes, perhaps this is so. I did not consider this possibility.

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[pgh]

If your camera works I would keep it. As I said before, I had (have?) this issue too - and the SL2 was the best new camera I've ever received from Leica. Every other one had actual imaging problems out of the box - my M10 had to go back twice! This is frickin paint...if you use it, your camera will have more cosmetic marks than this in weeks anyways. 

I agree it's concerning it got out of the factory like this, but again, this is the best problem I've had from said factory. QC has never been a strong suit in Leica digital. Like, ever. Spend 5-10k and gamble that you'll need a few tries to get the thing you paid for. 

Edited May 11, 2022 by pgh

[laowai_]

6 hours ago, V23 said:

[...] I often wonder what does happen to cameras and other gear that is returned to retailers.

As far as I know, is violates FTC rules to sell a used item as new. An item is considered used if the box was opened, even if the product has never been used. Distributors usually have a certain percentage of products that they can return to the manufacturer. If a manufacturer accepts opened boxes depends on the specific agreements I would guess. The distributor could try to sell the returned item as "refurbished", "like new", "demo", or whatever term they choose to use, they could sell it to consolidators/broker who specializes in used photographic equipment. 

I am sure the problem is a lot more nuanced with a lot of gray area between new and not-new. I hope someone who is familiar with FTC rules and regulations can jump in here.