Think Twice About Using Leica Service

[Shootist]

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Steve,

 

I dearly wanted an M8, but seeing what was going on I paused, then finally gave up.

 

 

I still have high hopes for Leica, but if they don't start treating their loyal customers better than they're treating them at the moment, my hopes may be dashed.

 

Regards,

 

Then may I ask why you are on the M8 forum????

 

I'd love to own a Ford GT, a 427 Shelby Cobra and any Ferrari but I don't. So I don't go over to forums that deal with those object and look for and post to threads that deal with problems with them.

I also don't go to Canon forums and post to threads about the AF problems with the new MK3. I also own a Nikon but you won't find me posting to threads that deal with problem with the new models that are coming out, and there will be problems.

IF I OWNED any of them and had good or bad experiences with those things I would probably post to those forums.

 

Stop beating your head against the wall and buy a M8.

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[stunsworth]

I've heard all the tales about the M8 AWB being so bad its unusable. Here's a shot taken using AWB and no colour temperature correction, I have thousands similar. I'm not saying that the white balance couldn't be improved, but it this as bad as some have said???

 

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[j. white]

I dearly wanted an M8, but seeing what was going on I paused, then finally gave up.

I still have high hopes for Leica, but if they don't start treating their loyal customers better than they're treating them at the moment, my hopes may be dashed.

 

Amen Russ. I have viewed the M8 from afar as a transitional product for Leica. I genuinely hope they're learning from the lessons they share with their loyal following. While I truely believe that the M8 delivers on the image quality that the M lenses are capable of, the all too frequent reports of software/hardward integration issues with the camera have kept me from buying the camera. While it is not dear to me, I have yet to regret my retisence.

 

I love the idea of a truly "timeless" digital camera, but I have worked in the digital entertainment industry long enough to realise that this is a meaningless statement.

 

 

-J.

[gwelland]

Awwww crap! I just got my longed for Noctilux today and it back-focuses by what seems like a yard. Looks like I picked the wrong day to contemplate sending this brand new sucker back to Leica.

 

Even though it's effectively new I'm inclined to send it to DAG or one of the others on this list.

[glenerrolrd]

Its becoming quite difficult to keep this topic on target. Obviously if your M8 is perfect and you never had a serious problem...then you have no experience with service....and very little to base any opinion. Maybe I should have started this thread with " Think Twice About Sending Your Lenses to Leica Service" . Lenses needing service are a concern for a lot of forum members....I don t know how many ...but maybe if your lenses need 6 bit , CLA or focus calibration.....they this is pretty important to you. Personally the M8 is such a great solution for me that I will go to great lengths to get it right. This is why I have sent 8 lens through Leica s service in NJ ..considering the results I have had thats either committed or maybe just stupid . I have been hoping that factory coding and calibration plus the warrenty you can buy for $50 would be worthwhile. So far I have spent about $2000 on lens coding and adjustment...only one lens required CLA. I have never been treated so poorly on a consistent basis by any customer service group nor have I ever seen such obviously sloppy and incomplete repairs. ...........Maybe to be constructive we could hear from individuals that have had service requirements and found alternatives that have worked for them.

[Shootist]

Yes it always is, especially when you have the interlopers that don't even own a M8 posting how they really want one but it's just not right and all these posts prove it.

 

As for alternative sercive I have only dealt with one person and that was Mark Hama here in Georgia and it was for service on several M3's. I'm about to send a 135/2.8 lens to DAG to have the eyes adjusted and a CLA. But as far as getting things fixed under warranty there is only one game in town and that is Leica.

[tom0511]

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Over the last years I had 8 times lenses sent to Leica Solms Service

(my 28/2.0 for calibtration, the 35/1.4asph 2 times for focus calibration, 50/1.4 for focus calibration, 50 Noctilux for cleaning, coding, focus calibration, 21, 28, 35 for coding.

Some things they did in 2 weeks, the longest was like 8 weeks. I never had any marks or damages from Leica. So I dont believe that Leica Solms was the problem.

It also looks like its an advantage to go through a good Leica dealer/store - they managed everything for me (not all lenses were new).

The only problem I have that there focus calibration helped to improved but did not allways fulfill my full expectations (my 50asph has to go in another time).

Cheers, Tom

[glenerrolrd]

Over the last years I had 8 times lenses sent to Leica Solms Service

(my 28/2.0 for calibtration, the 35/1.4asph 2 times for focus calibration, 50/1.4 for focus calibration, 50 Noctilux for cleaning, coding, focus calibration, 21, 28, 35 for coding.

Some things they did in 2 weeks, the longest was like 8 weeks. I never had any marks or damages from Leica. So I dont believe that Leica Solms was the problem.

It also looks like its an advantage to go through a good Leica dealer/store - they managed everything for me (not all lenses were new).

The only problem I have that there focus calibration helped to improved but did not allways fulfill my full expectations (my 50asph has to go in another time).

Cheers, Tom

Tom I would concur that the only problem I have had with Solms was the work they performed on the Noctilux..(but really by any standard they really screwed up ) and in fact once Solms had the paperwork and the approval ..they performed the service in 4 weeks. Shipping and paperwork were however at least 6 weeks additional weeks . For example the Noctilux was complete and in shipping Oct 20 and I received it November 9th( after following up and paying for overnight shipping). I am curious how you could accomplish this so effectively through your retailer. Are you in the US? If so did the retailer send the lenses directly to Solms? The retailers I work with would be glad to send in my lenses for me but they would go to NJ. IMHO the majority of the problems I have experienced have been due to sending my lenses to NJ. I also believe that as in your case the Summiluxes and the Noctilux frequently require calibration to yield professional results and it may take more than one trip to get it right. In the future I will find a way to go directly to Solms or to an independent 3rd party.

[xrogers]

For lens coding it seems that the longest delays are when NJ is waiting for parts. They don't seem to know when they are going to receive the parts, and won't set up a reservation system, so many lenses just sit on a shelf in NJ for weeks (or more). It also seems that the longer an item is there, the greater the chance it sits even longer (maybe it gets slowly pushed back on a shelf, and is eventually forgotten).

 

Anyhow, I bypassed all this and sent three flanges to John Milich for milling (for my lenses, flange removal was trivial). They were back within a week, and cost $25 each. Painting, remounting, and tweeking for smooth focus (the flange can bind against the rear element sides) took maybe an hour for all three lenses.

 

I didn't have to ship thousands of dollars worth of lenses around, I didn't have to wait for long, I didn't end up with lenses where the focus changed, I didn't have to call every few weeks for status. A great deal all around. Thanks, jlm!

 

--clyde

[xrogers]

I had several lenses sit in NJ for two months before having them returned uncoded (I needed them for a trip). Leica NJ was responsive and helpful while my lenses were in ther facility, and I have no complaints about the people in NJ.

 

I still wonder why Leica hasn't set up a reservation system for coding. I pay $125 up front, and they attach my new flange to my paperwork when it arrives from Solms. They call me, I send in my lens, they replace the flange, recalibrate it and return it.

 

It seems so simple, and would eliminate so many reasonable complaints...

 

--clyde

[KM-25]

I made sure I bought coded lenses when building up my system well before the M8 was released. When the M8 came out with all the problems it had, I was sure I was going to pass.

 

After awhile, I got one, last August. I got REALLY lucky and have no back focus issues. I have shot it professionally and have about 7,500 frames on mine. I have had about 4 battery pull lock ups. I had venetian blinds ( none yet with current firmware ) I still have mad scrolling, though not as bad. I have 3 batteries and 4 2GB SD cards.

 

I think the camera is great, but I do worry a bit. I won't be getting a second one unless I buy it used. The used market seems to be terrible for the seller, I have never ever seen a camera lose so much value like the M8. If I were to buy a second one today from B&H for $5,500 then decide to sell it, I would lose at least $1,000 right off.

 

That, to me, is a gauge of how the general public feels about the camera, too risky to buy used....not good.

 

While I don't plan on selling mine any time soon, if an M9 comes out in a few years, I would still keep the M8, because for what I paid for it, it would simply not be worth it to sell it.

 

The M8 is a great camera, but compared to most other pro rigs, it is quite troublesome and the used market shows that very clearly..

[RSL]

Then may I ask why you are on the M8 forum????

 

No.

[barjohn]

I made sure I bought coded lenses when building up my system well before the M8 was released. When the M8 came out with all the problems it had, I was sure I was going to pass.

 

After awhile, I got one, last August. I got REALLY lucky and have no back focus issues. I have shot it professionally and have about 7,500 frames on mine. I have had about 4 battery pull lock ups. I had venetian blinds ( none yet with current firmware ) I still have mad scrolling, though not as bad. I have 3 batteries and 4 2GB SD cards.

 

I think the camera is great, but I do worry a bit. I won't be getting a second one unless I buy it used. The used market seems to be terrible for the seller, I have never ever seen a camera lose so much value like the M8. If I were to buy a second one today from B&H for $5,500 then decide to sell it, I would lose at least $1,000 right off.

 

That, to me, is a gauge of how the general public feels about the camera, too risky to buy used....not good.

 

While I don't plan on selling mine any time soon, if an M9 comes out in a few years, I would still keep the M8, because for what I paid for it, it would simply not be worth it to sell it.

 

The M8 is a great camera, but compared to most other pro rigs, it is quite troublesome and the used market shows that very clearly..

 

 

I think you have hit the nail on the head. Had Leica QUICKLY addressed the numerous issues that have been in this forum since the M8 came out (not one year later and still most of the issues remain) and reliability was what it should be, the used market would reflect that consumer confidence. The fact that owners here advise new buyers to buy new rather than used to get the warranty says it all. If we were confident that the camera would not fail or exhibit problems we would be saying that and encouraging users to buy the used ones as we do with lenses.

[charlesphoto99]

After waiting 8 weeks in NJ for the flange, Leica then sent back my 28mm Summicron with a 24mm mount on it! Talk about incompetence! I have other lenses that need coding but am reticent, to say the least, about sending them off. JLM and DAG should team up.