Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I can see the point about the slight paint spread on the dial (try wiping over with a rag and IPA) but black chrome is an industrial finish and dipped and dunked in a tank of chemicals, there is no human finishing possible and no fine control. You get what you ordered, an industrial finish.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I know which is why I have not bought a new Leica since an M6TTL sometime in the 1990's.  I have a mint 50th anniversary M4 which could only be better in black paint but I don't know if any anniversary models were made with a black paint finish.  Since the only real difference between an MA and M4 is the rewind knob vs crank and frame lines in the viewfinder, I will stay with the M4 which was made at the height of Leica's film cameras.  Only thing better might be a really really nice M2.  And I prefer the tilted crank on the M4 and the rapid film loading but think the M2's viewfinder is the best thing Leica ever did.

Edited by ktmrider2
  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, 250swb said:

I can see the point about the slight paint spread on the dial (try wiping over with a rag and IPA) but black chrome is an industrial finish and dipped and dunked in a tank of chemicals, there is no human finishing possible and no fine control. You get what you ordered, an industrial finish.

I did not know that. Thanks for the information.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Since it was bought from an unauthorised dealer I would think the buyer takes a calculated risk with the camera which doesn’t leave much room for complaining about minor imperfections and Leica’s qc.  
Who knows where this camera has been before being sold on the grey market.

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Advertisement (gone after registration)

1 hour ago, Ouroboros said:

Since it was bought from an unauthorised dealer I would think the buyer takes a calculated risk with the camera which doesn’t leave much room for complaining about minor imperfections and Leica’s qc.  
Who knows where this camera has been before being sold on the grey market.

To add here: Bought my brand new M-A few months ago from an authorised dealer and had the exact paint issue on the shutter dial. 

Easy fix of course.  ...Just asking myself who signs-off that stuff.

Great camera though and can not think of any better alternative today (even if Voigtländer or C.Zeiss would still offer us brand new rangefinders*).

*would still purchase any day a Voigtländer or C.Z. rangefinder too. Great photography tools. 

Link to post
Share on other sites

I never thought to check these things with my new MP - I was just too excited about going out and taking photos with it. I've just checked it and my Q2 now and can't see any imperfections, though I can't say I looked that hard. I'm glad Leica doesn't sell this as jewellery, but reading threads like this tell me other people's mileage really does vary.

In this case the OP clearly got it at a massive discount because a bit of paint slipped. I wish I could find such offers.

Leica has been known to sell what I think they call 'Q' issues, which are fully refurbished cameras that have been lightly used in store, or customer returns, or with minor cosmetic imperfections. My original SL was a Q version at a good (not "massive") discount, and came with a full warranty.

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

When I see such sloppiness in a quasi-luxury product, I expect this sloppiness to extend into all aspects of the company/product, including things I can't see. It's a signal. 

On the flip side, if you get an incredible product/experience, you expect that to permeate across everything the brand touches. If I go to a higher-end restaurant with really minute but interesting details, I expect to see that reflected in the food as well. 

But in all honesty, seeing this and then seeing the recent issues across the M6, M11, and general lens QC issues, this perspective isn't necessarily incorrect. If such glaring and visible issues are getting through, then it's likely a company-wide issue. 

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, ktmrider2 said:

Is anything made. by humans "perfect"?  Actually, the MP stands for mechanical perfection, not the MA.

Correct, M-A stands for Mechanically Acceptable.

In house it is called the Leica GE - Good Enough - but that doesn’t work with the M system naming convention.

Edited by Huss
  • Thanks 2
  • Haha 5
Link to post
Share on other sites

22 hours ago, ktmrider2 said:

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  It is a camera, not a piece of jewelry!

Indeed.  My Kodak H35 that I bought new last year for $40 apparently is a piece of jewelry as it has zero cosmetic flaws.

I am glad that jewelry costs $40, while a camera costs $5500.

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!

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

23 hours ago, Pyrogallol said:

But at jewellery prices you should expect perfection.

But according to Leica marketing blurb, you should see 'small imperfections as an important part of the journey' when shooting 'analog'. Obviously this now applies to the camera finish as well...

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

12 minutes ago, Anbaric said:

But according to Leica marketing blurb, you should see 'small imperfections as an important part of the journey' when shooting 'analog'. Obviously this now applies to the camera finish as well...

 

I guess I went on a h3ll of a journey with my new M6 then!

  • Haha 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

32 minutes ago, Al Brown said:

@Cam_Han there is a premium to be paid for the M-A, I strongly suggest you ACCEPT NO IMPERFECTIONS and return the body, rate on Google and everywhere else while at it. We need to put an end to this sloppy QC and anarchy Leica is imposing.

He bought it at a “massive discount”, apparently used. 

Link to post
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, CSGreene said:

I find it both hilarious and sad that some would defend Leica in this instance.  As one member pointed out, if they're so sloppy with external finishing, it's reasonable to expect sloppy internals as well.

Get used to it.   When I first posted about my brand new M6 scratching film, many here said that was ok.

Of course Leica eventually admitted they had a batch of defective pressure plates..

  • Like 3
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...