Vario Elmar S -- Zoom not working

[GMB]

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Hi fellow S shooters.  This is again a long shot.

 

Today, all of a sudden, the zoom of my Vario Elmar S failed.  I can turn the zoom from 41-90 mm but the focal length remains unchanged. In fact, it seems that the lens is stuck at 30 mm (but the lowest I can turn to zoom to is 41 mm. 

The lens still focuses and I can also change the aperture and take photos.  The exif data records as focal length the position of the zoom. Thus, while the actual focal lenght remains the same (I believe it's 30 mm), the recorded focal length differs depending on the zoom position between 41 and 90 mm.

The frustrating aspect is that I am on a several month trip through Patagonia, that the S is my main (but fortunately not only) system and the Vario Elmar S my most used lens by far. Of course, there is no Leica repair in this part of the world. And I left my 35 mm S at home.

I have tried to pull the front part of the lens carefully but to no avail.  I have also written to Leica customer service and am waiting for their response.

Has anyone an idea or suggestion?

Attached are 2 photos of the lens.

Thanks.

Georg

Ps: I own this lens since 2013.  It has accompanied me on many travels, including the harsh and dusty environments similar to Patagonia. So far it has never failed me.

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[Stuart Richardson]

That is really an unfortunate issue. It does sound like the linkage between the zoom ring and the zoom helical has detached or broken somehow. It does not sound like something someone other than Leica can fix. I think your best bet is to send the lens back to Wetzlar and ask them if they can provide you with a lens to use. If not, your best bet is unfortunately probably to buy a replacement and have it shipped to you. It seems much of the S depreciation has already happened, so if you buy a replacement, you can probably sell it again after your lens is fixed for a similar amount that you paid for it.

[GMB]

Thanks Stuart. I just sent it back to Leica from Chile to hopefully have fixed soon. My daughter could then bring it back to Patagonia sometime next February.

Unfortunately, there are a only a few, if any, lenses available in this part of the world. And buying something elsewhere and have it shipped to Chile is likely to be a nightmare with customs (I don't even dare to to dream to have it shipped to Argentina). So have to do with the 70 mm and the 24.  Still have a M10R as backup (but I prefer the S rendering).

[GMB]

Update: I shipped the lens to Leica in November from Chile. Took 10 days to arrive and another 10 days to clear customs. Within a couple of days I received a quote from Leica for the repair. 375€. But they gave a discount of 100%, so I don't have to pay anything. Yesterday, I received an email that the work is finished. So hopefully, the lens will be with my daughter early January, and she will bring to Ushuaia, where we will meet mid-February. Kudos and big thank you to Leica.

[Milan_S]

9 hours ago, GMB said:

Update: I shipped the lens to Leica in November from Chile. Took 10 days to arrive and another 10 days to clear customs. Within a couple of days I received a quote from Leica for the repair. 375€. But they gave a discount of 100%, so I don't have to pay anything. Yesterday, I received an email that the work is finished. So hopefully, the lens will be with my daughter early January, and she will bring to Ushuaia, where we will meet mid-February. Kudos and big thank you to Leica.

That's great news, I was always a prime lens man but recently picked up a new S zoom for 2.250 euro (NIB) and it's an amazing lens. Have fun shooting

[Sarnian]

7 hours ago, Milan_S said:

picked up a new S zoom for 2.250 euro (NIB) 

That was a great price! Mine took a couple of trips to Leica to get perfectly calibrated but it's the one lens that I've kept after selling off my 007 to get a GFX100S. I can still use the 30-90mm manually focussed on a dumb adapter. It's focal range is what appeals to me. 

[GMB]

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On 12/23/2023 at 6:34 AM, Milan_S said:

That's great news, I was always a prime lens man but recently picked up a new S zoom for 2.250 euro (NIB) and it's an amazing lens. Have fun shooting

May I ask where? That’s an incredible price. 

[Milan_S]

9 hours ago, GMB said:

May I ask where? That’s an incredible price. 

At Kamera Express a retailer from Belgium & the Netherlands. Apparently it was a mistake or the only had one because a friend tried to order one too and they claimed it was a mistake…

[davidmknoble]

4 hours ago, Milan_S said:

At Kamera Express a retailer from Belgium & the Netherlands. Apparently it was a mistake or the only had one because a friend tried to order one too and they claimed it was a mistake…

I got mine used, with a recent Wetlar CLA for about 3,500 USD (new motor) in box, with hood, caps. @Milan_S, I’d call that a luck firesale!

[ynp]

Picked up my repaired S Zoom from Gaysorn in Bangkok and sent my S120 non CS to Germany for repair through them. In several months all my S lenses will be healthy. 
Great service, Leica! Thank you 🙏