S lens motor dying - how to know?

[spiffariffic]

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I recently scored an S (006) with a replaced sensor + 70mm Summarit for an excellent price! I'm over the moon. What a beast. 

The lens has not had the motor replaced.

How can I tell if it's on the way out? 

It does hunt a bit and make sorta squeaky-grindy noises when racking focus close in dimmer indoor light, but it's not especially loud, and some of my older lenses for other systems make similar noises — and their motors are not prone to failure. It focuses at further distances, especially in sunlight, without the sound effects.

Does a healthy lens make noise under these circumstances, or is that definitely a sign it needs to go in ASAP?

I'm assuming it's very important to get it serviced before it fails? I'm just wondering if I absolutely have to send it in now, or if this is within the realm of normal so I can use it for a bit to get used to the system (and snag another lens to use) first. Assuming it'll take quite a while to get it back.

Thanks!

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[John McMaster]

In my experience they just go, my 120 worked fine one minute but motor had gone a short time later (S2-P).  No need to have it serviced before it fails if you do not want to.

john

[Pieter12]

There's no hurry, except Leica will take a few months or more to service the lens. If the motor fails the lens will still focus manually, it is not out of commission.

[Guest]

Amazon is selling cats now?

Congrats on the 006, probably the best colors of the entire S line. Requires good light, though. The lens will just fail to focus, you'll be left with MF. You could also send an email to Leica with the serial # of the lens and ask if the AF motor has been replaced at some point. If not, it's a 400USD outlay (give or take).

[Jeff S]

1 hour ago, Pieter12 said:

If the motor fails the lens will still focus manually, it is not out of commission.

Not the situation experienced by some members when this issue was discussed at length here; circumstances and results varied.

Jeff

[John McMaster]

8 hours ago, Pieter12 said:

If the motor fails the lens will still focus manually, it is not out of commission.

Not always, most of mine were able to focus manually but the 120mm was jammed and un-focusable...

john

[Stuart Richardson]

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Yeah, one of my lenses also failed and focus became detached entirely, so it was no longer able to focus. The focusing ring would turn, but the lens elements would not move. I would say that if it has lasted as long as this, it is likely to last further. I would use it until you have a period when you are able to be without the lens for awhile (winter?). You can also just use it to failure. The focusing gear failing does not seem to cause any other damage to the lens. The sounds you are hearing are probably normal. The S lenses are pretty loud and a bit squeaky sounding when they focus. They are not using ultrasonic motors, but older screw drive focus.

Edited March 18, 2024 by Stuart Richardson

[LeicaR10]

Spiffariffic,   First, welcome to the S forum.  As you might have noticed there are number of experienced S photographers that have a wealth of knowledge and willing to offer their sage advice to include myself.  Second, as Sturart and a few others mentioned, the S lenses will make a grinding type noise.  The 70 Summarit will do so as well, its not a sign of failure.  You will know if the lens motor gives up the ghost, it often simply will either grind to a halt or simply not function.  I was in the Leica Store in San Francisco a few years ago and was testing 2 S lenses...both died on me.  Sean the store owner, thinks I have black cloud over me...LOL.  Anyways, it does happen.  I also recommend HandsoSand advice at Post #4 of emailing the Leica Customer Care Center at Wetzlar and ask if your lens AF motor was replaced.  Right now, it takes 3-4 weeks for AF motor replacement at Wetzlar according to Sean.  Just so you know, when the lens goes in for AF motor replacement, the whole lens gets a total make over and comes back in top condition.  Also, if you are looking to get a few more S lenses, they are real bargins.  Several dealers like Camera West, Leica Store San Francisco, Leica Store Miami have a number of S lenses at bargin prices with the AF motors replaced.  Just make sure you get the Leica Service card that states the AF motor was replaced.  Last, you will the find the S cameras to be stellar for their unique cinematic rendering and color.  If you get the S lens bug, David Farkas wrote a very good guide on S lenses that will help you.  The link is below.  Happy S camera shooting!  r/ Mark

Try:  https://www.reddotforum.com/content/2020/04/the-definitive-guide-to-leica-s-lenses/

Edited March 18, 2024 by LeicaR10

[Sailronin]

I had the motors fail on both my 120 macro and 70mm. Both were abrupt failures, there was no warning so nothing to watch for in advance.  Just enjoy the camera and use the lens until it fails (if it hasn't failed by now in all likelihood it will be fine for years to come).  By the way, I used my 120 macro for about a year in manual focus as the focus peaking in camera is so accurate. 

[Pieter12]

8 hours ago, LeicaR10 said:

Spiffariffic,   First, welcome to the S forum.  As you might have noticed there are number of experienced S photographers that have a wealth of knowledge and willing to offer their sage advice to include myself.  Second, as Sturart and a few others mentioned, the S lenses will make a grinding type noise.  The 70 Summarit will do so as well, its not a sign of failure.  You will know if the lens motor gives up the ghost, it often simply will either grind to a halt or simply not function.  I was in the Leica Store in San Francisco a few years ago and was testing 2 S lenses...both died on me.  Sean the store owner, thinks I have black cloud over me...LOL.  Anyways, it does happen.  I also recommend HandsoSand advice at Post #4 of emailing the Leica Customer Care Center at Wetzlar and ask if your lens AF motor was replaced.  Right now, it takes 3-4 weeks for AF motor replacement at Wetzlar according to Sean.  Just so you know, when the lens goes in for AF motor replacement, the whole lens gets a total make over and comes back in top condition.  Also, if you are looking to get a few more S lenses, they are real bargins.  Several dealers like Camera West, Leica Store San Francisco, Leica Store Miami have a number of S lenses at bargin prices with the AF motors replaced.  Just make sure you get the Leica Service card that states the AF motor was replaced.  Last, you will the find the S cameras to be stellar for their unique cinematic rendering and color.  If you get the S lens bug, David Farkas wrote a very good guide on S lenses that will help you.  The link is below.  Happy S camera shooting!  r/ Mark

Try:  https://www.reddotforum.com/content/2020/04/the-definitive-guide-to-leica-s-lenses/

My 120 repair took about 6 weeks last July. Someone posted on another thread that the wait now was up to 5 months. When my 120 focus failed, the motor spinned but the lens did not focus, although I could still focus manually.

[albireo_double]

All my six S lenses have had failed AF motors by now, some even twice. My Super Symmar-S 3.5 / 24mm gave up the ghost yesterday. Lens buzzing but not moving on AF (focuses fine manually). Back to Wetzlar, for the second time. Let's see if they repair it for free again - their internal rules say that they will not, but we will see if my sales manager can twist their arm again. Even if the future S4 is the best MF digital camera that ever graced the Earth, they will not see my money. Comes from a man who picked up his SL3 on Saturday...but of course, SL lenses do not fail...but then again, some people's clients would not accept images taken with SL cameras and would accept only images from the S 🙄😅 (end of rant and apologies - I've been following this forum for too long and I should not drink red wine while contributing here 🫣). Cheers!

Edited March 18, 2024 by albireo_double

[Sarnian]

19 hours ago, Pieter12 said:

My 120 repair took about 6 weeks last July. Someone posted on another thread that the wait now was up to 5 months. When my 120 focus failed, the motor spinned but the lens did not focus, although I could still focus manually.

I sent my 70mm CS off yesterday afternoon and it was delivered to Leica this morning - less than 24 hours later (Guernsey to Germany)! Let's see how long Leica takes to turn it around. 

[spiffariffic]

Thanks, all! I forgot to tell it to email me replies so just noticing these and reading them all. 

[spiffariffic]

On 3/17/2024 at 4:05 PM, HandofSand said:

Amazon is selling cats now?
 

No, they're selling cat castles. Important distinction! 

$400 repair seems well within reason considering the deal I got, that's good to hear! 

[spiffariffic]

On 3/18/2024 at 12:19 AM, John McMaster said:

Not always, most of mine were able to focus manually but the 120mm was jammed and un-focusable...

john

That sucks, I'm sorry! Was the lens damaged? Did the repair cost any more than standard? I assumed it might be worse off if I wait til it goes…

[John McMaster]

This was back in 2016 in France, I dropped it in to 'local' Leica dealers (together with my M9 and CCD Monochrom, both with sensor fungus).  A couple of weeks later I collected, free of charge, but I got a different 120mm back - it was beyond my French to understand exactly why, but something to do with my original not be repairable (I think!)....

john

[Sarnian]

On 3/19/2024 at 1:25 PM, Sarnian said:

I sent my 70mm CS off yesterday afternoon and it was delivered to Leica this morning - less than 24 hours later (Guernsey to Germany)! Let's see how long Leica takes to turn it around. 

Great value (which includes return postage) although they do advertise a 5-month turnaround for S lenses(!).

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Edited April 4, 2024 by Sarnian

[kristyansen]

Is there a way to understand if a Leica S Lens had the new AF engine already based on the production date?
 

Eg I am envisioning to acquire a Summarit S 70CS from 2014  that did not have any AF changed, but it works it seems. But I was wondering whether there was a moment, after the AF problem became known, after which all S lenses had the new AF engine built in already when they were produced by Leica? 

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[LeicaR10]

Kristyansen,   It took Leica a couple years to find a new AF motor and gear that would not break.  This was around 2016/17 with no specific date announced to my knowledge or 12 years experience with the system since the earliest days.  The easy way to find out if your lens AF motor was replaced with the "fix" is to email Leica Customer Care with your lens type and Serial Number.  They will let you know if the lens had the latest AF motor replaced and date of replacement.  r/ Mark

Try:  customer-care@leica-camera.com

PS  You can also ask if the Central Shutter was replaced as well.

Edited April 8, 2024 by LeicaR10

[Sarnian]

On 3/19/2024 at 1:25 PM, Sarnian said:

I sent my 70mm CS off yesterday afternoon and it was delivered to Leica this morning - less than 24 hours later (Guernsey to Germany)! Let's see how long Leica takes to turn it around. 

My lens is fixed! So, that was 3 weeks. Pretty good if you ask me. 👍