Firmware issue on APO 75!

[tpf1952]

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I ordered and received two new APO lenses; the 50 and the 75 a few days ago. So enthralled with the 50 that I didn’t get around to using the 75 until this evening. After installing the 75 on my SL2s (with current camera firmware) the camera won’t function. At all. After a few minuted, text appears in the EVF: “Lens firmware not supported. Please update firmware."

I would if I could. I downloaded the latest lens firmware from Leica, sllens10.plf, installed it in the root directory of my SD card and inserted in my camera. But no dice: since the camera is not functioning with this lens attached, I can’t access menus to start the update process.

I’m dead in the water. Will return the lens to my dealer tomorrow and ask them to sort this out.

Anyone ever hit this wall before?

Background: I have two other APO lenses, the aforementioned 50 and a 28. If I put either of these lenses on my SL2s, everything works fine. 

Flabbergasted.

Tom

 

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[LeicaR10]

Tpf1952,   This happened only once to me with my SL Apo 50.  I wiped the lens and camera contacts, did a camera reset and lens worked fine.  My other SL lenses had no issues.  Maybe others will chime in with suggestions.  Worse case, take the camera and lens to the dealer and let them sort it out as you wrote.  Since the lens is new, the dealer should swap out the 75 and not send yours back to Leica for warranty.   Leica NJ would authorize the swap out.  So don't let them tell you otherwise.   r/ Mark 

[tpf1952]

Thanks for your reply, Mark. I’ll do as you suggest immediately.

Talk about a first-world problem! 

Tom

 

[tpf1952]

Mark,

Just a follow up: tried your approach, and the lens won’t have it. After wiping the contacts and resetting the camera, I powered it off, attached the 75, switched on the camera and within one second I received the “red screen of death."

Back to the store. Regardless, your response is much appreciated.

Tom

[LeicaR10]

Tpf1952,   You gave it a good go.  I suggest you also take your SL 50 that does work along with the SL 75 to prove your point.  It will be interesting to learn what the store does for you.  I would expect a swap out with no questions.  r/ Mark

PS  Be sure to take the SL 75 box, all the package materials and receipt with you too.  They will need that for the swap out.

[Steven Lane]

The same thing happened to my 75 and had to be returned to Germany for repair so I was without it for a few months. I purchased the lens brand new a couple of years prior to this happening and it developed other problems after just a few months of use. It had to go back to Germany for disassembly. The lens was an absolute dud but Leica would not exchange it for a new one. It has left a very sour taste in my mouth regarding the reliability of the SL APO’s to the point where I have been selling them off and have just the 35 left.

Hopefully you can get yours swapped out straight away and not be left in a situation similar to what I was in. During my time of ownership, Leica had the lens almost as long as I had it!

[Planetwide]

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Try taking the battery out with the lens attached. Insert the battery and turn it on. Look in the viewfinder, as I have found that the screen does not come alive for some reason. You should see the lens updating in the viewfinder...

[LocalHero1953]

The same thing happened with my Apo 75 SL - it died after a firmware update. In my case it took 9 months for Leica to repair it (zero feedback until prodded, then "waiting for parts" - hah, for a current lens?), which has coloured my opinion of Leica's service department ever since.

Edited March 11 by LocalHero1953

[carlosgavina]

What was the combination when that happened? 75 APO on a Leica SL2 / SL2-S with 6.1.0 installed?

Is there a pattern?

[tpf1952]

A replacement APO 75 SL arrived today in working order. Crisis resolved. Thank you all for your responses!

[davidmknoble]

Since there were repairs involved, and ‘waiting on parts” I wonder if there was a flash memory issue or a bad board issue? 

It is ironic in that the only two APO Primes I do not have are the 75 and the 21.  I use the M versions for those focal lengths and have had zero problems with any of my primes, using them on the coast with SL2-S and SL2, then upgrading to SL3. 

So, the question remains, wondering what the actual issue with all the 75’s was?

 

[tpf1952]

David,

Since I was able to exchange my 75, I dodged the repair issue. So I’ll never know the cause of the malfunction. I’m just glad my replacement 75 works without issue. 
 

Tom