Bummer: Leica CL Interior Scratch due to Defective New TTArtisan AF 75mm f2

[thegraduate]

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Unfortunately, my otherwise mint condition Leica CL which is still under warranty, now has a circular scratch inside the lens mount on the black matte outermost bezel/frame due to a defective new purchase TTArtisan 75mm AF f2. 

I have reached out to Leica Service New Jersey and am told the cost to eliminate the scratch is estimated upwards $500. I don't know if this frame can be replaced or repaired, or if it is even worth the expense at this point. The sensor is much deeper than the scratched frame, is intact with no damage and there are no issues with the quality of images. 

I am not yet sure what I will do but this is at least fair warning to others regarding this particular TTA lens. Amazon has shipped me a replacement lens but even the replacement seems to have the interior most element projecting ever so slightly from the bayonet, but much lesser compared to the culprit lens. I am reluctant trying it and suspect the replacement may also be defective, unless someone can tell me the replacement is good. The only way I can tell it's OK is standing the lens on the bayonet end to see if it sits level, or wobbles due to a projecting innermost element. The replacement has (almost) no wobble versus the culprit which has a lot of wobble. 

I am actually too scared at this point to mount the replacement as the only sure way to know is if it no longer inflicts any scratches.... which is obv an unacceptable method, and TTA should adhere to a stricter QC with these lenses. I have explained how their lens damaged my CL and all they are willing to do is get me a replacement lens.

 

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Edited September 10 by thegraduate

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[KitW]

Thanks for the warning.

I suggest you forget about the scratch. 

[LocalHero1953]

In your shoes I would forget about the scratch - it makes no difference to your photos - and I'd forget about the TTArtisans lens: try to get a refund. 

[Stuart Richardson]

The scratch is a non-issue as far as functionality...certainly not worth a 500 dollar repair. That is just a cosmetic part of the body. L mount is designed to support full frame, so it needs to have a larger mount ring, and since APS is only using part of that space, there is a plastic cover to shield the internal parts around the sensor. Many lenses extend beyond the bayonet into the camera body...I am not sure of TT Artisan's design spec here, but they list the CL as compatible, so it is their fault. Still, it is marketed as a full frame lens and sold in several mounts. They might have just assumed it would work on the APS cameras as well as the full frame ones. That lens is barely intruding past the bayonet at all, so perhaps they did not realize there was so little space in the CL. Lots of M lenses protrude far deeper into the body than that, particularly things like the collapsible lenses. I have not used a CL, so I cannot comment on how much space there is, but it seems like way less than in the SL cameras. I used the 35mm Summilux FLE on the Leica T and that seemed to have no trouble, while extending further in I think...it is a bit bizarre. 

Edited September 10 by Stuart Richardson

[tommonego@gmail.com]

TT Artisans is fairly responsive, this is their issue. I would contact who ever you bought it from and say you want to return it, with your evidence it should be no problem. Look at the Voigtlander 75 f1.5 Nokton, a little more money but a more reputable company. 

[jaapv]

500$ for lick of matte black paint, which is not needed anyway? Seriously? 

[michali]

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TTArtisan QC issues aside, this comes with the territory, most of my cameras have had these scratches over the years. Even my relatively new SL3 has them. In my case it's user inflicted, mainly when hastily changing lenses in the field. 

My advice, like others here, come to terms with it & move on. If it really bothers you take a flat black permanent marker & smudge over the area. 

 

[LocalHero1953]

I am sure that any attempt to use paint or a marker would result in an even more obvious mark. The only way to eliminate it entirely would be to replace the baffle; I guess this is what Leica proposes - hence $500, mainly for the labour, including testing afterwards.

[jaapv]

I know, though invisible repair should be quite possible by a competent antiques restorer - but it would be akin to replacing a top plate for the first minor scratch.  One wonders how a CL (or any camera) can be mint and used as an image-taking tool at the same time.