Help please - Digilux 3 lens won't zoom all the way

[Simon Mac]

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Hi, first post to the forum.

 

I have been using my Digilux 3 for a few months now without a problem, mainly using the kit lens (Leica D 14-50mm Vario Elmarit), across all zoom focal lengths.

 

However, yesterday, at the end of a weekend away, I suddenly encountered a problem with the lens - it will zoom from 14mm up to halfway between the 18 and 25mm settings, but then it won't go round any further, meeting the same resistance you would normally get when you get to the full 50mm length.

 

Obviously, I haven't forced the zoom ring, because I don't want to cause irreparable damage, but can anyone give advice on what might be causing this?

 

For example, could it be a bit of grit stuck in the mechanism?

 

Hopefully it is something that can be easily fixed and there's no permanent damage, any advice gratefully received!

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[dugby]

Hello Simon and welcome to this forum. This issue has affected a couple users on this forum. If you search a few pages back you will see this thread:

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/digital-forum/47609-my-l1-leica-14-50-lens.html

 

So it may be a holiday at the Solms hospital for your lens.

 

I have the same lens, which after about 5000 shots and 50,000 km of travel is going well, for now.............

[Simon Mac]

Thanks, Dugby, that thread was helpful.

 

The zoom ring has actually freed up now, although the movement isn't quite as smooth or quiet as it was (looks like one of the other posters mentioned they only had the problem intermittently), so I'll pop into the dealer in London where I bought it next time I'm there and see what their advice is (as you said, most likely back to Solms)

 

In the meantime, I'll give this lens a rest and get to know my Summilux D 25mm a bit better

[jdlaing]

Thanks, Dugby, that thread was helpful.

 

The zoom ring has actually freed up now, although the movement isn't quite as smooth or quiet as it was (looks like one of the other posters mentioned they only had the problem intermittently), so I'll pop into the dealer in London where I bought it next time I'm there and see what their advice is (as you said, most likely back to Solms)

 

In the meantime, I'll give this lens a rest and get to know my Summilux D 25mm a bit better

 

 

I have a question for you.

 

Do you use a camera bag and if so how do you store the camera with lens attached in the bag?

[Simon Mac]

jdlaing - I have the Leica Neoprene case (occasional use) plus two Crumpler bags - one big, which will take laptop plus spare lenses etc, and one small, which will take just the Digilux plus some accessories in the external pocket.

 

In both the Crumpler bags, I store the camera lens down - I'm guessing that you're going to tell me that the problem with the lens may be due to it having the weight of the camera on top of it for so much of the time?

 

Edit: In the smaller Crumpler bag, the camera is a very tight fit and it could be that sometimes the lens is unsupported (ie not touching the bottom of the bag)

[jdlaing]

jdlaing - I have the Leica Neoprene case (occasional use) plus two Crumpler bags - one big, which will take laptop plus spare lenses etc, and one small, which will take just the Digilux plus some accessories in the external pocket.

 

In both the Crumpler bags, I store the camera lens down - I'm guessing that you're going to tell me that the problem with the lens may be due to it having the weight of the camera on top of it for so much of the time?

 

Edit: In the smaller Crumpler bag, the camera is a very tight fit and it could be that sometimes the lens is unsupported (ie not touching the bottom of the bag)

 

I use the neoprene case as well and also store the camera nose down 98 percent of the time.

 

I was wondering if you stored it flat and with jostling around got some extra stress.

 

A while back there were a few of these lenses, mostly the Lumix, that had a screw internal to the tube back out a few threads and lock up or limit the zoom.

 

I suspect that might be the case with yours.

 

I have had the L1 and the Digilux three for a year and a half and both of my lenses work well to this day.

 

I use the 14-50 from the Digilux 3 on my Olympus E-3 as well and it gets a lot of changing.

 

Best of luck in getting it corrected.

 

PS: I'm trying to find a Crumpler bag right now and not having much luck.

[cookjim]

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It appears to be a common problem with this lens, also there are reports of the front element coming loose. It is not up to Leica standards, they may have designed the optics but the build quality falls well short of Solms standards. I now only use Leica "R" prime lenses with the Leica built 4/3 adaptor. The picture quality is now higher than the Vario lens ever produced.

[imnotaniceboy]

i had the same problem and i also store de camera with the lens facing down and body attach. Maybe to much stress for the lens as you said.