Stuck Focus on dropped lens

[gwelland]

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Sad day today. I found out that 35 ASPH 'crons don't bounce when they drop onto tile floors .... I'm bummed because this is now the third 35 'cron I've had and I was intending to keep this one as it's a gem of a lens.

 

Bottom line is that I dropped a loose unpadded bag with my 'cron in it onto a tile floor and it landed with a very solid "bonk". You can safely imagine what I said ...

 

The lens looks perfect, the filter/hood didn't even get displaced but the focus ring is for all intents and purposes locked up. There seems to be no outward signs of any dents, cracks or marks on the outside of the the lens at all, including the focussing tab. The aperture ring works fine and the glass all looks perfect still. Pictures seem fine although obviously shooting at 3-5m only isn't going to be very practical!

 

My question is ... has anyone had a similar experience and was it fixable? The lens is out of warranty so I'm happy to use an independent or Leica depending upon what's economically viable. Any ideas on costs to fix this type of problem - either by Leica or elsewhere? I've got a call/email in to DAG already but I figure that the vast experience of the forum here might give me some advice.

 

Thanks in advance.

[phc]

I think we've probably all done it! Don't worry, it's perfectly fixable and it doesn't cost that much. It's due to the very tight tolerances Leica use. As I understand it the inner barrel of the lens has been knocked out of whack slightly and is touching the inside of the outer barrel.

 

It's very unlikely any permanent damage has been done and it's a pretty simple repair for a Leica tech. I was told such a thump probably wouldn't cause trouble to a lesser lens as the tolerances are much wider. Cheers, P.

[jaapv]

Yep- happened to me and it ws fixable. I don't recall what it cost - but that probably means it was not exorbitant.