35mm Nokton f1.2 Aperature blade failure!

[eleskin]

Four months ago, I bought a 35 mm Nokton from Cameraquest for my M8. I have been thrilled with the performance of this lens until now. It seems my aperature blades are not opening in a circular shape, but an oval, and will not go wider than f 4.0 or so. It seems a few blades are out of allignment. This has never happened to me with any lens before. Is this a quality issue? No Leica lens I have ever did this. I really bougt this thing for f1.2. Maybe I should have the blades removed and use this only for
low light. I do not know if I can trust it for reliability unless I have the blades removed. I will probably send it back to Cameraquest for a fix (warrenty should still be ok), but if it happens again, I will have the blades removed, and if I want smaller f stops, I will use my trusty and reliable 35mm Summicron v4. This is sad because I really love this Nokton.

 

[ampguy]

good it's under warranty

good it's under warranty

It is good you got it from an authorized dealer and it's under warranty. Haven't heard of this exact problem, but have heard of the blades just falling out and not functioning at all. I'd keep the 35 'cron around as a backup, but that's just me, I like reliable things.

Four months ago, I bought a 35 mm Nokton from Cameraquest for my M8. I have been thrilled with the performance of this lens until now. It seems my aperature blades are not opening in a circular shape, but an oval, and will not go wider than f 4.0 or so. It seems a few blades are out of allignment. This has never happened to me with any lens before. Is this a quality issue? No Leica lens I have ever did this. I really bougt this thing for f1.2. Maybe I should have the blades removed and use this only for
low light. I do not know if I can trust it for reliability unless I have the blades removed. I will probably send it back to Cameraquest for a fix (warrenty should still be ok), but if it happens again, I will have the blades removed, and if I want smaller f stops, I will use my trusty and reliable 35mm Summicron v4. This is sad because I really love this Nokton.

 

[back alley]

just bad luck on your part, send it in for a fix and i'll bet all will be fine.

 

[Ljós]

but if it happens again, I will have the blades removed, and if I want smaller f stops, I will use my trusty and reliable 35mm Summicron v4. This is sad because I really love this Nokton.

eleskin, I think your (understandable, since you bought new and it is only four months since you got it) inital disappointment might be clouding your reasoning for the moment... Seriously, you would want the blades removed to have it "stuck" at f1.2? First of all, I am pretty sure this can be sorted out, and from all I have heard about this lens, it is not a typical problem (thus not likely to return once properly fixed.) Then, it is a rangefinder lens, no auto-diaphragm. You can always see what the blades do (or don't), no surprises as with a SLR lens which might seriously overexpose when the blades do not close (fast enough).
But I feel your pain, the Nokton is a top of the line VC lens, and you must be disappointed. If it is any consolation, think about the experiences RFF member xray has reported with numerous high ticket Leica lenses... stuff happens. Steven Gandy will make this right.
All the best, Ljós

 

[Krosya]

I do wonder how rare this is. I have this lens and it works Ok for now. But as it is out of warranty, I do worry, as I have heard same or similar story about this particular lens. Good thing that you have warranty, cause otherwise it would almost be easier to buy a new one than pay CQ what they charge for a repair. A shame - lens this good and this expensive shouldnt fall apart 4 months after purchase. This is why I always have a backup.

 

[Fujitsu]

No Leica lens I have ever did this.

I had this happen on a 30 year old Noctilux, the blades were pretty messed up. I sent it to Leica and to my surprise they fixed it for free (!). Guess you get what you paid for in the beginning...

 

[buckpago]

I think this is isolated case, I have my nokton for two yeas now, I use it every day. abuse use marks are present. I dont have any issue on it. the aperture ring is sitl tight as the new one.