Anyone found any fake new Leica M lenses?

[defektive]

Has anyone else wondered if their (very expensive) new Leica M lens is a fake? I just received my new elmar 24mm f3.8 lens in the post and the circular ring plate with the serial number had fallen off inside the hood. It looks as though it was held on by 3 spots of glue. I have no other reason to believe it is a fake - it came with hood, warranty card, inspection card, leica box, manual, quality leather pouch and the seller had good feedback. From what I have heard Leica's build quality is exceptional so I was a litte surprised. The rest of the lens looks A1 and seems to be solidly built. My camera hasn't arrived yet so I can't test it for a couple of days.

 

[ChrisN]

You're not sending the lens back?

 

[defektive]

You're not sending the lens back?

Well, I could but I'd have the cost and hassle of international postage and I don't think it's worth it if it is just a matter of glueing the part back on.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

I'd send it back if I didn't have a camera to test it with. It's almost certainly not a counterfeit but instead a bit of an error on the part of Leica. You can probably call them up and inquire about the issue. If the beauty ring glue just came apart then it's ok but you've got a real issue in the case that the beauty ring is a threaded in piece as most of their lenses are. Maybe they changed things for this recent lens.
Good luck!
BTW, I've been to Tasmania twice while I was in the US Navy and it was one of my favorite ports to visit.

Phil Forrest

 

[af_]

I was surprised to find out that on my Summicron-C the ring in front of the aperture ring was just glued (the one the hood is attached to).

 

[Roger Hicks]

How are you going to fake a lens? Making them in small quantities would probably cost so much that you'd have to charge more than Leica does.

Cheers,

R.

 

[hugivza]

Modern adhesives are used in a variety of applications, like gluing hip replacements in place, space shuttle thermal protection tiles etc. Their use should not infer cheap or counterfeit products, but in this instance it probably demonstrates a lack of quality control. Leica would have a duty replace a defective new product under warranty. As Roger indicates foregoing, the costs would be prohibitive to produce counterfeits, even allowing for non German labour rates.

 

[defektive]

Thanks for your replies,
Not having had any past experience with Leica gear I thought it was worth a question.

Cheers.

 

[ChrisN]

Even if you have to reglue the trim yourself, you have a great lens there, and some of the world's best scenery to play in. But you are still waiting for a camera! I'm interested in why you chose 24mm for a first lens, and what body you'll use it with. I quite enjoy 24mm myself (only a Pentax 24/2.8 unfortunately, but I like the perspective for some situations). Have fun!

 

[defektive]

Even if you have to reglue the trim yourself, you have a great lens there, and some of the world's best scenery to play in. But you are still waiting for a camera! I'm interested in why you chose 24mm for a first lens, and what body you'll use it with. I quite enjoy 24mm myself (only a Pentax 24/2.8 unfortunately, but I like the perspective for some situations). Have fun!

Thanks Chris,
Do you know if it is as simple as just putting a blob of super glue on the ring and sticking it on are there areas on the lens where the ring sits that I need to avoid placing glue on?

The camera has cleared customs so I'm hopeful of it's arrival in the next day or two😀.

I went with the 24 for a few reasons:
1) I want to keep my kit to 2 or 3 lenses at most and when I was shooting Pentax with a 1.5 crop factor 20mm was the widest I used so I figured 24 will do for my widest lens on a 1.33 factor.
2) All the talk about this lens suggests it is extremely good value for money (under $2000) and I couldn't afford a new summicron or elmarit.
3) It left me enough money to also buy a hexanon 50mm f2 which is on it's way to me as well.
4) I would like to improve my compositional skills and I think having a wide (for me) lens as one of only two lenses in my arsenal will help with that.
5) I fell into the trap of constantly trading lenses to get "the best one" in my SLR days so when I started with this system I wanted to invest with the idea of keeping every lens that I buy.

I think the 24/50 combination should work well for me and I will probably get a fast 35 or 40 down the track for low light work.

Cheers,
Sam

 

[ChrisN]

Ah - yep - good plan. I've settled for just a 35 on the M4 (although I still have a 50/2.8 Elmar that needs a new home!). I did collect an OM-1 on the weekend, and I'd like to get a 28 to go with the 50. It is very tempting to acquire more lenses, especially when that 85/2 is so sweet ... 😱

Not sure about that re-glueing job, as I've never seen an example of the new Elmar designs. I'd guess that all it needs is a slightly bigger dab of glue adjacent to the original spots, but I think I'd send an email to Sherry Krauter (http://www.sherrykrauter.com/) or Dan (Don?) Goldberg (http://www.dagcamera.com/) for their advice. Both these two are highly-respected Leica experts - there are others of course. Did you buy the lens through the Australian agents?

Don't forget to post some pics of (with) the new kit! And keep an eye open for our member Fixbones in Launceston. Cheers!