Canon LTM Espresso and Leica Stores Don't Mix

[SolaresLarrave]

Oddly enough, they look familiar. I have a photograph of a balcony in Barcelona that shows a peculiar type of flare... if this is also flare... just like in your shots. Only in my case, it was one of a roll (and the "problem" turned out to be good for the photograph itself, which is not the case of yours).

I'll look for it later and post it here for you to see. In the meanwhile... how many of these did you get in a roll? If there were more than these two, I'd try to return the lens.

 

[larmarv916]

I have never seen a Leica lens create the "Clouding" in your photos. Second I am amazed at the concern for "fashion" related to what you lens looks like on your camera? But I would like to suggest that you strongly consider the 75mm Voigtlander as a better lens. Less compression and I think it has overall more natural perspective. You will find it an almost "extra normal" lens. You will be able to slip into situations for shooting. The lens is great at any distance or F stop. Best regards

 

[russelljtdyer]

SolaresLarrave, all but one photo from a roll of thirty-six has that clouding effect. Regarding returning the lens, I remembered a few minutes ago that the salesman gave me a card when I bought the lens. I didn't pay attention to it at the time since it was very wordy and in Italian. It occurred to me just now, though, that those are the tell-tale signs of a warranty card. I dug it out and drudged through translating it. It says that they guarantee the lens to be in perfect working condition for a year, that they will either fix any problems, or maybe replace it, or reimburse me if they can't resolve the problem--or at least it suggested that last bit in an odd, evasive, backwards way. So, I'm going to try to get a refund tomorrow.

Since it will be pay day tomorrow and I will be surrounded by fabulous equipment, I'm worried that I will leave the store with an upgrade and less money in my bank account. I'm not too excited about this possibility since it seems they're way over priced. I thought they were only a little overpriced, but now I see that I paid double what I could have paid on-line at Ffordes out of England even with shipping. Maybe I'll bring the girlfriend, give her my wallet with strict instructions not to let me buy anything, and to either take cash or thirty rolls of film in trade for the lens. I figure film is probably the only fairly priced item in the store.

Incidentally, larmarv916, my fashion sense about cameras and lenses is merely my techno-sexual nature playing a part as it does with all of my purchasing decisions. It's part of who I am; I cannot ignore it.

-Russell

 

[pagpow]

Wow. I've walked past this store on Via Dante many times and never saw it. There's so much in Milan that I still haven't discovered yet. Thanks for the tip, Giorgio (pagpow).

You're welcome. It is sort of hidden if you don't know it is there.

I bought a Leica there once, had a small problem with it. Signor Watenabe immediately suggested I return it for them to fix it. When I informed him that was a bit impractical given my location, he offered to pay for any repairs i had done out of his own pocket.

You might consider taking your lens back to your store w. the photos you posted. It might reduce the need for language skills.

 

[pagpow]

oops -- that's the trouble w. not reading the whole thread before replying, Russell. I see you have already reached the conclusion I suggested. Good luck.

 

[russelljtdyer]

Out Another 50 Euros

Out Another 50 Euros

Well, I went back to the Leica store today to see about a refund or something. They were very nice about it. I showed them the photos and they didn't try to suggest a user problem. They pulled the lens apart, examined it and said they couldn't see where there was a problem with the lens, but were willing to take it back. As I feared, though, I was talked into an upgrade.

When I was there a few days ago and bought the faulty lens, they had tried to sell me a newer version of the Leitz 'thin' Elmar 9cm f/4 telephoto lens. It was chrome with a leatherette ring at the base. The old one I bought was made in 1938, from what I can determine. This newer model was made in 1952 and in better exterior condition at least. Hopefully, an extra 14 years of experience at Leica helps. On Saturday they told me that that lens would cost me 250 euros ($337). Today they said that if I would take the exchange, they would sell me the newer lens for 200 euros ($270). Like an idiot, I agreed and handed them another 50 euros.

I still have to shoot a roll of film with this newer lens to be sure it functions well, but I suspect it will be livable. I think the pricing was better on this newer one; I don't feel as though I was burned as much as I was before, although I'm out another 50 euros. Thanks for everyone's advice and comments. I appreciate it very much.

 

[John Shriver]

That's what my bad Elmar 90/4 looks like. It was coated, but the soft coating had been mostly cleaned off, leaving the surface rather rough really. Return it.

A good one won't be particularly sharp wide open, but a blast of flare in the middle like that is a sign of a dud.

 

[russelljtdyer]

Replacement Lens Sample

Replacement Lens Sample

It took me a few days to get a clear day--it rained a good bit after I exchanged the lens--but I finally managed to get out and test the new lens. In case anyone is wondering, the results of the new lens is considerably better--especially since there's no cloudy center to the photos. Nothing spectacular about the lens, but it's alright for its price and age. Below is a sample from the roll I took a few days ago. Thanks again for everyone's feedback and advice.

 

[Rob-F]

Glad to see that you got something you are happy with. I looked up your new lens. You can rest assured, it has more than a lens stuck in each end of the tube. It has three elements in three groups. That's good news, because you won't have to worry about decementing of elements. That's because it has no cemented doublets--they are all singlets with no glue to worry about.

I looked over the MTF curves. This lens looks like a really good performer, right down to the resolution of fine detail. It improves, of course, by f/5.6, but is already very usable wide open. There is a reason why this lens has remained desirable all these years. Enjoy it!