Leica quality?

[summilux]

I got a LHSA MP3 set yesterday, but upon inspection I found there is a crack along the focusing patch mirror, I am speechless. Don't they have a quality control nowadays? The Leicavit's open/close handle is also loose...😡

 

[kbg32]

Who did you buy the camera from?

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

I think I know who your dealer is, and he will make it right, he prides himself on customer service.

You're right on Leica QC, however, not living up to the level of their prices.

sorry to hear of your hassles

 

[summilux]

I bought it from Popflash, it was listed as used, but it looks new to me, hidden surprise is of course the cracked patch mirror.


Tony Rose said he is sorry to learn it, asked me to return the camera either to Leica USA or to him, because the camera is still under warranty, although the included form is one of those for refurbished one, I don't know anything about the history of the set, has it already been to Leica USA for service? Tony is tight lipped on this, and I did not want to be troublesome. Tony said I have to pay for the return shipping fee on my own, oh well...

I have heard quite a few complaints from buyers of brand new MP, mainly the shark skin cover shows air bubble already, screw on the speed dial is loose right of the box etc.

 

[peter_n]

You're right on Leica QC, however, not living up to the level of their prices.

Unfortunately you are right Tom. I bought 24 & 90 ASPH lenses last year and both had to be returned because they were stiff/binding. I returned two new 50 Summicrons for the same reason earlier. Not good.

 

[Mazurka]

So many people utter the mantra "it's not Leica quality" when they talk about Cosina-made products. From now on we should take that as endorsement. 😉

 

[Turtle]

Thats a real pain. As for the lenses, there seems to be variation with lenses of varuios brands. When I got my 28,35 and 50 ZMs all were very smooth and of medium tension, altho the 28 was stiffer in one direction. The 28 is freeing up in the one direction and I had to return the 50 for a speck inside. My new 50 was so stiff on first use I thought I would break it to focus it the first time I used it. However it is freeing up quickly now it seems, but still a tonne stiffer than the others. none of my other lenses were nearly this stiff, so it is weird. I too got an LHSA set thru and the 50 lux is a touch stiff but has that new feel so wil loosen up. it is however smooth and seems very well made indeed. And there I was thinking that all Zeiss and Leica lenses would come out of the facgtory about the same, brand for brand, of similarr tension etc...

 

[summilux]

two of my heliopan filter, although the same spec, have different coatings, so I think coating variation exists.

as to the crack in the patch mirror, I have emailed Solms, they say just send it back, they seems less troubled with warranty and all that. sometimes they can be very generous. I consider myself lucky in this instance, not everyone is blessed with the opportunity of being hit by a silver bullet.

the ZM glass has very nice aperture feel, it is more dampened than Leica's. The Leica seems very thin by comparison. but boy, the zeiss is certainly value for money, and price is getting cheaper, unlike Leica.

i have just gotten the Heliar 50/2, it is certainly much better much than the nearest Leica comparison, Elmar 50/2.8. I think Cosina is a very promising company.

 

[Pablito]

Tony said I have to pay for the return shipping fee on my own, oh well...

That does not seem right. He shipped a defective item. Most mail order houses will pay return postage when they ship a defective item....

 

[Krosya]

Lower expectations

Lower expectations

Unfortunately you are right Tom. I bought 24 & 90 ASPH lenses last year and both had to be returned because they were stiff/binding. I returned two new 50 Summicrons for the same reason earlier. Not good.

This is terrible. If Leica is going down the drain - this is why. It's too bad as it used to be a great camera maker. I suppose people have no pride in their product anymore. Sad news. I guess we will be left with digital only soon. Not because there will be no film, but because noone can make a decent camera anymore. Thank God for a huge supply of older used gear.

 

[tkluck]

It's gotta work right.
Someone needs to "get it". Niche markets can flourish if managed properly. There is a market and Leica doesn't get it.
Minox does. Well healed bird watchers buy the binoculars and support the legacy camera production.
No over priced hunting rifle would be complete without a Leica scope! (if they made and marketed them again...) And the don't promote their spotting scopes very well.
These goodies sell to rich people who don't give a crap about the price. Hire somebody from Rollex, or any Vagas hotel, or and Leica's troubles will end.
Management style is not important, only delivering the quality goods.
Paul Sr. from OCC could straighten those square heads out in a week!

 

[x-ray]

Leica quality has slipped over the years I've used them. I purchased a new MP a la carte last year and the ISO dial is loose. I'll send it back before the warranty is up. My 90 apo was binding and had to be worked on and my 35 v4 summicron and 50 tabbed summicron (sold that one) developed a worn focusing helix. The 50 was binding bad at 3ft and the v4 35 slops around in the helix like it is a shoe size too big for the lens.

 

[summilux]

the Leicavit that comes with the MP3 has a loose base screw, the one that is attached to the open/close knob, I have to take out a screw driver and tighten it up myself, even then it is still a bit loose when compared with a normal Leicavit that I purchased 2 years ago.

if the workforce take pride in what they do, these sort of things should never have happened.