Leica Service Opinion Please

[mountainrivera]

I have a 90mm apo I believed was front focussing wide open and spent the better part of four months sending it back and forth with DAG. DAG was sure he put it in specs and was ready to send it again when i had the chance to mount it on another m8 body where it focused perfectly. So I deducted it was the body (lens works on two M8s - DAG's and a friend's) and sent the body and lens to leica. Six weeks later - today - I get a call from Leica's Dave Elwell who said the did have to adj my body's RF and CCD but the lens was still front focussing. I pointed out that the lens worked on two other bodies and wasn't convinced my body is fixed. He said the tried the lens on other bodies and tried other 90s on mine and said it was the lens. He said he would adj the lens but it would cost $170!! Anyone have an opinion on this? Is it possible that two bodies are out of alignment and Leica is shooting it straight with me? This Leica ownership experience is really horrible I have to say.

 

[tmfabian]

sounds like a classic case of having both items within tolerances but on the opposite ends of the tolerance scale. If you really get nit picky about it you can have the lens and body calibrated together to be matched. Lenses with very shallow DoF often run into this problem and the solution is almost always matching that lens to a specific body.

 

[mountainrivera]

Called again today just to verify that they with certainty they ruled out the camera body as being the problem. I asked if they mounted another 90mm on my body to be certain it is capable of resolving a 90mm lens and they said yes. Must say the tone was less than friendly. I can only surmise that I ruffled feathers with my letter that accompanied my gear stating that DAG had adj the lens and it focuses perfectly on two bodies. I stated in my letter that I did not want the lens calibrated to only work with my body only and not to touch it. Seems like their having to validate the body worked with other 90s pissed them off cuz I caught a bit of crap about their having to verify an independent's work when they use German made equipment to calibrate gear. I was reminded that no mortal could possibly do the job of the uber-equipment they use. Service with a smile is not what I would call this transaction by any stretch. My camera was out-of spec so they did not waste their time as they did adjust my $5,500 camera in warranty. By what do I know. I am just a stupid, uninformed annoying customer. Just wanted to add that the ladies that answer the phones are very nice.

 

[emraphoto]

i bailed on leica as a working option due to my service experiences. i adore the m system but could not put up with the service performance/attitude from leicausa.

tmfabian does have a very good point though.

 

[mountainrivera]

Received the camera and lens back. Took several test shots with the 90 lens and so far so good. It was unusable prior to sending it in to Leica. Glad I didn't fork over the $170 and glad I don't have to send it back to DAG with my body. Now that I have nothing to moan about any more I can shoot 🙂