sigh....2 out of 3 ZM lenses with the wobble

sleepyhead said:
I generally did not like their high-contrast "clinically sterile" look, and I could afford the Leica lenses.
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This is why I sold my CV 35mm lens too. It was ok for black and white but way too clean looking for color.

I can shift my kit over to Leica lenses as well, I think I would replace the Planar with a pre-asph 50 summilux, one of my dream lenses. Later who knows. Will keep the 21 biogon though, might as well since it was free.

Just waiting on a reply from Zeiss before I decide exactly what to do.
 
I haven't bought or even used any of the Zeiss lenses, but I can tell you that I've had problems with most of the recently manufactured ASPH Leica lenses I've bought; the 24, 50, 75 and 90 ASPH and I've complained about all of them previously here and elsewhere. I now have an older 24, the 50 still has a gritty-feeling focus ring, the 75 was replaced and I sold the 90. The two 35s I have are great, one is older, the other a brass lens. If you're considering buying Leica lenses steer clear of the newer lenses as the QC in Solms has been very poor. Leica bodies OTOH seem to be fine, my M7 and MP cams have been perfect. Maybe because they were made in Portugal.
 
I got a new CV 12 when first issued. Walked into Central Camera and there was a CV sales person doing a demo. I put the two lenses on the M6 which already had a Summarit 2.0 on it hence the screw fit. Went home and developed the film and called the store and told them I wanted both lenses.

Someplace during the first roll the 12 focus ring locked up and I repaired it. Then I repaired it again the next week. Been fine since.


The whole issue tells me the design is sub par and so is the assembly.


The 15 was rotated which is no big deal except for the fact the flower shade is fixed.
Off came the screw mount and I was able to remount using different holes. It was a Leitz LTM adapter so that is not an issuue.

Have not bought anything CV since.
 
Sucks. Sounds like this problem occurs reasonably frequently with ZM lenses. My ZM 35/2 was fine for the year or so that I owned it. Then again, I've never had any lens problems with my 50/1.4 ASPH, 90 Macro-M, CV 15/4.5, CV 28/3.5, or Nikkor 50/1.4. The only lenses I've had problems with were my Leica 28/2 (oil on the aperture blades) and Canon EF 50/1.4 (broken AF - frequent problem with this lens - never set it on its front).

Out of the three 'new' Leica lenses, the only one that has had a problem was the 28/2, which was the only real used lens I bought.

All lenses (and products) can have faults. The kind of faults that really bother me are the ones that are intrinsic to the design or quality control, like the broken AF on the Canon 50/1.4. This Zeiss lens wobble sounds like something similar.
 
Here's an interesting Leica 75/2 issue from a while back that apparently affected a batch, I know that my problem with this lens was also common at the time of my purchase. In this case, the aperture ring(s) needed to be set at the side of the lens instead of the top, take a look at the two pictures and the closeness of the serial nrs. We are talking batch problems here, and this on a lens that cost the OP $3295 in January of this year!

That was the second post by the OP because he had gotten a replacement lens with an identical problem. His first post showed the problem a little better and was responded to by none other than Stefan Daniel, Leica's Director of Product Management. As I recall he eventually received a lens that worked and presumably Leica fired the QC persons responsible. Leica have had dodgy QC the last few years so be careful...
 
Got the email back from Zeiss, they just said to send them off to Oberkochen for repair. One thing that I was wondering about though, these lenses are all made in Japan, why is the repairs being done in Germany? Whatever, I will ponder the idea of sending at least the 50mm off but it is out of warranty.
 
Avotius said:
One thing that I was wondering about though, these lenses are all made in Japan, why is the repairs being done in Germany?
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Repairs are also being done in Japan. I've sent Zeiss ZM gear to Cosina for adjustment/repair. The Germans will have superior English language skills, so communicating to them what you want checked/repaired will be easier.
 
I suppose that Zeiss is aware of the many reported problems about their lenses developing the one or other problem with time and want to see the actual lens before sending it away to Japan for repair. The QC / RD department might want to know if some of the problems are due to a fault in design or production to improve the either or other. Just my guess of course.

I had the 25/2.8 Biogon for a short time (bought used) and no problem at all. My former CV 15/4.5, CV 35/2.5 P II, and CV 50/1.5 were all free from any problems. Also, I never had any serious problems with older Leica gear. On the other hand, both my MP and M7 had problems (MP: shutter fault, electronic, loose rewind knob, sticky shutter button M7: shutter jammed) and needed to be serviced by Leica.

Avotius said:
Got the email back from Zeiss, they just said to send them off to Oberkochen for repair. One thing that I was wondering about though, these lenses are all made in Japan, why is the repairs being done in Germany? Whatever, I will ponder the idea of sending at least the 50mm off but it is out of warranty.
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Understandable I guess. I am leaning towards sending it off after I discuss the customs issues with them further. There is a good chance I will get hit with a big customs bill again when it returns to me which is the biggest thing holding me back.
 
If you sent something out of China for repair and can prove that you already have paid customs the first time, is there any form / procedure to avoid paying taxes for a second time ? Here in Japan there is a special sheet for this but the procedure is complicated. Now I always sent a copy of the tax bill and shipping slip together with the item that has to be repaired as a proof.
 
Best advice, never assume that anything is correct! I would have multiple copies of all your documents. You might even have to have your exporting documents officially stamped/signed and the goods inspected prior to exporting.

Ask around.

I would contact Panalpina.
http://www.panalpina.com/www/chn/en/offices___contacts/offices/regional_head_office.html

Also, ask DHL/UPS/Fedex and speak to someone with authority.

There maybe specific requirements [documents] when the goods are returned from the consigner to you.

Start with the above companies with your questions.
There is a solution.

Mark
Quito, EC
 
Dropped the C Sonnar over a meter onto a wooden floor (see thread related to this) and still no wobble. Two out of two fine for me after many months. I'd have to say one is more than fine.
 
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