Zeiss ZM Distagon repair?

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YYV_146

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The short story: my 15mm Distagon ZM broke, won't reach infinity, and it's in a bit of a questionable spot as warranty coverage goes.

But I'd happily pay to get it fixed if I could just get in touch with Zeiss...I called them several times, and just seemed to be kicked around from department to department.

Could anyone tell me what I should do now? How do you get Zeiss to fix modern Zeiss equipment? I spoke with some Leica repairs men but they didn't want to touch such a complex design.
 
I have used this email address in the past, and got quick responses:

lensservice.pho.us (at) zeiss.com
 
Recently, I sent my Zeiss Biogon 35mm to Steve's Camera Repair in CA. They looked at it and will repair it (the focusing ring has a dent on it, from the first owner, and it turns a bit too slow and rough for my taste) for $275. They just contacted me last week, on Thursday, so it may be sent to me either this Thursday or next Monday.

Check them out HERE
 
SolaresLarrave said:
Recently, I sent my Zeiss Biogon 35mm to Steve's Camera Repair in CA. They looked at it and will repair it (the focusing ring has a dent on it, from the first owner, and it turns a bit too slow and rough for my taste) for $275. They just contacted me last week, on Thursday, so it may be sent to me either this Thursday or next Monday.

Check them out HERE
Click to expand...

Thanks. I've had Youxin Ye work on traditional Zeiss designs before. But he told me that the 15 and 18mm Distagons were much more complicated designs than the biogons or planars, and he is hesitant to work on those.

Youxin did work on my 18mm Distagon in the end with good results, but he wouldn't touch the 15. I'll ask Steve if he is willing to give it a go.
 
My understanding, from speaking with someone local to me who officially imported Zeiss ZM lenses, was that actual service was done by Zeiss Germany. Have you tried contacting them, or just Zeiss USA? When were you calling them - last week was PhotoPlus in NYC and there were about 10 Zeiss people at their booth. Maybe they were all busy with the show?

From discussions I've participated in on another forum, a non-US member there had his ZM glass serviced by Zeiss Germany.

That's not to say no one else can do it...
 
rscheffler said:
My understanding, from speaking with someone local to me who officially imported Zeiss ZM lenses, was that actual service was done by Zeiss Germany. Have you tried contacting them, or just Zeiss USA? When were you calling them - last week was PhotoPlus in NYC and there were about 10 Zeiss people at their booth. Maybe they were all busy with the show?

From discussions I've participated in on another forum, a non-US member there had his ZM glass serviced by Zeiss Germany.

That's not to say no one else can do it...
Click to expand...

Thanks. I haven't really thought about the option, probably since Leica has never given me a reason to. My Leica lenses goes to Solmes every now and then, but I always send things to NJ.

Sending lenses by myself across borders scares me a little, frankly, but I'll look into it.
 
Since the 15 Distagon was made in Germany, I'd suggest forego Zeiss USA and send it directly to Oberkochen. It'll end up there anyway.

Shoot them a mail (photo@zeiss.de), describe the situation and they'll give you advices to follow. Fill the repair cover letter form (http://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/Photography/new/pdf/en/service/repair_cover_letter_photo.pdf) and ship.

I had excellent experience with them this way - they keep you very well informed. I also suspect it being more cost efficient.
 
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