Re: [Leica] It Happened to me...

["Robert G. Stevens" <robsteve@istar.ca>]

Richard:

I have been told that lens cleaning is part of the normal maintenance for
lenses and no matter what brand they are, they should be cleaned at least
every five years.  I bought a used 28-70 in Paris in the fall and noticed a
bit of dirt between the elements.  I sent it off to Leica Canada and they
cleaned it and lubed the zoom and focus mechanisms.  It works like a new
lens now and the optics look like that on a new lens too.

As for where the dirt comes from, you must remember that these lenses are
not hermetically sealed.  Dirt can just get in.  Any I have found is
usually on the elements near the aperture blades.  These blades need to be
actuated and the dirt probably gets in through that mechanism.

The fact that dirt gets into lenses might explain the plastic bubbles that
Leica lenses used to come in.  The more sealed from dust you keep them, the
cleaner they will probably stay.

Regards,

Robert Stevens

At 06:40 PM 6/8/98 -0400, Richard Clompus wrote:
>Dear Fellow LUGnuts,
>
>I read many posts about new Leica lenses - mostly R - that were found to
>have dirt and debris in them.  I found it hard to believe that the quality
>control from Leica could be so bad.  Well, I attended a camera clinic in
>Philadelphia this past weekend at Mid-City Camera and took along a R6.2 and
>6 month old 50/2 Summicron lens.  When I took the lens off the body, I
>noticed it had about 8 pieces of debris on the internal lens elements.
>They weren't there when the lens was purchased new 6 months earlier.  In
>fact, the debris wasn't there a month ago.  Its baffling.
>
>Perhaps Leica has a problem with one of the lubricants or "plastic"
>internal componenets that tends to break up over time.  Although the lens
>seemed to focus well, I left it with the Leica technician to take back with
>her to Leica New Jersey.  Its still unbder warranty.  I don't think this is
>a problem caused by lack of inspection with initial lens assembly.  It
>seems to be something that develops later with normal use.  
>
>Anyone out there have anything else to add to this subject?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Richard
>-----------------
>Richard Clompus, OD
>West Chester, PA, USA
>
>
>
>