[Leica] Dust in New Lenses

[Tom.Henson@bakerbotts.com]

> I am new to the Leica family of cameras having previously used Canon
> cameras for many years. My dream camera was an R8. I purchased this
> recently along with three lenses and a motor-drive. The lenses are a 28-70
> F3.5-4.5, a 80-200 F4.0, and a 100mm F2.8 macro with the Elpro macro lens
> adapter. All equipment was purchased new with USA warranties. My problem
> that I have is ALL three of the lenses have dust in them. The 28-70 also
> has what looks like a film on the inside of the rear element. I know that
> both of the zooms are made in Japan and the 100mm is made in Germany. But
> they all have dust and contamination of some sort in them. The 100mm lens
> also has a loose aperture ring. When 2.8 is selected the diaphragm pops
> back into the lens about a sixteenth of an inch. I sent the 28-70mm and
> the 100mm back to the dealer that I bought it from and the sent me a new
> 28-70mm. They didn't have a new 100mm so they had Leica drop ship me a new
> lens. The lens that Leica sent me is worse than the first lens. The first
> lens had dust and spots on the lens coating. I was shocked by what appears
> to be poor quality in all three of these lenses. I have read many articles
> on this site regarding this issue and I know that dust eventually will be
> a way of life for most lenses. But all three of the lenses are brand new
> and I paid a small fortune for them. I felt this was unacceptable and sent
> all three lenses directly back to Leica in NJ. I also sent a complaint by
> e-mail to the customer service person a Ms. Olesin in NJ, and to Horst
> Braun in Germany. Ms. Olesin called me a couple of days ago and said that
> Germany had forwarded my complaint to her. I told her that I was shipping
> back all three lenses and that I was very unhappy with the quality. She
> said that when they arrive they will inspect them and let me know. Should
> I expect Leica to send me all new lenses? Does anyone out there feel I am
> being unreasonable considering the amount of money they cost? It would
> help my position with them if I knew of other experiences like this and
> what Leica did in their case.
> 
> Tom Henson - Houston
> 


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