p.2 #1 · Disgusted with Zeiss Germany re locked Loxia 21 *** WARNING ***
I am suspicious that the lock up issue with this lens is a design weakness too, but proving it is an actual fault might be difficult as many Loxia 21s haven't failed. Unfortunately I bought the lens overseas.
In relation to this fault I want to point out that although the lens was locked up, there was no damage. This is in contrast to previous posts that imply user inflicted damage is the cause of the the lock up. A displaced screw was all it took.
The only positive aspect to my poor experience with the Zeiss return, is that if your Loxia 21 does lock up, and is out of warranty, you need not necessarily be up for an expensive repair (unless you send it to Zeiss)....
p.2 #2 · Disgusted with Zeiss Germany re locked Loxia 21 *** WARNING ***
rvh23 wrote:
I am suspicious that the lock up issue with this lens is a design weakness too, but proving it is an actual fault might be difficult as many Loxia 21s haven't failed. Unfortunately I bought the lens overseas.
In relation to this fault I want to point out that although the lens was locked up, there was no damage. This is in contrast to previous posts that imply user inflicted damage is the cause of the the lock up. A displaced screw was all it took.
The only positive aspect to my poor experience with the Zeiss return, is that if your Loxia 21 does lock up, and is out of warranty, you need not necessarily be up for an expensive repair (unless you send it to Zeiss).... ...Show more →
You live in Melbourne and all my Leica gear and Zeiss lenses were service by Camera Clinic in Collingwood. They are excellent and very quick turn around. I have had lenses re collimated, cleaned, adjusted and have improved for a reasonable cost. Unfortunately living in Australia it is a pain to send gear to Germany whereas a local quick turn around is much preferred.
p.2 #3 · Disgusted with Zeiss Germany re locked Loxia 21 *** WARNING ***
Here's a possible scenario regarding the lock up issue and repair procedure. The early Loxia 21s have an issue that makes them more prone to these screws becoming dislodged over time, possibly but not necessarily related to mounting/dismounting with pressure against the infinity stop. Zeiss discovers the issue, and adjusts the design to improve it. Maybe focusing stiffness reduces a bit as a result. When an early lens comes in with the stuck-at-infinity syndrome, the mechanism is replaced with the updated one to avoid repeat failure.
Just speculation of course, and we would likely never know if it were so.
Charles, yes I know of and have used camera clinic on occasion. I thought in this instance the lens would have to go back to Zeiss because previous reports indicated this issue would require replacement parts, which apparently Zeiss don't make available to external repairers.
p.2 #4 · Disgusted with Zeiss Germany re locked Loxia 21 *** WARNING ***
thrice wrote:
Who do they think they are? Leica?
Why Leica? Have you had a bad experience or did they charge an outrageous amount to repair anything for you in the past?
I dropped my Leica SL with 24-90 once in water for a few seconds. The camera survived but the lens was pretty banged up after hitting a rock and zoom ring was damaged. I dropped it off at my local store who sent it to Leica Thailand and it was sent to Leica Singapore then finally to Germany. Took several months to get it back eventually in perfect condition. The total charge was about $60 for shipping and that was it.
p.2 #5 · Disgusted with Zeiss Germany re locked Loxia 21 *** WARNING ***
suteetat wrote:
Why Leica? Have you had a bad experience or did they charge an outrageous amount to repair anything for you in the past?
I dropped my Leica SL with 24-90 once in water for a few seconds. The camera survived but the lens was pretty banged up after hitting a rock and zoom ring was damaged. I dropped it off at my local store who sent it to Leica Thailand and it was sent to Leica Singapore then finally to Germany. Took several months to get it back eventually in perfect condition. The total charge was about $60 for shipping and that was it.
p.2 #6 · Disgusted with Zeiss Germany re locked Loxia 21 *** WARNING ***
If someone were able to verify this it would constitute admission of fault by Zeiss and they should perform the upgrade for free.
rvh23 wrote:
Here's a possible scenario regarding the lock up issue and repair procedure. The early Loxia 21s have an issue that makes them more prone to these screws becoming dislodged over time, possibly but not necessarily related to mounting/dismounting with pressure against the infinity stop. Zeiss discovers the issue, and adjusts the design to improve it. Maybe focusing stiffness reduces a bit as a result. When an early lens comes in with the stuck-at-infinity syndrome, the mechanism is replaced with the updated one to avoid repeat failure.
Just speculation of course, and we would likely never know if it were so.
Charles, yes I know of and have used camera clinic on occasion. I thought in this instance the lens would have to go back to Zeiss because previous reports indicated this issue would require replacement parts, which apparently Zeiss don't make available to external repairers....Show more →
p.2 #7 · Disgusted with Zeiss Germany re locked Loxia 21 *** WARNING ***
thrice wrote:
Tongue in cheek mate. I used to work for them.
That said, your experience is the exception (other than the months taken for the repair) rather than the rule.
I see I was actually rather surprised that they did not charge me for the repair that was my own fault. Don't really have much experience with their service except for one other occasion when a friend had a little disagreement or problem with Leica Singapore and emailed Germany directly asking to send an M lens back for repair, bypassing Singapore completely (which is the usual route for SE Asia pretty much). Leica agreed and my friend shipped his lens directly to Germany. He received it back in some months with absolutely no charge either, not even return shipping fee. It was not under warranty either from what I remembered.These are the only 2 experiences I know of repair service from Leica (not including numerous sensor replacements and Leica S lens repair ).
p.2 #9 · Disgusted with Zeiss Germany re locked Loxia 21 *** WARNING ***
Loxias are mid-priced by industry standards for this class of lens. Zeiss just (i) asked 70% of the new price of this lens to fix a non-existent fault they themselves misdiagnosed, which (ii) a regular repair shop then discovered as a manufacturing blunder and repaired for a fair price.
(iii) Zeiss wasted the precious time of a customer, and the 32,000 kms round trip was all for nought. They got it horribly wrong, first by selling a faulty lens then following up with their after sales 'performance'. Stepping back - what's the point of even a warranty claim for a manual focus lens if it takes several months to process 16,000 kms away, and the involvement of post offices, distributors etc.?
I don't think their warranty is worth the paper it's printed on, for this country at least. Threes strikes and you're out. Use a well-regarded expert local shop like Camera Clinic and pay the small cost, rather than deal with charlatans. Buy on special and see the savings as your 'insurance', that seems to be the way to go.
I was actually rather surprised that they did not charge me for the repair that was my own fault. Don't really have much experience with their service except for one other occasion when a friend had a little disagreement or problem with Leica Singapore and emailed Germany directly asking to send an M lens back for repair, bypassing Singapore completely (which is the usual route for SE Asia pretty much). Leica agreed and my friend shipped his lens directly to Germany. He received it back in some months with absolutely no charge either, not even return shipping fee. It was not under warranty either from what I remembered.These are the only 2 experiences I know of repair service from Leica (not including numerous sensor replacements and Leica S lens repair