[none]

[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.

Thomas Henson
e-mail: tom.henson@bakerbotts.com



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