Leica Lens Repair - Over 6 Months

I usually have nothing but good things to say about my Leica experience but I must admit I’m disappointed with Leica this time. This is not the first time that I’ve sent a product to Leica for repair. Usually it takes a little longer than normal but I don’t mind because Leica is a small company and I’m paying a premium to get it done correctly. 

But this time has gotten to be too much. I sent my 35mm Summicron from the pre-digital days to be converted to 6-bit so that the lens info would be written in the data stored in the files. There is nothing wrong with the lens, I just wanted the lens mounted updated to 6-bit. I was quoted 3 months for estimate and repair at the Leica Store. It took almost 2 months just for the estimate. I am almost at 6 and 1/2 months so I called and they are going to try to get it back in about a week.  

Leica, if you can hear me, you must do a better job at repairs. Leica Rumors even recently posted that repairs is one of the areas that the company needs to improve. It makes it hard to do work with a tool when the manufacturer takes over 6 months to do a simple repair. This has been a long time without my favorite wide-angle lens. I am a Nikon Professional Services member and they do make repairs a priority for working professionals. Leica please bring back your program for professional photographers.

UPDATE 

After 203 days my lens has been returned.  

Connecting Atomos Ninja V to DJI Ronin-S

The use of hybrid cameras for shooting video has been mainstream for a number of years. It seems like employers of still photographers are expecting them to shoot video as well as stills. Handheld gimbals are getting as common as camera bags in a photographers toolkit. One of the most popular is the DJI Ronin-S gimbal. 

The Ronin-S is great but is missing the ability to use a monitor such as the Atomos Ninja V monitor-recorder that is so popular these days. The Ninja V is great to work with and it makes it so much easier to shoot and edit videos.  

I have been aware of a company called SmallRig that makes cages and accessories for mostly Dslr’s and Mirrorless cameras. My understanding is that they make top quality products. I came across a YouTube video on how to attach a different brand monitor to the DJI gimbal so I ordered the parts for my setup.  

The three parts that are needed are as follows: Smallrig Mounting Plate for Ronin-S #2214, Smallrig DSLR Monitor Holder with Nato Clamp #2100, and Smallrig ENF Mount with Nato Rail #2113.  

The first step is to remove the accessory cover plate of the Ronin-S with the supplied hex tool. Attach the Mount Holder with the attached screws. Attach the Monitor Holder Mount to the Holder. Then attach the ENF Monitor Mount to the Ninja V. Slide this attachment onto the attached arm and adjust for the proper viewing angle. It takes longer to describe than to do the work.  

Now you just attach a HDMI cable to the port on the camera and the monitor and your in business. The setup is a little heavy after long use but the quality of the work that can be achieved is well worth the trouble. This level of filmmaking was only achievable by the big movie studios just a few years ago.  

The little gadgets are really the things that make life so much easier. The SmallRig accessories are made with an attention to detail that I really appreciate. I plan on looking forward to getting one of their camera cages for my LUMIX GH-5 and tricking it out with some of the attachments that are available.