Noctilux missing screws?

[jfujita]

I recently obtained an early model Noctilux (E58) from another RFFer and upon visual inspection I noticed that there appear to be two holes in the barrel that may be missing screws.

I'm not too concerned with the overall cosmetics of the lens as I intend to put it to work... but a few potential screws missing concerns me... God forbid anything comes loose and falls off while I'm out and about.



The first missing screw hole (yeah I went there) is a large one at the bottom of the barrel right under the engraved "LENS MADE IN CANADA". I poked it with a toothpick and some black-ish stuff that looked like axle grease came out with the toothpick. Is this normal? Is this some sort of lubrication reservoir








The other missing screw hole in question is smaller and is located just to the right of the red mounting dot. I poked this one with a toothpick and some black grime came out. I'm pretty sure I felt internal threads on it too. Is this one normal too?





I've also seen pictures of other noctiluxes with screws missing where mine has screws. Do these things just periodically shed screws?


Your input is much appreciated.

-Justin

[maddoc]

Hi Justin,

I just had a look at my Noctilux (E60 version with detachable hood) and it has exact the same "holes" as you have shown in your photos. No screws in there but some black "paste" (?) and my lens has been to Leica Japan twice for service. So I would expect that this is normal.

Happy shooting with this lens and post some photos !!

Cheers,

Gabor

[peter_n]

hi Justin,

I have your E58 version and after purchase a couple of years ago I sent it to Don Goldberg (DAG) for a CLA so everything is presumably OK with my sample.

Mine has the same gunk under the manufacturing engraving as in your first pic.

However it has a screw to the right of the raised red dot as in your second pic. I also checked all the other screws and they are all present and correct. The only hole that doesn't have a screw head is under the engraving and I'm not going to touch it as I think Don knows what he's doing and I don't... My lens has 7 screws; 3 on the focusing ring, 3 on the barrel in front of the focusing ring, and 1 beside the red dot at the rear of the lens.

These lenses shouldn't be shedding screws so I'd send an email to your technician of choice and get their advice.

[rickp]

my E58 version has the hole (and grease?) under the made in canada engraving (not filled in with white paint?), but no screw hole to the right of the red dot. sn is 2750539.
it's been to leica for coding and checking, so i presume it's as it should be.

greetings from hamburg

rick

[reuno]

Maybe you should look at this:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tommyoshima/3385471062/

[awilder]

I would suggest carefully digging out all the grease from each hole with the toothpick and inspect with a light and magnifier to see what's under it. There might actually be a screw head at the bottom of each and if so, fill the hole back up with black wax from a crayon. It's not uncommon for Leica to do if the screws are for adjustment instead of securing. I've seen it on the goggles on the 135/2.8 Elmarit-M.

[peter_n]

Originally Posted by reuno

Maybe you should look at this:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tommyoshima/3385471062/

So sad to read that Tommy Oshima's lens was stolen: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tommyoshima/3372382486/

[novum]

Sucks that Tommy had his Noctilux + Hexar ripped off. But he's already replaced it!