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APO 77: Optical gem, ergonomic cow (1 Viewer)

MKinHK

MKinHK

Mike Kilburn
Hong Kong
Just about to send my APO 77 back to replace the thread which was stripped out for the second time in 5 years (both times when I was leading a tour in China! Since the mountains of China are a little short of optical technicians, replacing the thread is not really an option in the field! Imagine how unimpressed my clients would have been if they had no scope of their own?

Having read about thread stripping/replacement elsewhere in this forum I was interested to learn about the specialist quick release plate which stopped the scope twisting - such things have never made it to Hong Kong. Do they still exist?

I have seen that the new Swarovski 80mm offering disappears the problem by fitting straight onto the Manfrotto 128 head. After the first thread-stripping which resulted into a fall onto concrete I hoped for input from Leica on how to avod such problems in the future - nothing!

This time I have been told to write direct to Leica if I want an answer and will post results on this forum.

Also, the zoom lens has always unscrewed itself when I zoom out - does this happen to others of you? This finally resulted in more impact-related damage when it twisted out and fell, although my scope would have remained usable (and optically fine) if the thread had not been ripped outsoon afterwards!

Tempted to rule Leica out as a scope to rely on for prolonged trips. Am I justified?

If so it would be a real shame when the optics remain superb, and are a joy to use!

I'd appreciate any insights or advice.

Mike
 
Last edited:
MKinHK said:
Just about to send my APO 77 back to replace the thread which was stripped out for the second time in 5 years (both times when I was leading a tour in China! Since the mountains of China are a little short of optical technicians, replacing the thread is not really an option in the field! Imagine how unimpressed my clients would have been if they had no scope of their own?

<snip>

If so it would be a real shame when the optics remain superb, and are a joy to use!

I'd appreciate any insights or advice.

Mike
Click to expand...

I've had the thread stripping problem (twice) with my Optolyth TBS80.... a sort of Tottenham or Sunderland scope to Zeiss and Swarowski's Chelsea and Arsenal. The first time I went to Optolyth (in Luton was it?) and got a new ring/base plate that lasted a couple of years. When that stripped I was in Italy so I set the tripod base plate onto the scope plate with epoxy resin. That lasted 'til the (Cullman) tripod broke. I had a hell of a job removing the Cullman plate from the scope and replaced it with a Manfrotto using the same technique but a new metal-to-metal bi-component based epoxy resin. I'm looking at it and thinking nothing will ever shift it now. Remember though that this is a 'Final Solution' and there's no going back.
 
Touty said:
I've had the thread stripping problem (twice) with my Optolyth TBS80.... a sort of Tottenham or Sunderland scope to Zeiss and Swarowski's Chelsea and Arsenal. The first time I went to Optolyth (in Luton was it?) and got a new ring/base plate that lasted a couple of years. When that stripped I was in Italy so I set the tripod base plate onto the scope plate with epoxy resin. That lasted 'til the (Cullman) tripod broke. I had a hell of a job removing the Cullman plate from the scope and replaced it with a Manfrotto using the same technique but a new metal-to-metal bi-component based epoxy resin. I'm looking at it and thinking nothing will ever shift it now. Remember though that this is a 'Final Solution' and there's no going back.
Click to expand...

Forgot to say... one Cullman quick release plate (both parts) for sale... top plate very spanked up but usable (epoxy residue)... a fiver + postage, accept Paypal-
 
Touty said:
I've had the thread stripping problem (twice) with my Optolyth TBS80.... a sort of Tottenham or Sunderland scope to Zeiss and Swarowski's Chelsea and Arsenal. The first time I went to Optolyth (in Luton was it?) and got a new ring/base plate that lasted a couple of years. When that stripped I was in Italy so I set the tripod base plate onto the scope plate with epoxy resin. That lasted 'til the (Cullman) tripod broke. I had a hell of a job removing the Cullman plate from the scope and replaced it with a Manfrotto using the same technique but a new metal-to-metal bi-component based epoxy resin. I'm looking at it and thinking nothing will ever shift it now. Remember though that this is a 'Final Solution' and there's no going back.
Click to expand...

Right now Leica are freefalling faster in my estimation than Leeds!

I actually chickened out of glueing the scope to the tripod baseplate about a month befor this latest strip-out. It was the fear of what to do if I needed to send it back and lost warranty rights for tampering.

At the end of the day I don't mind paying top dollar for good quality and service, but top dollar for less than the best tends to bring on a sense of humour failure pretty rapidly.

Cheers

Mike
 
Also, the zoom lens has always unscrewed itself when I zoom out - does this happen to others of you? This finally resulted in more impact-related damage when it twisted out and fell, although my scope would have remained usable (and optically fine) if the thread had not been ripped outsoon afterwards!
Click to expand...

Hi Mike you are not alone in the zoom eyepiece coming loose when zooming back a cure that I have found that works is to put a small rubber band around the eyepiece and then attach to scope. This should stop it coming loose.

Pete
 
My "newer" Apo 77's and MkII zoom eyepeice have a dimple and catch mechanism which stops the zoom unscrewing. Works quite well. I too was worried about the thread and bought a Manfrotto plate ( before they were discontinued. I agree that Leica seem to have some design and build flaws that let down their otherwise fantastic image quality. As for their customer service...................


Linz
 
This is how I fixed the spin out problem on my Leica(see attacment), the rubber band works well, I find you have to put it on the threaded portion on the scope body tight to the body, Leica service dept has a more permanant solution by placing a threaded hole thru bottom collar of eyepiece and the threaded portion on scope body and by using knurled screw to secure eyepiece to the body, hope this helps, Michael Woertman, Rocky Mountain Eagle Research Foundation, Canada.
 

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A happy ending to the story. . . Leica agreed to replace my scope and eyepiece and both arrived today. I had to wait for the next batch to roll off the production line from the factory, but the scope was flown over to me so I have it for the beginning of the autumn migration - Sharp-tailed Sandpipers and other waders are already coming through (and a Forest Wagtail 2 weeks ago was a new early date for Hong Kong). Check of out www.hkbws.org.hk for more on HK birding.

However I had no reply to my letter from Leica - disappointing.

Many thanks for the various tips. I suspect that drilling a second hole in the scope foot for a second stabilization pin will do the trick.

The new zoom lens rotates much easier than my original, but the rubber band trick looks like a winner. I'll never cease to be amazed at the ability to improve kit worth hundreds of pounds with simple day to day items worth 0.02p (cf plastic bags for water proofing) !

Cheers
Mike
 
Televid 77 issues

I use a Manfrotto locking plate, eye wateringly expensive at forty quid but works like a dream. Also a zillion zillion thanks for the rubber band trick - it works perecftly and has saved me immense frustration.
 
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