Meister Camera

[jaapv]

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Another example of the way a good dealer works:

 

After I sold my Summicron 90AA (lack of use) I did not want to be entirely without a 90 mm lens. So I found an Elmarit 90, advertised B+ for a very reasonable price at Meister camera. The lens on arriving was more like mint-, and took excellent images. Nothing wrong with it -I thought . So I sent it to Leica for coding. I got a "Kostenvoranschlag" for repairs approximately for 2/3rds of the price I paid for the lens. Meister Camera took the matter in hand, communicated with Leica and I will be sent an as-new lens with one year factory guaranty - free of charge. In fact a lens I would have happily paid considerably more for than I did.

Edited June 29, 2010 by jaapv

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[Mauribix]

Jaap, if I get you well, shouldn't be this a "thumbs up" for Leica more than for Meister Camera?

[jaapv]

No, because Meister is picking up the bill from Leica

[Mauribix]

Sorry Jaap, but evidently I found it hard to follow that:

 

Actually you bought a lens, it was "ok" and "working", and the price was reasonable.

 

Then you sent it for coding to Leica, and they added a "repair" bill to the 6-bit coding "upgrade", but... why? Did they told you what was wrong with the lens?

 

my conclusions:

 

If the "repair" was necessary, then it's a Meister Camera's fault because they didn't notice that and since they HAVE to give you a warranty even for a used lens (and those warranty costs are just up to them) they just acted essentially as they HAD to, i.e. payin' the repair bills.

 

If the "repair" wasn't necessary, then it's a Leica's issue... but I don't think they (Leica) would make business of such a "cheap" issue.

 

Then, there's my question, are you now getting another "almost new" lens from Meister camera? Or is that your 90elmar fixed-repaire and coded?

 

Anyway, IMHO you had some luck 'cause you got an almost new lens with a great price , and Meister Camera did what it was supposed to, nothing more.

[jaapv]

I'll get the lens repaired/coded by Leica, which suits me well, as it is a very good one optically, and as said I cannot blame Meister for not noticing, because I did not notice anything myself either. It will be very interesting to find out what Leica had to repair.

[Mauribix]

It will be very interesting to find out what Leica had to repair.

 

Yeah, indeed.

 

BTW I'm not blaming Meister for that, I'm just sayin' that they acted as any Leica dealer should. IMHO

 

(My Leica dealer here changed me a flash SF24 before they received the new one from the distributor... and it was an almost 2 years old one).

[dpattinson]

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I'll get the lens repaired/coded by Leica, which suits me well, as it is a very good one optically, and as said I cannot blame Meister for not noticing, because I did not notice anything myself either. It will be very interesting to find out what Leica had to repair.

 

I sent in a perfectly working 24 Elmarit asph for coding and ended up with the following quote:

 

"neccessary works required to bring lens to factory standards."

elmarit-m2.8/24

dismantle unit

adjustment of all parts.

modification of 6 bit coding

optical adjustment for m8

reassemble clean and test

Cost $740.00+gst (AUD)

 

which translates to around 375 Euro at that time. Is that comparable to the repair cost you're seeing? I assumed this was a standard part of the coding work.

 

Perhaps I should have said no thanks? It was there along with my 50lux (same price) and M8 (warranty repair). I went ahead because by the time I got the quote I'd already been without the camera and lenses for over a month.

[jaapv]

6-bit coding at Leica (i.e. a new mount and lens checking costs 140 Euro (+VAT)), however, the Kostenvoranschlag, which is quite unclear in this case mentions a parallel guide and comes to 414.44 Euro (with VAT 493,18.) So there must be something wrong with the lens that nobody noticed. I don't expect Meister to pay the coding for me btw., that is obviously my part.

[dpattinson]

6-bit coding at Leica (i.e. a new mount and lens checking costs 140 Euro (+VAT)), however, the Kostenvoranschlag, which is quite unclear in this case mentions a parallel guide and comes to 414.44 Euro (with VAT 493,18.) So there must be something wrong with the lens that nobody noticed. I don't expect Meister to pay the coding for me btw., that is obviously my part.

 

Interesting, I suspect the importer in Australia added their own margin. I guess I know not to send stuff via them anymore.

[integrale]

I would also like to give a "thumbs up" to Meister Camera. I traded my R7 in for a CL at their Hamburg store; excellent service and good pricing.

[hoppyman]

David the only lens I sent trhrough an Australian dealer for coding was I think about two years or so back (my 28 Summicron). I left it with the (Melbourne) dealer who sent it to the importer who sent it to Solms obviously. From memory the total with GST was about AUD 400 at that time. There was no M8 adjustment nor additional work needed. I think that the price difference in your case may be for the M8 adjustment as well as the coding. That is two separate service components.

In Jaap's case there was a repair component as well., but happily the dealer has absorbed those .

 

Talking to Customer Service in Solms directly currently coding only is quoted as 140 EURO and you would be exempt from the VAT. Last year I was quoted I think 151 EURO per lens for the M8 calibration (assuming no extra work required). Freight would be additional.

My two lenses in fact were M8 calibrated no charge (and no cost for express international courier delivery) as I paid for an M8 upgrade and the lenses were under warranty.

Edited June 30, 2010 by hoppyman

[jaapv]

End result: Just now I got the lens back from Solms - as new, and coded!! Cost 00.00!!:)

[Jeff S]

So, 140 Euro to a good charity then?

 

Jeff

[michael_b_elmer]

I would also like to give a "thumbs up" to Meister Camera. I traded my R7 in for a CL at their Hamburg store; excellent service and good pricing.

 

+1. I always got excellent service from Martin Meister and his staff, and I do not hesitate the least in recommending this Leica dealer to all others, since I have been cooperating on all Leica matters with Meister Camera - including buying new and used cameras and lenses, selling old cameras and lenses on a commission basis, and getting all kinds of service for Leica gear - for over 10 years. I always got the best service possible and adequate advice.

 

Jaapv's story is in no way surprising to me.

[jaapv]

So, 140 Euro to a good charity then?

 

Jeff

Undoubtedly

[Krauklis]

+1. I always got excellent service from Martin Meister and his staff, and I do not hesitate the least in recommending this Leica dealer to all others, since I have been cooperating on all Leica matters with Meister Camera - including buying new and used cameras and lenses, selling old cameras and lenses on a commission basis, and getting all kinds of service for Leica gear - for over 10 years. I always got the best service possible and adequate advice.

 

Jaapv's story is in no way surprising to me.

 

I would like to underline that!

I have been doing business with Meister for more than 35 years now (father and son Meister) and it has always been a pleasure.

 

-krauklis

[MrHaiku7]

I know this is an old thread, but I would like to know do Meister Camera ship to the UK. I ask because since brexit I’ve read that some German retailers of 2nd classic photographic gear are not shipping to the UK based on VAT issues. 
 

I’m specifically interested in the analogue gear of MC eg lens and film M cameras. Would anybody have any insight. 
 

I was under the impression, that a purchase would be treated like an import item. With VAT being levied at 20% in UK, shipping charge, handling charge, import tax.

 

anyone have any insight, would be greatly received. 
 

thank you 
 

 

[jaapv]

Just pick up the phone and ask them. 

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[Charles Morgan]

I've bought a few items from them pre-B and very reliable dealer. As Jaap says just contact them. Imports will carry 20% VAT, and the courier handling fees will depend on the courier used.

[MrHaiku7]

Dear Charles/Jaapv

I’ve sent an email so hopefully some clarity will come to light. Glad to know they are a reliable dealer. 
 

Kind regards.