jonoslack Posted October 30, 2013 Share #61 Posted October 30, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) I hope you don't get the fungus from my 180 APO Malcolm (who I like and respect) has now had my f2.8 180 APO for over a year cleaning the fungus off one of the elements - hopefully it won't have transferred to your lens! amazing how time slips by . . . and as Pete says . . . the only consolation for me is that the lens seems to have doubled in value during the year Malcolm has had it! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 30, 2013 Posted October 30, 2013 Hi jonoslack, Take a look here After 3 years at Malcolm Taylor's, will my lens have fungus?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
plasticman Posted October 31, 2013 Author Share #62 Posted October 31, 2013 Thanks guys. I think it's sometimes easy to slip into treating this forum as the local pub, where gossip is shared without really thinking anyone is going to disclose what's said 'out of school'. On the other hand, Malcolm isn't here to defend himself, so it was unfair of me to bring up the topic here without at the very least informing him that I was going to do so. Just for the record, although he was very indignant about the matter and said he was sending the lens back straight away (this slipped to 'over the next couple weeks' as the phone conversation dragged on), I noted that he was not so outraged that he'd decided to send me the lens as soon as he heard about the thread. The last time I spoke to him was January, and then we'd made a totally solid and final agreement that the work was going to be finished before the end of February. I rang again yesterday (October 30) - I doubt whether he'd just been told about the thread that morning - and so some of my sympathy for his side of the story evaporated straight away: the 'honorable' thing would've been to return my lens the moment he'd decided he was no longer willing to work on it. Incidentally, he assured me that all lenses were kept carefully sealed and separated, and there was no possible way that mine could be affected by other lenses in his workshop, whatever their condition. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M9reno Posted October 31, 2013 Share #63 Posted October 31, 2013 Incidentally, he assured me that all lenses were kept carefully sealed and separated, and there was no possible way that mine could be affected by other lenses in his workshop, whatever their condition. In this, as in everything else that really matters to me, MT is far better than Solms CS, with their impressive assurance (once made to me) that fungus is simply 'verboten' in their workshop, and any contaminated items immediately returned to sender. In reality, they kept my fungus-ridden IIIg for more than a month, returned it 'serviced' (expensive, but still with the fungus), whence it went to MT, who finally did what needed to be done. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted October 31, 2013 Share #64 Posted October 31, 2013 Thanks guys. I think it's sometimes easy to slip into treating this forum as the local pub, where gossip is shared without really thinking anyone is going to disclose what's said 'out of school'. On the other hand, Malcolm isn't here to defend himself, so it was unfair of me to bring up the topic here without at the very least informing him that I was going to do so. Just for the record, although he was very indignant about the matter and said he was sending the lens back straight away (this slipped to 'over the next couple weeks' as the phone conversation dragged on), I noted that he was not so outraged that he'd decided to send me the lens as soon as he heard about the thread. The last time I spoke to him was January, and then we'd made a totally solid and final agreement that the work was going to be finished before the end of February. I rang again yesterday (October 30) - I doubt whether he'd just been told about the thread that morning - and so some of my sympathy for his side of the story evaporated straight away: the 'honorable' thing would've been to return my lens the moment he'd decided he was no longer willing to work on it. Incidentally, he assured me that all lenses were kept carefully sealed and separated, and there was no possible way that mine could be affected by other lenses in his workshop, whatever their condition. Hmmm, the cynic in me would make me want to check your lens thoroughly WHEN you eventually get it back. Maybe the stance he's taking is damage limitation as he's now spotted signs of fungus!! Regardless, I don't think Malcolm is doing himself any favours by his hissy fit response or the extraordinary amount of time he sits on customers items without doing anything. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted October 31, 2013 Share #65 Posted October 31, 2013 Just a coda on this thread: rang for an update on the lens (no longer really expecting any progress) and it turns out that Malcolm had been told about this discussion and considered it a stab in the back (which in retrospect, it sort of was) and is now refusing to do the work and intends to send the lens back unaltered "over the next week or two". Naturally I can see his point of view - my concerns about fungus could, and maybe should, have been addressed directly to him, but I wasn't sure of getting a straight answer, and so I rather impulsively posted here. Nonetheless, I do find his reaction rather childish - he doesn't dispute the time taken (about 4,5 years with no work done on the lens) but he strongly objected to my discussing it online. A stab in the back? After 4.5 years? What the hell does he expect? I'm glad you did discuss it online so I know to steer well clear. Anyone who treats customers like this is considered a rogue trader to me. I can't even believe he is refusing to do the work on it, I don't know how people like this can sleep at night knowing they treat people like that. Unprofessional, childish and I can only imagine, highly irritating for you. He should be charged a lens hire fee for 4.5 years at £30 per day. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted October 31, 2013 Share #66 Posted October 31, 2013 A stab in the back? After 4.5 years? What the hell does he expect? I'm glad you did discuss it online so I know to steer well clear. Anyone who treats customers like this is considered a rogue trader to me. I can't even believe he is refusing to do the work on it, I don't know how people like this can sleep at night knowing they treat people like that. Unprofessional, childish and I can only imagine, highly irritating for you. He should be charged a lens hire fee for 4.5 years at £30 per day. Hi Paul, Thanks. Your take sounds reasonable to me. But, what are the options/alternatives in your area to get the work done? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted October 31, 2013 Share #67 Posted October 31, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) .But, what are the options/alternatives in your area to get the work done? Trouble is after 3 years he still hadn't done any work anyway! Probably best to find an alternative, I'm sure some of the other specialist repairers can do the same job. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted October 31, 2013 Share #68 Posted October 31, 2013 Trouble is after 3 years he still hadn't done any work anyway! Probably best to find an alternative, I'm sure some of the other specialist repairers can do the same job. Thanks. Well, one better asks upfront a few questions, namely: • Will you do the work? • When do I get my item back? • How much does it cost? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted October 31, 2013 Share #69 Posted October 31, 2013 For the benefit of others who may search and find this thread later on, there's a list of SOME specialists here; http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-news/leica-repair-specialists/ It's worth also speaking to your local dealer. For instance both Aperture Photographic and Red Dot in London offer Leica repairs - I think I'm right in saying they use the same technicians. Most camera dealers who sell s/h gear will have a technician they sub their work out to. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
plasticman Posted November 1, 2013 Author Share #70 Posted November 1, 2013 Let's not get this out of proportion - it's just another lens. Sometimes I've felt I really wanted it back, at other times I was glad to have the possible cost of the fix in the bank. I went through a phase of trying to accumulate all the M-compatible fast 50s, so this was just one in a stupidly large array of lenses that mostly sat unused on a shelf. At some point I came to my senses and sold most of them, and this one will probably follow the others when it comes back. I've also been remiss in not following-up agreed completion times: as I said, we'd agreed on a final date in February, but I didn't call again until the end of October. That was typical of my lackadaisical attitude to the whole process. In this instance, my only serious grievance is that he didn't get in touch or send back the lens as soon as he knew he wouldn't work on it. I might easily have waited another six months in good faith. Or even forgotten about the lens altogether. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
plasticman Posted November 26, 2013 Author Share #71 Posted November 26, 2013 Well - fast approaching a month since Mr Taylor said he was sending back my lens unfixed - and still nothing! I guess it was too much to expect that there might be a change of pace in proceedings, but I have to say it's one thing waiting months and years for a lens with the expectation that it will come back fixed, and quite another to wait for it when it's being returned unaltered in a lather of moral indignation - especially when the subject of that outrage is... an online discussion on how long the process has taken! Oh well, I guess yet another expensive international phone discussion is needed. Or maybe the person who snitched on this thread can have another word with Malcolm and nudge him to get a move on. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k_g_wolf ✝ Posted November 26, 2013 Share #72 Posted November 26, 2013 He´s got to find it, before he can send it. Just imagine all those thingys in your camerabags, sometimes it takes some effort to reach the goal ... Best GEORG Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted November 26, 2013 Share #73 Posted November 26, 2013 It's ok, he's trying to clean the fungus off first Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted November 26, 2013 Share #74 Posted November 26, 2013 Thanks guys. I think it's sometimes easy to slip into treating this forum as the local pub, where gossip is shared without really thinking anyone is going to disclose what's said 'out of school'. On the other hand, Malcolm isn't here to defend himself, so it was unfair of me to bring up the topic here without at the very least informing him that I was going to do so. Just for the record, although he was very indignant about the matter and said he was sending the lens back straight away (this slipped to 'over the next couple weeks' as the phone conversation dragged on), I noted that he was not so outraged that he'd decided to send me the lens as soon as he heard about the thread. The last time I spoke to him was January, and then we'd made a totally solid and final agreement that the work was going to be finished before the end of February. I rang again yesterday (October 30) - I doubt whether he'd just been told about the thread that morning - and so some of my sympathy for his side of the story evaporated straight away: the 'honorable' thing would've been to return my lens the moment he'd decided he was no longer willing to work on it. Incidentally, he assured me that all lenses were kept carefully sealed and separated, and there was no possible way that mine could be affected by other lenses in his workshop, whatever their condition. Totally unreasonable that anyone should sit on a lens repair for three years. I used another very well known UK Leica expert repairer and he: 1) Gave me a date when I could take in the camera for service - three months forward on a Saturday. 2) I delivered the camera to him personally on that Saturday morning when we also discussed the camera repair in depth. 3) He serviced and repaired the camera over that weekend .. including working on it on the Sunday. 4) He phoned me on the Monday and advised the work was completed. 5) I collected the camera on the Tuesday .. and he gave me a CD showing photos of all the interior of the camera and defects he had found and remedied. That is SERVICE ... no delays once he had the camera. Camera was a very special Leica I Model A. And when I arrived home I sent his wife a bouquet of flowers because I was so pleased with the work. dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted November 29, 2013 Share #75 Posted November 29, 2013 Coming back to the fungus -it is carried by spores that are in the air everywhere and only will manifest itself in hot and humid conditions. Separating lenses is pointless, as it will not prevent contact with the omnipresent spores. The only way to keep something in a fungus spore free environment is in a sealed container with an UV sterilizing light. By the same token, lenses cannot “infect” one another in dry and cool storage conditions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
honcho Posted November 29, 2013 Share #76 Posted November 29, 2013 ?......I went through a phase of trying to accumulate all the M-compatible fast 50s, so this was just one in a stupidly large array of lenses that mostly sat unused on a shelf. At some point I came to my senses and sold most of them, and this one will probably follow the others when it comes back....... He seems to want to keep it, ask him to make you an offer. Joking apart, I've never heard of such poor behaviour by a repairer ("service" does not apply). Good luck for a satisfactory outcome. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted November 29, 2013 Share #77 Posted November 29, 2013 I wonder whether identifiable Forum members supporting the OP will also be blacklisted for repairs Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted November 29, 2013 Share #78 Posted November 29, 2013 I wonder whether identifiable Forum members supporting the OP will also be blacklisted for repairs Would he have the time to compile a blacklist dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted November 29, 2013 Share #79 Posted November 29, 2013 I wonder whether identifiable Forum members supporting the OP will also be blacklisted for repairs I wouldn't be prepared to wait several years for a repair! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
plasticman Posted November 29, 2013 Author Share #80 Posted November 29, 2013 One aspect that had slipped my mind until now was that Jaap very kindly, totally free of charge and at his own postal expense supplied Mr Taylor with the extra Visoflex parts to actually execute the fix some considerable time ago. I guess I need to remind him to include those parts in the return - if I can summon the will to make the extra call. Have to admit that I now find the whole situation very uncomfortable and embarrassing. I'm sure this will be seen as a very wimpy response, but I'd really rather just sit and wait for him to finally resolve the whole sad episode by just sending back the lens and have done with it. Frankly can hardly believe it's taking him a month to send it back, when the whole motivation for his indignation was the implication he was taking too long to fix the stupid lens in the first place. To be honest, I'm most glad it wasn't any lens that I felt any attachment to or needed to have. All the same, he has plenty of very satisfied customers and by all accounts his work is extremely good (which was why I sent the lens to him in the first place). Sometimes things work out and sometimes not, I'd say. I have to share the blame as I just let time slip without doing anything more than making occasional and very desultory phone calls a couple of times each year. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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