piblondin Posted February 24, 2012 Share #1 Posted February 24, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm not sure there's really an answer to this question, but I would like to know what advice people have for buying a Leica, especially if you can't buy it in person—things to ask beforehand, dealers to use, etc. I feel like I've not had the best luck with these cameras—I've bought from dealers, eBay, and online forums. I do think the dealers mostly offered a better quality of service, but I'm not sure the end results were any better. Every Leica I've ever bought has either been returned or sent in for service almost immediately. M8: Seller claimed it was mint. Went back right away because of rangefinder misalignment, backfocusing, and high ISO banding. Leica fixed the rangefinder, but did not fix the banding. Returned immediately again to Leica for sensor replacement. M7: Sent to Leica to fix problem with battery drain. Circuit board replaced, DX reader upgraded to optical, camera returned to me with misaligned rangefinder. Camera immediately sent back to Leica for rangefinder alignment. M3 #1: Returned immediately upon receipt because of poor contrast in rangefinder patch. M3 #2: Returned immediately because of light leaks. Repair performed. Returned again because repair failed to completely fix light leaks. I really like my M8 and my M7, but I find the process of buying these cameras to be a huge pain. I save up, sometimes for years to buy one and then have to spend a significant amount insuring them and shipping them all over the country for repairs because they weren't checked satisfactorily before being sent to me in the first place. For context, I only buy used gear and the most important things to me are perfect shutter speeds, rangefinder alignment, and focusing and lack of dead pixels (on digital). What can I do better as a buyer to make sure that I don't buy cameras I don't want or want to have repaired as soon as they arrive? Thanks! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 24, 2012 Posted February 24, 2012 Hi piblondin, Take a look here How do I buy a good Leica?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
NZDavid Posted February 24, 2012 Share #2 Posted February 24, 2012 Good you could send your cameras back for repair without spending extra money. Research different models and reliability. Check prices on ebay or at dealers to give you an overview. Buy a camera in the best mechanical condition even if it costs more. Buying through a dealer will give you a guarantee or right of return. Check the reputation of the dealer. Appreciate you may still need to factor in a CLA (clean, lube, adjustment). You may get a good deal privately, but you are taking more risk. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
piblondin Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share #3 Posted February 24, 2012 Even when I bought through a dealer with warranty, I've still had to turn around and immediately ship the cameras back to the cost of anywhere from $40 to $100. On a related note, I feel like there's a lot of, "Oh, what's a hundred dollars when you've spent $XXXX on the camera or lens?" on these boards. Some of us go to great financial lengths so that we can use Leicas, and that doesn't leave a whole lot of room for things like repairs, shipping, accessories, etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NB23 Posted February 24, 2012 Share #4 Posted February 24, 2012 I feel for you! I must have spent at least 1000$ only in shipping to have my leicas repaired (shipped back and forth many times). There's always a glitch! I've sent many cameras and lenses more then twice to a same repairman to have the job done correctly. 100$ in shipping almost each time. Buying new with a Warranty solves a lot of problems but the cost is really prohibitive. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M. Valdemar Posted February 24, 2012 Share #5 Posted February 24, 2012 Some people have really bad luck buying used stuff and you sound like one of them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted February 24, 2012 Share #6 Posted February 24, 2012 ......For context, I only buy used gear...? Thanks! I'm sure this is not the answer you want, but surely your experience suggests that it might be worth your biting the bullet and buy a new Leica body. At least you can get a new replacement if a fault shows up as DOA (Dead on Arrival). If cost is a factor, wait until a model is about to be replaced when prices fall considerably. I bought my M8 that way with a huge saving and the knowledge that it was a mature model, less likely to have problems. And so it has proved. The X1 now has a leather case and external viewfinder bundled in with the same price making it a tempting bargain for someone patient enough to wait for this moment. It is reasonable to presume that a replacement is over the horizon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M. Valdemar Posted February 24, 2012 Share #7 Posted February 24, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) If you read all the OP's posts, they are a constant litany of problems, repairs, "back-focus", broken cameras, dealer returns, unsharp lenses, etc etc etc etc., ad infinitum. Nothing he ever buys works or functions properly. If I were the OP, I would investigate problems that were not related to hardware. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted February 24, 2012 Share #8 Posted February 24, 2012 Test the camera before you buy it (or get right of immediate return). If the dealer won't comply, find another dealer. Keep testing until you find one that meets your needs. There's no free lunch with used gear; either you'll spend extra time searching and testing, or you'll spend time waiting for repair. Incidentally, a good dealer will pay to ship back to Leica if immediate service is needed. I found a mint used M8.2 from a reputable dealer, and it had just come back from Leica for a full service (documented) paid for by the dealer. Takes time and effort. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kokoshawnuff Posted February 24, 2012 Share #9 Posted February 24, 2012 I've always had my best luck when buying used directly from Leica technicians. They will typically buy cameras at good prices with minor issues, fix them and make a small profit for a quick turn-over. At least you know its coming from someone that at least gave a full CLA for an older camera Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted February 25, 2012 Share #10 Posted February 25, 2012 Go to a reputable Leica dealer and buy from them and work with one person who you trust and feel comfortable talking with about your needs and budget. We all get screwed eventually on camera gear via eBay. Even via the LUF I have gotten screwed buying used. If you insist on used, KEH has a return policy of 14 day no hassle returns. They don't give their Leica stuff away, but stand behind what they sell you. Just don't buy BGN or you are setting yourself up for a disappointment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Messsucherkamera Posted February 25, 2012 Share #11 Posted February 25, 2012 NZDavid offers some very good advice: Buy a camera in the best mechanical condition even if it costs more. Buying through a dealer will give you a guarantee or right of return. Check the reputation of the dealer. So did algrove: Go to a reputable Leica dealer and buy from them and work with one person who you trust and feel comfortable talking with about your needs and budget. And kokoshawnuff is onto something here: I've always had my best luck when buying used directly from Leica technicians. I can recommend Camera West ( Fine New & Used Photo Equipment from Camera West - Walnut Creek & Rancho Mirage, CA) and Sherry Krauter (Sherry Krauter.com -- Home of the Golden Touch. ) based on personal experience. You can't go wrong in doing business with either one. You have to be very careful if you choose to buy a used Leica camera or lens on eBay, especially if buying from individuals. On second thought, it's probably best to avoid it like the plague. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
piblondin Posted February 25, 2012 Author Share #12 Posted February 25, 2012 If you read all the OP's posts, they are a constant litany of problems, repairs, "back-focus", broken cameras, dealer returns, unsharp lenses, etc etc etc etc., ad infinitum. Nothing he ever buys works or functions properly. If I were the OP, I would investigate problems that were not related to hardware. That's fair. I definitely think I have tighter tolerances for what I'm looking for than most. With that said, I've been able to get the cameras I did keep to a state that I find quite satisfactory. That it took some trouble to get them there does perplex me a bit, though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted February 27, 2012 Share #13 Posted February 27, 2012 That it took some trouble to get them there does perplex me a bit, though. Post #8. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted February 27, 2012 Share #14 Posted February 27, 2012 I think you've been unlucky. If you're a very picky sort then really you need to buy in person, so you can check the condition there and then rather than rely on someone else's opinion. Always be prepared for some 'leeway' and if you're buying the gear to use rather than collect, concentrate on the mechanical/optical condition rather that worrying about a minor ding or scratch on the body. As per others advice, if you absolutely must buy remotely then stick to dealers who offer a no fuss return policy, and warranty. I would also suggest speaking to the dealer and asking for a verbal description of the condition. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 27, 2012 Share #15 Posted February 27, 2012 I bought from Meister - an Elmarit M 90, which both the shop and I thought worked perfectly. I sent it to Leica for coding - and they found it needed an expensive repair. I contacted meister and the arranged everything with Leica. I did not even have to pay for the coding. And I stil cannot figure out what was wrong with the lens - So what you need is a dealer with that level of service. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJP Posted February 27, 2012 Share #16 Posted February 27, 2012 I bought from Meister - an Elmarit M 90, which both the shop and I thought worked perfectly. I sent it to Leica for coding - and they found it needed an expensive repair. I contacted meister and the arranged everything with Leica. I did not even have to pay for the coding. And I stil cannot figure out what was wrong with the lens - So what you need is a dealer with that level of service.Maybe mr. Butterfingers at Leica inadvertently drilled a big hole in the lens while coding:D Cause and event can be complex sometimes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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