Advice when buying a 2nd hand Leica Lens

[Leonil]

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So I have just won an ebay bid on a 50mm Summicron that's about 2 years old. No real apparent damage and the listen claims as new condition.

 

I just wanted to know, was I daft bidding for this? Its just so convenient that it was right in my budget for a 50mm Summarit and a almost new Summicron came up in ebay Australia (we cant buy items from overseas over $1000 because of the GST and other taxes we have which will add an extra $200 to the price of $1000 and goes up from there - including shipping)

 

Please honestly let me know if I did a dumb move because I know nothing about Leica other than knowing how to use one and knowing that the way it shoots is just right for me. But when it comes to knowing if something is worth it in terms of Leica prices and quality, well... if I did something stupid, feel free to say so.

 

Here is the link to the listing

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Leica-Summicron-M-50mm-f-2-0-MF-Lens-/261308049974?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&nma=true&si=dxLHt2FsXg5gKZkdc%252Fn8fDUtybU%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc#ht_78wt_1399

 

Leo

[Ecar]

Seems like a fair deal to me.

[jdlaing]

+1

[Luke_Miller]

That is what I paid for mine several years ago in used-like new condition. So I believe it is a fair price today. Great lens by the way. The more I use it the more I come to appreciate it.

[algrove]

The good thing about buying Leica used is you always have Solms as a back stop if ever needed. OK, you might pay plenty in Solms, but they do stand behind the product and their work. From Australia it might be a test of patience to use Solms, but again they are your back stop.

[Leonil]

Would anyone also pay the same amount for a non-6bit coded SILVER cron? same condition?

[algrove]

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Would anyone also pay the same amount for a non-6bit coded SILVER cron? same condition?

 

What camera do you use?

[Leonil]

What camera do you use?

In December, I will have a brand spanking new M240

 

Forgive a newbie statement, but I hear that old lenses can work on the M240 almost identically with lenses that are the same but with a 6bit code, is that correct (for example, 2 summicrons but one has 6 bit, and the difference isn't so different.)

 

The silver one being offered to me is from 2002, and the black one for the same price is coded, but from 2010

[farnz]

Leo, welcome to the forum!

 

It looks like you got the last pre-aspherical version of the 50 Summicron for around the going price. The seller says it's in mint condition but as we know that's subjective can very widely from seller to seller. I hope the glass is fine when you receive it because there's no way to tell from the pictures but there's also no reason to think that it would be otherwise so no need to fret either. I think you both got a fair deal.

 

You hear right about non-coded lenses with the M240 (and M8, M9 and MM); for 50 mm lenses the only difference with a non-coded lens is that the lens's details won't show up in the EXIF file. With wide angle lenses (35 mm and wider) the coding enables Leica digital cameras to apply appropriate optical correction to compensate for the oblique angle at which light rays hit the sensor owing to the short distance between the rear element and the sensor. Typically the correction reduces vignetting and removes a cyan cast in extreme wides.

 

The silver 2002 lens (version 4?) might benefit from a CLA, which is added cost and will be significantly heavier because it's made of brass. I believe they're the same optical formula so their performance should be the same although the 2010 version has a pull-out lens shade, which the 2002 doesn't.

 

Pete.

[tobey bilek]

50 mm and longer lenses need little to no correction for edge rays. M9 and probably 240 has the ability to code in camera menu so any minor correction will be in the file without coding lens. 50 mm will also show in exif data.

 

Do not self code as there is no real professional way. I have done many and they all work, but are never as cosmetically perfect as a factory upgrade. New bayonets from China have thickness problems and I have had to grind down most of them I used. I can only get close to matching shades of white & grey that the factory uses, although they function perfectly

[Leonil]

Thanks for the advice guys.

 

Ive decided to ask the ebayer to give me the chrome version offered as (to be honest) I preffered the chrome over the black (as I will be buying the chrome M240)

 

According to the ebayer the chrome lens is in better condition than the black and it LOOKS identical to the black version and looks like its got a pop out hood (I haven't asked for a photo of it extended) BUT uncoded and Ive worked with film for too long to not care about EXIF data that much (at leas the camera can be told what the FL is)

 

What is a CLA and how much is it to ask Solms to do that? I hear its very expensive and I sort of spent my entire lens budget on the summicron instead of getting a new in box summarit.

 

If a Summicron that hasn't seen much use worth the CLA (whatever it is) ?

 

And again, thankyou all for the assistance, Im learning so much and a little scared of the fact I dropped 2 weeks pay into a lens.

 

@famz - I don't mind if the lens is heavier than normal, I do love the colour of the chrome and having a bit more weight to balance the lens on my hand while focusing is imo, never a bad thing. Ive played with cameras with featherlike lenses and it just doesn't feel right.

[farnz]

Leo,

 

A CLA is a clean, lubricate and adjust, and is mainly lens maintenance. When buying used lenses it's often a good idea to have it done because you don't know how the lens has been treated during its life or whether someone less than qualified has 'had a go' at fixing it and left it worse off. For example, I bought a 1950's 50/2 Summicron collapsible that was very slightly off focus and sent it to Malcolm Taylor (an expert on Leica lenses in the UK) who told me after he'd repaired it and given it a CLA that someone had replaced the rear set of elements the wrong way round.

 

Typically Leica lenses shouldn't need a CLA for about 20 to 30 years if well-treated but ... A CLA can cost anything from £100 or so to £500 depending on what needs doing. If you send it to Solms they'll take a look and send you a quote for the work. If it's more than you want to pay just ask them to return it.

 

I have a silver chrome M240 too so I understand what you say about chrome lenses.

 

Pete.

[algrove]

Besides a CLA, Leica can 6 bit code the lens for you. I personally like all my lenses 6 bit coded so I know what lens was used on each image should I require that data. It is also good for analyzing how much you use a lens over a certain time period. As stated, the 6 bit coding can come in handy for any lens corrections.