Best place to get Leica UK

[TheVanguard]

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Congrats. When you say you got the 50 "lux", are you referring to the Summilux or Noctilux?

 

Note that I did not get my Noctilux calibrated to the M240. It's perfect. I think the calibration need is very rare. Don't think it's a neces

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[Leicauser7]

FWIW. Dealers who sell new Leica M gear supplied by Leica UK are all reputable - or Leica would not supply them. If you search through the posts on the forum you will quickly find out which people find most helpful.

 

Secondly, used Leica lenses are subject to two caveats. Firstly pre-digital era lenses were built for film not digital and their calibration may differ slightly and secondly (which ties in well with the first point) is that even superbly built, mechanical lenses need adjustment after years of usage or storage. We tend to forget just how old some immaculate looking lenses actually are, and if they are less than immaculate then they have probably seen a good amount of use. I would suggest that after 10 years or so it would be prudent to get a lens checked and, if then required, adjusted/serviced, but I doubt many do. 'If it ain't broke don't fix it' seems to be the prevailing attitude here and whilst I can fully accept and understand this, it doesn't mean to say that an older lens which is on the market may not be on the market for a good reason.

 

I've had my share of lenses which didn't focus as well as they should and the tight tolerances required by digital cameras certainly saw many having to sort errors out. It says something about the build quality of Leica lenses that they can be brought into tight enough tolerances to work with digital bodies. And all that said, I'd worry far more about other aspects of lens problems such as fungus, 'mistiness' (whatever the cause) and misalignment due to drops/knocks (which many not show easily until a lens is used) but buying from a reputable dealer with a decent warranty should give peace of mind over anything amiss that's not immediately apparent.

I assume that ANY fast (1.4) new or used lens that I purchase will require calibration to a digital body -- NEW or used. Of the 6 fast lenses that I own, 4 have required calibration and only 1 was purchased used (a 75 lux, which was one of the 4).

 

 

 

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[LocalHero1953]

The only lens I've had that needed recalibration was my Apo-Summicron 90, purchased nearly new from a London main dealer. My Summilux 35 FLE (bought new) was fine. My M240 OTOH is now back in for a second recalibration in four years. 

[pgk]

I assume that ANY fast (1.4) new or used lens that I purchase will require calibration to a digital body -- NEW or used. Of the 6 fast lenses that I own, 4 have required calibration and only 1 was purchased used (a 75 lux, which was one of the 4).

 

Not my experience. I've had a number of lenses which were well out - several E39 135mm T-Es - but my E46 versoin is spot on. A 90 Summicron or two, a 75mm Summicron - again I have one which is very accurate now. But all the f/1.4 lenses I've owned (35s and 50s - several) have been fine. I also have a 75mm Summilux which was bought knowing that it needed a service (it was extraordinarily off - as in wouldn't focus properly) but it is now perfect. I've not had an M digital body  sent in to check or 'calibrate' and so far have had 5. As ever different people have different experiences - generalisations based on our own experiences tell others little though, other that is, than that we all have different experiences .

[leepoe]

I would visit one of the Leica stores and try both out for a while. Here in the us they will let you work with it for the day or part of. It's a big difference from a DSLR. I have used both rangefinder and SLR for over 50 years so to me the rangefinder is not hard and very fast to focus with lens up to 50mm.  Good Luck!