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Hazing doesn't produce bokeh.

 

Indeed, and either the dealer does not know this simple fact, or more likely is out to prey on those who don't.

 

This new Fungus-Bokeh Special Edition Elmar sounds to me more than a bit akin to digital cameras that "last a lifetime" and similar malarkey.

 

Good short-term tactics for taking in people with more money than sense, but unwise as long-term strategies for any serious company,

Edited by M9reno
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I think the problem that  they are having is that the person who writes the ads is a bit muddled up about "bokeh" (as the word implies anyway ;) ). Somebody should have a quiet talk with the store owner.

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Mere muddle seems unlikely to me.

 

It's a not un-common sales pitch, this supposed haze-bokeh and fungus-bokeh in older Leica lenses.

 

I've heard fungus and haze praised to the skies more than once by dealers I'd rather stay away from, including one in the appropriately named (P-) Bull Yard.  That store - I can't fail to note - is no mere eBay huckster, but now again a Leica Premier dealer... though one would be taxed to find many positive comments about them in this forum or anywhere else.

 

Meanwhile, decent and knowledgeable people like Croydon Photo Centre get pushed out of the dealership fold... a worrying ethos.

Edited by M9reno
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If we can have brassed bodies .....?

 

This puts hundreds of pounds on to the value of some of my old equipment.

In that case I will put some up for sale shortly - I'd prefer better looking ones ;) .

 

I've heard fungus and haze praised to the skies more than once by dealers I'd rather stay away from, including one in the appropriately named (P-) Bull Yard.  That store - I can't fail to note - is no mere eBay huckster, but now again a Leica Premier dealer... though one would be taxed to find many positive comments about them in this forum or anywhere else.

Well I could supply a positive comment in all seriousness, as I've had good dealings with them. There does seem to be a shift in the ethos of many camera dealers though - its a very competitive market so I suppose most have to try to follow where sales come from - and the 'traditional' camera shop is less common than it used to be which is a real pity.

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Oh dear oh dear oh dear....

 

Leica 5cm (50mm) f/2.8 Elmar 

This screw fitting lens is in good cosmetic condition for its age

The lens has slight hazing and fungus, producing a classic 'Bokeh' when used

Condition - 6/10

SN - 1637489

 

 

Leaving aside the bokeh sales bollocks, I'm not sure how a lens with both hazing and fungus is considered 6/10 for condition. I know that there is no objective standard for grading equipment but I've often wondered how even the skankiest lens or body usually merits at least 6 or 7 for condition (or is rated Exc rather than Exc+ or Exc++, etc.) :rolleyes:

Edited by wattsy
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Advertisement (gone after registration)

While we may argue over the degree of wrong doing, the ad is sort of like a surgeon advertising a leg amputation to facilitate achieving that "Long John Silver" look. Quite unacceptable. Regards, Ron

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Leaving aside the bokeh sales bollocks, I'm not sure how a lens with both hazing and fungus is considered 6/10 for condition. I know that there is no objective standard for grading equipment but I've often wondered how even the skankiest lens or body usually merits at least 6 or 7 for condition (or is rated Exc rather than Exc+ or Exc++, etc.) :rolleyes:

 

Would rating of 1 mean; broken glass, seized focus and disintegrated diaphragm? You just know that someone would still buy ..... ;).

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And I was entertained by watching a trashed Leica Lens (spares or repairs) sell on ebay for quite a sum. Why? It was trashed! Well used is no problem usually, but broken and admittedly so?

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Who would like to buy my car? It has a very worn out engine, rusty exhaust and balding tyres which gives a lovely classic racecar sound and feel of driving on the limit.

Does it have a dirty, cracked windscreen that produces classic bokeh?  If so, I'm in!

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For whatever intent the ad was written, it is certainly problematic if it is undeniably very misleading. In this case, I think it is so terribly misleading that the store should certainly correct it if they don't want to put their reputation to risk. 

 

Otherwise, they are guilty, though perhaps only out of ignorance of the true meaning of words and thus not entirely intentionally, of not only drawing false connections between aesthetic effects produced by the original optical design and a defect that only developed due to improper care after the lens had been made; but also implying that such a defect was very much intended in the first place. 

Edited by Rus
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Ben here from Leica Manchester.

 

Apologies for the mix up guys, changed it straight away. 

 

It was an error on the listing, but hey thats why pencils have erasers! Thanks to one of you guys for highlighting it to us. 

 

If you want to have a poll for the punishment for our web guy I'm all ears  :wacko:

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