90mm Summicron M AA scuff on front element coating - what to do?

[Tobers]

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Help!

I have found a scuff on the front element coating of my 90 AA. I haven’t noticed it before and it doesn’t seem to impact image quality. The glass itself looks OK, it appears that its a bit of the coating that has been scuffed off by something. It’s a couple of mm across, and I’m not sure what to do about it. Likely I’ll need to sell the lens soon to raise some money for other things, so would it be better to get Leica to replace the front element, or just leave it as is and ensure any buyer knows about it?

Grateful for any advice from the group. Thanks!

Edited March 7, 2021 by Tobers
typo

[lct]

I suppose your lens is not under warranty anymore. I would then warn buyers in writing to protect your rights.

[giannis]

5 hours ago, Tobers said:

so would it be better to get Leica to replace the front element

Unless you get that one for free, of course it's not worth it. You want to spend a minimum of $500+ (or more realistically $1000+) so you can get a $100-$150 higher price, if that, when selling? Doesn't make sense.

Describe the lens accurately, provide clear photos of the lens showing the minor scuff, and provide pictures taken with the lens to show the (lack of) effect on the images. If it doesn't sell for the price you set, lower the price. There's no chance in hell you'll get even a fraction of the money you spent on element replacement, by a higher sell price just because the lens will be slightly more minty.

Edited March 8, 2021 by giannis
typos, emphasis

[Tobers]

Thanks that’s very helpful. I haven’t checked how much it would cost to get the front element replaced so maybe I’ll just sell it as is, with clear description, pictures etc. I’m sure it’ll be a bargain for someone.

 

[Tobers]

Just got a quote back from Leica at £600 + VAT (£720 total, plus shipping) to replace the front element, so I think I'll sell it as is and someone will get a bargain.

[LocalHero1953]

I suspect you'll get more money if you get it fixed first - you can sell it as factory-refurbished - which it will be.

I made the mistake of putting the same lens face down on some uneven rock, and got a tiny chip on the front element. Like yours, it had no visible effect on image quality. I got it fixed before selling (a similar cost to your quote) and sold it for a good price when I left the M system.

[dkmoore]

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+1 local hero. 
 

$3000k - $35000 with perfect glass. 
 

$2k with front element scuff. 
 

say you spend $750, the difference is likely an additional $750 in your pocket. But, you have to weigh the hassle of sending the lens, etc. 

[LeicaR10]

Tobers...+1 with Local Hero and Dkmoore.  You will get more $$ when you replace the lens element based on my experience with similar damage as you described.  r/ Mark 

[chasdfg]

I guess it'd depend on the condition of the lens as a whole as well, and potentially whether it comes with the box, papers and pouch. I'd replace the front element if the lens is otherwise in great shape cosmetically (i.e. little to no scruffs). If it's mint/mint- with the box and papers it'd definitely be easier to sell with a new front element + the CLA it will get when it goes in for that element replacement (the box thing is secondary - i personally feel it'd hinge on the external cosmetic condition of the lens and possible how clean the lens is internally).

If it's got user marks on the body you can save yourself the hassle of sending it in and just package it as a "user" lens and knock £500 off the asking price (or more).

I'm not sure how worthwhile it is sending the lens in because it will take a while to get back to you and possibly multiple trips. I sent my Noct f1 in for a front element replacement and the entire process (2 trips) took almost 1 year, granted it was largely due to COVID-19 restrictions and manpower shortages at Wetzlar. The calibration was off when the lens came back the first time round. I only sent it in because I didn't know how much stock they had left in terms of spare parts, so I just wanted to get the repair out of the way. Cost was about the same as what they quoted you for your 90APO. If the lens was a current production lens which I was considering selling, I'd probably not have sent it in.

[LocalHero1953]

As a buyer, the value I'd be prepared to pay would be reduced by more than the known cost of repair; I'd factor in the uncertainty that such scuffs were a sign of poor treatment, and there might be other faults - miscalibration etc. As a factory refurbished lens, most of those uncertainties would be eliminated and I'd pay more than I would for an otherwise typical used lens.

[pgk]

On 3/8/2021 at 7:50 AM, Tobers said:

Thanks that’s very helpful. I haven’t checked how much it would cost to get the front element replaced so maybe I’ll just sell it as is, with clear description, pictures etc. I’m sure it’ll be a bargain for someone.

I would try selling it with a reduced price but not by as much as the cost of the repair. As its unlikely that a small scuff will cause any image problems, anyone who wants the lens to use (over any desire for a pristine example) may well find that £4-500 less for a scuff is well worth having. If it doesn't sell this way you can always reduce the price. I would suspect that with shipping and any additional adjustments which might be required you will be looking at rather more than £720 for the repair.

Current dealer prices range from £17-1900 in the UK so starting it at say £1350 is a good bit off and gives you room to reduce it further if it doesn't sell. Provided that you are up front with your description you will simply see if anyone is interested at the price and at worst you will know that it has to be repaired if it doesn't sell.

FWIW I have an Elmarit-M with coating damage which I paid not a lot for. But in this case eplacing the front element is uneconomic as I have had a similar price quoted, and the damage does cause highlight bleed. Fortunately I find that the lens still has its place and is usable for specific shots so is far from being scrap.

[Tobers]

All great info and suggestions, thanks! 

 

I do have the box and papers for it. Now I know the price of the repair, I like the idea of selling it as is, at dealer price less the fix cost. I’m not sure I can be bothered sending it to Leica in Germany. Call me lazy and you’d be right!

[rramesh]

When you repair a Leica lens you will get warranty. Sell with that warranty.