t0tor0 Posted October 2, 2007 Share #1 Posted October 2, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) hi guys: i am not sure if this has been discuss before on this forum. i am wondering if anyone can give some guidelines here on how to inspect used lenses in general. what should one look out for? is haze ok and cleanable? etc... thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 2, 2007 Posted October 2, 2007 Hi t0tor0, Take a look here Buying used lenses. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
dseelig Posted October 2, 2007 Share #2 Posted October 2, 2007 I have bought more used lenses then new. Haze is a no go for me. Fungus is a bigger no go. Straches can be very small and work but, I like clean glass and ugly barrels can be fine. Keep looking on the new sometimes someone will sell something nice at alow price jsut to get rid of it fast. I got a 25 zeissM on ebay for 550. I fund a leica 35 1.4 aspherical for 1500. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted October 2, 2007 Share #3 Posted October 2, 2007 I agree. Visible glass surfaces should be glossy and of an even colour (intact coating). Haze is caused by a devitrifying of the glass itself (a slow change from the amorphous 'vitreous' state to crystallization) and is progressive and incurable. Internal dust in small amounts is not objectionable, but only Leica should do the cleaning as disassembly and reassembly are critical. Fungus is OUT. Poisons like thymol are prohibited, no other cure exists, the fungus tends to return after cleaning, and the thing is infectious. The look of the lens barrel does not matter, except if it reveals past abuse and trauma. Do check the filter thread. If it has been bashed in, it is hopeless. But the state of the bayonet is important. The diaphragm must work distinctly, with no oil on the blades. The focusing helical can be lubricated and re-set by a competent camera mechanic (not a reformed key-cutter). If you buy by mail, use a reputable seller, such as Leicashop in Vienna. They are very trustworthy. The old man from the Age of Leather Bellows Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
j. borger Posted October 2, 2007 Share #4 Posted October 2, 2007 I only buy used lenses from respectable 2nd hand dealers in at least A+ condition...... not cheap ........ but remember.... you get what you pay for.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbarker13 Posted October 2, 2007 Share #5 Posted October 2, 2007 I've never actually bought a new Lecia lens. I've bought (and sold many of them) at least two dozen during the past couple decades. I've purchased from ebay (only from people with well established track records), camera stores (KEH is my favorite for bargains) and from the RF forum. Maybe I'm just very lucky, but I've only gotten one lemon - and the seller promptly paid to fix it. I tend to believe that people who buy Leica equipment tend to take pretty good care of it. Of course it's a little more iffy when you're buying lenses that are several decades old. My best advice is that if you are nervous at all, just make sure you are buying from someone with a track record and who allows returns for any reason. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colorflow Posted October 2, 2007 Share #6 Posted October 2, 2007 I have also bought and sold dozens of Leica lenses on eBay. Have not had a single problem. I only look for ones in mint or excellent+ condition from established sellers. Usually email them with questions before bidding. Pretty easy to spot fraudulant or less than honest sellers. Alan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted October 2, 2007 Share #7 Posted October 2, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) The problems depend upon THE AGE... in Leica world is rather normal to consider to buy a lens of around 50 years ago... (I use regularly a Summilux 35 of 1960... and sometimes a Summarex 85 of 1954...onto a M8 body 4 months old). Leica users tipically have well treated their gear, so I have observed that for a lens of about 20-25 years ago the inspection is simple: if the body is fine and the lenses unscratched, you have a good lens to use and is unprobable that some strange problem arises... they are very well manufactured. For the very old items, things are much more delicate, if you plan to use them... as other have said all the mechanism inside can be at risk : focus helicoid, diaphragm blades movement... and if the mounting flange (BM or SM) is not perfect, the lens IS NOT TO BUY... the flange is the hardest and best machined part of the lenses: if IT is even slightly damaged, you can expect that the whole lens is less than good. And the glass of the oldies is an issue : the problem of hazing I think is present in a great share of the prewar and '40s lenses : personally, in my collection I have 16 lenses aged from 1931 to 1949... and 6 or 7 show hazing. But if you are speaking of "standard used" lenses i repeat that the inspection is simple : you can find easily lenses of 1 or 2 generation past (just to say... Summicrons 35 / 50 / 90... Tele Elmar 135, Elamrit 28) : they do not cost a lot and many are in very good shape. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skippy Sanchez Posted October 3, 2007 Share #8 Posted October 3, 2007 beyond the glass/fungus/focus issues, be sure the focus & apeture rings are smooth, even & not too tight or loose. usually a lubrication issue, which is easy enough for a technician to take care of, but sometimes it can be an indication of internal damage from being dropped, banged or other mechanical issues. i prefer apeture rings to be on the tighter side so they don't move around on me, but the focus ring should be smooth and silky. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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