arthurpreston Posted October 19, 2007 Share #1 Posted October 19, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello everyone. I saw an ad in a photo magazine for "Tamarkin" in New York...they have Leica cameras and lenses for sale (used). Have any of you used them before, and were you satisfied? I'm trying to buy a lens or two, but the new ones always seem to be "out of stock" at the other place I shop. Sorry if this is not the right place for such a question, I'm only a week old in this forum Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 19, 2007 Posted October 19, 2007 Hi arthurpreston, Take a look here have you ever bought used lenses?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
spydrxx Posted October 19, 2007 Share #2 Posted October 19, 2007 Hi Arthur and welcome to the forum. I've bought most of my Leica lenses used over the last 38 years. Like anything else, you need to exercise good judgment and due diligence. I used Tamarkin about 9-10 years ago for some accessories and they provided fine service, albeit a little more expensive than some others. I personally have found Ebay to offer an outstanding range of options and have been both a buyer and seller there for about 5 years now. You will hear he horror stories, just as you would for many businesses, but again asking the right questions of sellers and doing your own due diligence can often turn up items which are difficult to find elsewhere. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted October 19, 2007 Share #3 Posted October 19, 2007 Arthur, most of my lenses were purchased used. I also recommend you use a dependable source, but I have even bought on eBay with success. It's a great way to buy an otherwise expensive lens. It's also a good way to get lenses at the moment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
miami91 Posted October 19, 2007 Share #4 Posted October 19, 2007 Hi Arthur and welcome to the forum. I've bought most of my Leica lenses used over the last 38 years. Like anything else, you need to exercise good judgment and due diligence. I used Tamarkin about 9-10 years ago for some accessories and they provided fine service, albeit a little more expensive than some others. I personally have found Ebay to offer an outstanding range of options and have been both a buyer and seller there for about 5 years now. You will hear he horror stories, just as you would for many businesses, but again asking the right questions of sellers and doing your own due diligence can often turn up items which are difficult to find elsewhere. Arthur, Tamarkin is certainly one of the big name Leica dealers, but I know from other threads that opinions of his/their service tend to vary widely. I've seen complaints that Stan Tamarkin is rude, but I've purchased items from him (not used lenses, alas) and found him perfectly pleasant. Steve, Off topic I know, but you live in McHenry Illinois? I lived part of my childhood in Woodstock. Small world (and two small towns). Jeff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted October 19, 2007 Share #5 Posted October 19, 2007 I have bought all of my lenses second hand (at least), most of them from one particular dealer. It really pays to get to know a dealer well, if you can, as the personal service is well worth the effort. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted October 19, 2007 Share #6 Posted October 19, 2007 I have bought all of my lenses second hand (at least), most of them from one particular dealer. It really pays to get to know a dealer well, if you can, as the personal service is well worth the effort. Plus, the dealer needs someone to treat him well. He has to buy all his Leica stuff for cash! No deals for dealers. They need our friendly discourse. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
giordano Posted October 19, 2007 Share #7 Posted October 19, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Am I the only person here who's only ever bought used Leica and Leicaflex lenses? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angora Posted October 19, 2007 Share #8 Posted October 19, 2007 All my lenses have been bought used. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Likaleica Posted October 19, 2007 Share #9 Posted October 19, 2007 Arthur, I have never bought a new Leica lens, and only one new Leica camera (an R6). Bought my first R4sp in 1991. People tend to baby these things, and they are built like tanks to begin with, so if you find a reputable dealer you really can't go wrong with used. Recently, I have been buying equipment from Sean Cranor at Camera West in Monterey, California He is honest, fair, quick to respond and has great stuff and a very full inventory. Since I just got my R9/DMR (from him), I wanted to add a couple of lenses. I called him up when they arrived to tell him he mistakenly sent new lenses, because they were absolutely flawless and still had the original paperwork. He said, no, they were used, but barely. The DMR I bought had previously produced only 23 pictures. I don't know where these guys find this stuff, but it's the way to go. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenerrolrd Posted October 19, 2007 Share #10 Posted October 19, 2007 My experience with Tamarkin has been all bad..and you can chalk it up to a major attitude. All the dealers are great when you want to buy a big ticket item(like an M8) but you can really see what sets them apart in how they help you with the little items. I really needed a leica +1.0 diopter and I called tamarkin when searching. They had both a new and used diopter so I called in my order. The sales person was obviously busy with someone else and could barely stand to spend the time to take my credit card number. About two weeks later not having received it in time for a trip I called again. Sorry I don t remember talking with you and we have no record of your order. Also we don t have any in stock anymore. About two months later I got a call from the my winter housekeeper..you have a package..you got it....the diopter was sent to florida. I emailed tamarkin asking what happened as I had not agreed to order the item. I suggested that they just give me a discount of I think $15 to cover the shipping and avoid me having to reship it to them and wait for a refund. They said no send it back. Think about that if you buy a lens that say needs focus calibration. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsolomon Posted October 19, 2007 Share #11 Posted October 19, 2007 Tamarkin is a VERY knowledgable dealer - i have dealt with them a number of times over the years. They are an excellent place of business. There shop is on park ave south and 18th - a pleasure to visit with them and do business Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlancasterd Posted October 20, 2007 Share #12 Posted October 20, 2007 Hello everyone. I saw an ad in a photo magazine for "Tamarkin" in New York...they have Leica cameras and lenses for sale (used). Have any of you used them before, and were you satisfied? I'm trying to buy a lens or two, but the new ones always seem to be "out of stock" at the other place I shop.Sorry if this is not the right place for such a question, I'm only a week old in this forum I have no qualms at all over buying secondhand lenses from a reputable dealer. One of my favourite lenses for the M8, the CV 28mm Ultron 1.9, was bought secondhand at a useful discount and is still almost like new. I also have a pre-owned Vario-Elmarit-R 28-90 zoom, used with my R8/DMR, which is likewise perfect. I saved £400 over the going price for a new lens on that deal and it still had 18 months left on its 2-year 'all risks' passport. Just take care to buy from reputable dealers and you shouldn't go wrong. Private deals and Ebay are a different matter... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
telyt Posted October 20, 2007 Share #13 Posted October 20, 2007 The majority of my equipment was purchased used. In the USA http://www.keh.com is one of the best of the on-line dealers. Frequently when purchasing from a private party the equipment will need some service so this needs to be figured into the purchase cost. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted October 20, 2007 Share #14 Posted October 20, 2007 All Leica equipment I have ever bought, was used. The only exceptions were items that I had to have 'right now' and that were not available used - Leica M6 in 1986 and 2.8/100mm Apo-Macro R in 1988, both in their first year of production. And of course that list now includes the M8...... Lately, many items were bought through eBay. It is imperative that the description is accurate, with sharp pictures and that the seller answers a few 'skill testing questions'. I will not buy an item on eBay if the seller claims ignorance in photography and does not have a return policy. The "I know nothing and will not take it back if there is something wrong with it because I told you I knew nothing" is a dead giveaway. Best, Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjr Posted October 20, 2007 Share #15 Posted October 20, 2007 No but recently joined arms with a good friend and purchased a used Noctilux at 50-50 ownership ! It does work on the basis it is .......rarely used therefore the chances of being required at same time are rare. Excellent piece of glass ! If one is patient and keeps an eye the right optic will appear on the market sooner or later.BUT buy from a reputable dealer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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