Should I sell my v4 KoB??

[weatherproof]

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14 hours ago, streetpussy said:

Like I said before, I DO worry about leica prices dropping with all the terrible stuff going on in the world, but if I’m wrong, I could sell it down the road if I decide.

 

I don't see Leica prices dropping from foreign conflicts, but interest towards photography does ebb and flow. But back in 2010, did anyone expect Mandler-era glass to appreciate the way it has?

[streetpussy]

I'm still a bit torn. Love how small my M6 setup is with the v3 without hood. Seems like I can get away without a hood because the glass is so recessed? It's cool not having to worry about knocking the hood and breaking the lens in half. I've finally scanned some more rolls and I have some great images with the v3. BUT, my god, 90% of my v4 pictures just POP. The subjects look like they're 3D, coming out of the goddamn screen. The one thing is, selling Leica gear online is so scary. I'd rather sell for less and do transactions in person. People are super picky (so am I clearly) and a tiny pieces of dust you didn't see can be the end of the world for the buyer. My biggest fear is someone buying the lens, dropping it or worse, blaming me, and then sending it back. Seems like eBay ALWAYS sides with buyers. I sent the fella who wants the v4 several videos with the flashlight on so he can see any and all imperfections and he still wants it.... But again, like recommended, the move is probably to keep shooting with the v4 and keeping the v3 as a backup. Prices are only going to go up. But of course, the v4 sat on eBay for 3 months before someone was willing to pay my asking price..

In somewhat related news, I have a v3 50mm summicron I started to use quite a bit when trying out this focal length and it's a damn underrated lens. But last month, I bought recently CLA'd by DAG rigid 50mm for $650 simply because there are some "cleaning marks" on the coating. Shot a test roll and it literally makes no difference. Oddly enough I can't tell a huge difference between the rigid and the v3 50mm, they're just... kind of different.

 

[streetpussy]

I was dismounting the lens earlier and I noticed this "click" noise and what felt like a little bit of play. So I rocked it back and forth a few times and the click noise and play persisted. However, if I hold the lens by the mount and aperture ring together, the noise and shifting feeling goes away. My other three Leica lenses don't do this, so just making sure this is normal, something I never noticed. Is this just the sound of the big aperture ring?

When I bought the lens several years ago, it arrived with the front retainer ring misaligned with a cockeyed hood, and the front half of the lens was coming loose sort of like a slinky. DAG fixed and CLA'd it and it's been smooth sailing ever since, but I've always been paranoid since then. 

 

Link to the video showing what I'm talking about. Listen closely

 

Edited January 7, 2024 by streetpussy

[weatherproof]

On 1/1/2024 at 3:52 AM, streetpussy said:

I found a standup fella who wants to buy the v4 for $2500.

 

If this person wants to buy your v4 for around market price knowing all its warts; sell it. Then buy another copy of the v4 that you'll be more comfortable with in a few months for +/- $200 USD.

[rtai]

6 hours ago, streetpussy said:

I was dismounting the lens earlier and I noticed this "click" noise and what felt like a little bit of play. So I rocked it back and forth a few times and the click noise and play persisted. However, if I hold the lens by the mount and aperture ring together, the noise and shifting feeling goes away. My other three Leica lenses don't do this, so just making sure this is normal, something I never noticed. Is this just the sound of the big aperture ring?

When I bought the lens several years ago, it arrived with the front retainer ring misaligned with a cockeyed hood, and the front half of the lens was coming loose sort of like a slinky. DAG fixed and CLA'd it and it's been smooth sailing ever since, but I've always been paranoid since then. 

 

Link to the video showing what I'm talking about. Listen closely

 

None of my lenses do this. 

[romualdo]

whenever I see the acronym KoB it immediatly reminds me of Miles Davis classic LP "Kind of Blue" & not a Leica camera lens