Used Leica lens needs service - Let KEH do it?

[dubes]

I am a long-time customer of KEH, having purchased both used and new equipment from them over the years. I recently took delivery of a used 'EX' grade Leica m-mount lens that has oil on the aperture blades (this was not mentioned in the description, but then the description also said the lens had a built-in lens hood, which it did not, nor was the bayonet hood included). This lens is out of production and difficult to come by in the used market, and KEH had only the one copy in their inventory.

I am still within their 14-day return period, so do you think I should:
(1) Return the lens and start the hunt over again?
(2) Send the lens back to KEH to clean the aperture blades? Used lenses are covered by their 60 day warranty, but I don't know how experienced they are repairing Leica equipment and hate the idea that they'd make things worse / unusable.
(3) Send the lens to an experienced Leica repairer, and absorb the cost of the repairs myself?

All opinions welcome. I'd be particularly interested in hearing from folks who have had Leica equipment repaired by KEH and whether the results were satisfactory.

Thanks!
Mike

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear Mike,

Why worry about a small amount of oil/polishing on the diaphragm?

If there's LOTS of oil, return it. Otherwise I'd be more worried that it was a (presumably earlier) lens than described.

Fixing Leica kit is often EASIER than fixing cheap kit. It's hand-assembled and can be taken apart/repaired by hand. I know nothing about KEH's repair dept but would be astonished if they were incompetent.

Have you tried it? What are the results like?

Cheers,

R.

 

[JMQ]

You didn't state which lens. If the lens is rare, and you got a good price, send it to DAG or Sherry for a CLA -- hopefully the cost of the CLA is factored into the final cost. I had many cameras and lenses repaired or CLAed by these wonderful folks. I bought from KEH before, but did not have anything repaired by them. As for the hood, you were told that the hood is included , so I expect them to deliver the hood or make you a financial adjustment. Return if they refuse.

 

[johannielscom]

used 'EX' grade Leica m-mount lens that has oil on the aperture blades (this was not mentioned in the description, but then the description also said the lens had a built-in lens hood, which it did not, nor was the bayonet hood included).

If their lens cleaning service is even slightly resembling their listing skills, I'd return it and have another go at a similar lens in the future.

If considering their service on the lens, I'd take their solid assurance that it either cleans up or you get a complete refund. After all, it was their mistake(s) in the listing.

Never dealt with KEH myself in the past, but a lot of folks recently commented on how their listings have become more erroneous lately. Maybe someone knowledgable retired? 😕

 

[thomasw_]

You didn't state which lens. If the lens is rare, and you got a good price, send it to DAG or Sherry for a CLA -- hopefully the cost of the CLA is factored into the final cost. I had many cameras and lenses repaired or CLAed by these wonderful folks. I bought from KEH before, but did not have anything repaired by them. As for the hood, you were told that the hood is included , so I expect them to deliver the hood or make you a financial adjustment. Return if they refuse.

Ditto......(The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 10 characters.)

 

[Mephiloco]

I would call KEH or email them, state that the lens you received was different than the one stated online (yours not having a built in hood) and mention the oil on the blades, even if it is a small amount. In my experience KEH have been good people to deal with and perhaps you can get them to adjust the price accordingly.

 

[whitecat]

Send it back. I'm sure they will honor it.

 

[Steve M.]

I've had very good results buying gear and having a shutter repaired from KEH. They're human and make mistakes, but generally their customer service is far above most any other mail order used camera store. Contact them on the phone first no matter what you do. If it were me I'd send it back and ask them to clean it. This is a relatively simple fix. If I remember correctly their items have a 60 day warranty, and their repairs also have either a 90 day or 6 mo warranty as well. Considering that a lot of their gear is 50 years old or older it's pretty amazing they offer any sort of warranty at all. In over 15 years of buying from them I think I have had one, or at the most two, items that weren't as described, and returning them was simple and hassle free.

 

[dubes]

All, thanks for the replies.

Roger, the oil on the aperture blades manifested itself in the course of testing the lens, and it's a non-trivial amount of oil (at least, it seems so to me, but it's also the first time in 30 years that I've seen oily aperture blades). Yes, it is an older version (hence bayonet hood vs. built-in), but I have come to appreciate that that has pros as well as cons. I only had an opportunity to do a few test images, and those were under less than ideal conditions (bad lighting, no tripod), but the results hint that I could be satisfied with the glass itself.

I did speak to the folks at KEH and of course they stand behind their return policy (I mean this in a good way). They are also willing to have their repair folks clean the aperture blades if that’s the direction I want to go instead, and in that case they’d even pay the cost of shipping back to them. Comparing like-for-like, the price of the lens was decent relative to the auction site, but that cost advantage dwindles if I have to buy the hood. (I did not raise the issue of the missing lens hood with them.) Of course, one of the pluses of buying from a dealer like KEH instead of E*** is that KEH offers a warranty! Yet the advice so far is to not use KEH's warranty service. Which, admittedly, is the way I was leaning, too.


So, it comes down to option 1--send it back and start over, or option 3--keep it and send it to someone trustworthy to do the job. At this point, I am leaning toward option 1.

 

[rdeleskie]

If it is an older lens, and you are happy with the optical performance, I would consider keeping it and having KEH effect the repair. The next copy of this lens you buy may have issues of its own, and the return policy may not be so generous. I agree with the other posters that if a hood was part of the listing, but not included, KEH either owes you a hood or a reduction in price. Good luck with this!

 

[pagpow]

Least risk -- no. 1

Really want the lens? unlikely to find another? you decide if that is worth #3.

I, YMMV, would prefer to send it to a known quantity specializing in Leica than to a general repair shop -- and I do think the missing hood, mislisted quality both warrant an adjustment in price, which they have been reported to make with some other problems.

Doesn't KEH Exc include complete functionality?

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

I used to love KEH. But, last year, i sent them a Bronica RF645 to repair. I had purchased it from them. But, somehow, it got 'lost.' At first, they couldn't find it. Then, after a long period of time, they said they had to send it to Tamron because they weren't able to repair it. But, then another long period passed, and they were unable to give me any information about it, nor the expected timeframe for return. Eventually, they just offered me a refund on the purchase price and i had to take it because i needed gear for a project out of the country. The whole business lasted nearly three months. In the end, even months after that, i was never able to get an answer about the camera.

If it's that important to you and so rare that you couldn't easily replace it, i'd send it to a smaller, more personal repair person/service. The thing with KEH, with my camera, it was sent to them first for a simple RF alignment issue. When it came back from that repair, that's when it started having the electrical issues that were never repaired. I'm sure this is all just an isolated incident, but i can't imagine how large their repair department might be. For a precious lens, i'd send it to a one-man shop. But, do let KEH know they screwed you with the description. Maybe they'll do something for you.

 

[umcelinho]

if the lens is really really hard to find, keep it, tell them about the hood and condition and ask if they could adjust the price.

if the lens is not so hard to find, return it and look for one in better shape, repairing stuff not always assure a perfect outcome and it is a hassle

 

[Mister E]

KEH can range from horrible to genocidal. I wouldn't let them touch anything ever and wouldn't buy from them if they were the last camera shop on earth.

I was once a benefactor of a hazy 50 Cron they, CLAed. What a joke it had more swirls than a chocolate twist cone at McDonalds.

 

[35mmdelux]

What lens? May not be a rare as you describe?

 

[dubes]

I thought I'd post the aftermath: the lens is on its way back to KEH for a refund. Hopefully, they'll put things right before they put it back up for sale!

Thanks to all for your input / insight.

Mike

 

[dogberryjr]

KEH can range from horrible to genocidal. I wouldn't let them touch anything ever and wouldn't buy from them if they were the last camera shop on earth.

I was once a benefactor of a hazy 50 Cron they, CLAed. What a joke it had more swirls than a chocolate twist cone at McDonalds.

Hey, don't hold back, you're among friends. 😀

 

[dogberryjr]

I thought I'd post the aftermath: the lens is on its way back to KEH for a refund. Hopefully, they'll put things right before they put it back up for sale!

Thanks to all for your input / insight.

Mike

They are very good about refunds, so that's cool. I seriously doubt they'll fix it, though. More likely, they will knock it down a few pegs on condition. I'm curious, too- which lens is/was it?

 

[samuelphoto]

NO NO NO! KEH would likely contract this out to God knows who. Send it to DAG or Sherry K. The price should be around $100-ish and the work is top flight.

 

[Mister E]

KEH never fixes retuned gear.