Am I being had?

My first question is what could prevent the aperture blades from opening and closing? Second, is this something that is easily disengaged for the purpose of claiming an issue? Third, if this is a known problem, how much does it cost to fix?

I would agree to pay to fix it if the repair place copied me on the estimate. Then add some money for travel cost/inconvenience.

Even so, making the refund equals a happy customer, and avoids hassles with eBay, reselling, eating shipping costs and more. If the guy returns the lens you're out round-trip shipping.


Or you agree to the refund amount if the seller gave you a signed pdf stating this would be the end of your obligation. Suppose the repair place finds some other issue, or wants to charge more? 60 pounds locks in your downside.
 
I don't have an Elmar laying around here to test, but I'm fairly sure it's possible the screws can be removed from the aperture ring, and the ring will turn, but the diaphragm will not open or close.
 
Well you can see in two ways: Chance it and have lens returned for a refund. Hopefully it was a fluke thing that can be easily fixed (DIY). And relist it. Or just do the partial refund and let him worry about the problem. Cause the time to have the lens shipped back, professionally repair, relist and sell it.. you're just wasting more time and money.

I had cases on eBay that buyers claim to have noise inside of a Canon EF lens that I sold. I fought with the buyer, opened a claim and was ruled to have the lens shipped back for a full refund. Once I had the lens returned, it comes to find out that there was a mini screw floating inside of the lens. It was only a matter of a few minutes that I had the screw out. I knew the buyer added this, and one more (inside the box) because I've sent this out to Canon to inspect it and they said there wasn't any screws missing from the Lens... Go Figure...

I personally never had any issues with any item that was packaged really well. I too put insurance on items to save myself headaches. If any item was dis functioning in any manner, it was due to terrible shipment (which I had), and that was caused by the shipping courier. In this case, the box was damage heavily... so yeah. If this lens has 'no value' to you, I would just do a partial refund and let him enjoy the 'headache'.
 
It is possible you are being scammed. I don't know these lenses, but you could probbaly try this on any other lenses you have for this camera. I tried this on my minolta MD mount lens and it worked.
If you hold the lens in a "certain" way, it is possible to disable the lever which stops the apperture down when you take the photo with the side of your finger. It is then possible to rotate the aperture ring with no effect on the blades. They stay wide open. I suspect this is what is being done.
The only way to tell is if you request the buyer to film the same video but from the back,
showing the whole of the mounting ring to make sure that there is nothing blocking this lever.
If they refuse this test then I think you have 2 options; request a quote from a repairer and then deal direct with them or tell the buyer to return for a refund.
 
I think the sync is off too. Last twists do not match up to sound. Can you tell if that is the lens you sent by serial #?
 
hamish_gill said:
Just after a bit of perspective ...

I sold this - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252201839870?ssPageName=STRK:MESOX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1559.l2649

It was perfect when it left me. The guy who bought it has now sent me this video

http://s1336.photobucket.com/user/mkmc4leica/media/3E/M135/20151218001936_zpsjlw14nkv.mp4.html?o=0

And is asking for £60 to have it repaired.

Considering it was posted in its box, in its keeper, what are peoples thoughts on the possibility this chap is trying to do me over?

Is there a simple way to stop the aperture from closing that he might have affected on the lens?

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Dear Gill,

You sold a lens working as advertised and the buyer received it and it doesn't work, right? Rather than do the obvious thing and seek a complete refund the buyer is willing to accept the lens with a partial refund for repairs.

It is your business to handle but to me that smacks of a scam. If I purchased something that was advertised as working and it didn't I wouldn't be asking for a partial refund. Being willing to settle for anything less indicates to me that you are being scammed.

As someone else pointed out on many manual focus lenses it is easy to disable the stop down lever at the rear of the lens and turn the aperture ring with no visible change in the aperture.

Like I said it's your business to handle, but I would demand the lens back and refund the money.

Regards,

Tim Murphy
 
splitimageview said:
It plays fine for me, it's definitely the aperture ring.

Seems as though he's using photobucket a lot to point out details/flaws in several other lenses...

I have never seen aperture blades on a Leitz lens that seize in an open position before. I suppose it's possible, but it's quite odd.
Click to expand...
60 $ to fix it is too cheap. I agree that it is an unlikely fault anyway. I would say it appears to be very doubtful. Full refund on return is the best way imo.
 
splitimageview said:
Seems as though he's using photobucket a lot to point out details/flaws in several other lenses...
Click to expand...

I count five other lenses besides the OP's lens. Hmmm...

http://s1336.photobucket.com/user/mkmc4leica/library/3E?sort=4&page=1

splitimageview said:
I don't have an Elmar laying around here to test, but I'm fairly sure it's possible the screws can be removed from the aperture ring, and the ring will turn, but the diaphragm will not open or close.
Click to expand...

This is certainly possible on the Nikon rangefinder lenses I've worked on. A single screw connects the aperture ring to the actual aperture mechanism. If the screw is removed (or comes loose and falls out), then the lens will act as per the video.
 
looks very suspicious...

if anyone has a tele-elmar, try removing the screws on the aperture dial and see if that disengages the aperture blades.
 
Gosh!

Gosh!

Hi,

Quote "I count five other lenses besides the OP's lens. Hmmm..."

He/she was unlucky, wasn't he/she? I'm a little surprised that he/she still buys second-hand lenses, especially when you look at all the trouble he/she has had. It makes you wonder, doesn't it?

Regards, David
 
Tell him you don't do partial refunds, have him return the camera, give him a full refund. If the camera is broken -- fix it and resell. If it's not broken -- resell. This could be buyers remorse. I have been on both sides of this on eBay. I have purchased a couple cameras in "working condition" that were dreck. One a supposedly tested folder with more holes in the bellows than your average cheese grater -- got a partial refund on that one. I received a complaint about a lens I "know" was in perfect condition and meticulously packed for shipment the buyer said was broken. I once purchased an Electro CC (later sold) "as is" with a crummy picture for peanuts -- that was "out of the box" never touched pristine when it arrived. I don't know if this is "scamming" per se. I think people get "aution fever" then get buyer's remorse and try to "ease the pain". Or? The item legitimately develops a flaw due to the rigors of shipment. So it goes on the big auction sites.
 
I've been asked for partial refunds in the past and never gone for it, subsequently realised two were from the same buyer. Full refund or nowt, no quibble, no bargaining.

Keep control!

Michael
(Having said that I have given the buyer a full refund and let them keep the item when the values is very low...life is too short.)
 
This all comes down to how trusting you are of human nature. I had this happen to me once with a lens I sent to Japan. The grief of customs charges for reimporting the lens, shipping both ways, et cetera meant I took the partial refund option.

I'm still sore about it, but as I have no way of knowing whether the guy was completely truthful, I prefer to be sore about the lost money rather than being sore about the guy's behaviour.

Depends what you can live with. Make a decision, and then allow yourself to be OK with your decision. That's my (not very sage) advice.
 
I have had gear come right from a trusted repair shop, with vibration from shipping loosening something inside.
sh!t happens during transit, and the higher the mileage, the higher the odds.
The small movie looks legit, but you can ask another one showing the aperture ring actually turning while the aperture stays open.
If the buyer is honest, it won't be a problem for him, and you can then have a clear choice, between sending the repair cost (60 GBP sounds fair, no?) or if it's too much, ask him to send it back, pay for the shipping, and repair it locally.
 
Can these be unscrewed like 50's? If so is the aperture part of the lens yours? Easy to put your serial plate on a bad lens. I'd say 100% scam as he's got form. He probably knows exactly what he's doing to make lenses look broken. Get him to send it back and inspect before giving any refund. I never sell on eBay now because of these kind of people.
 
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