mgermana
Established
Hi all,
Quick back story: I purchased a 50mm v.3 Summicron M lens from another RFF member that has a small amount of fungus etching around the periphery of the front element. I knew it was there, and the price reflected the condition: $900. Because it had a really stiff focus, I sent it to Sherry Krauter for an overhaul. The fellow who sold me the lens, being a sport, refunded me half the cost of the CLA. Nice. I sent it to her four weeks ago.
So, Sherry calls me this afternoon and says she can replace the front element with her last spare front element for this lens. The very last. How much, I ask. $225. This is where the conversation gets odd:
I can't decide if it's worth it to sink an additional $225 into the lens, so I tell her I've already got $900 invested in it just to see what she says. Her response shocks me: "That's exorbitant," she says. "It wasn't one of their best performers, you know."
Suffice it to say, I declined the offer, choosing only to pay for the overhaul. But I'm starting to think I should have spent the extra money to have the element replaced despite her opinion that the lens isn't worth what I paid for it.
What do you think of all this, and what would you have done?
Quick back story: I purchased a 50mm v.3 Summicron M lens from another RFF member that has a small amount of fungus etching around the periphery of the front element. I knew it was there, and the price reflected the condition: $900. Because it had a really stiff focus, I sent it to Sherry Krauter for an overhaul. The fellow who sold me the lens, being a sport, refunded me half the cost of the CLA. Nice. I sent it to her four weeks ago.
So, Sherry calls me this afternoon and says she can replace the front element with her last spare front element for this lens. The very last. How much, I ask. $225. This is where the conversation gets odd:
I can't decide if it's worth it to sink an additional $225 into the lens, so I tell her I've already got $900 invested in it just to see what she says. Her response shocks me: "That's exorbitant," she says. "It wasn't one of their best performers, you know."
Suffice it to say, I declined the offer, choosing only to pay for the overhaul. But I'm starting to think I should have spent the extra money to have the element replaced despite her opinion that the lens isn't worth what I paid for it.
What do you think of all this, and what would you have done?
lonemantis
Well-known
900 is already pretty steep for a V3 Summicron, you can often find them in excellent condition for around that price. That said, now that you have the lens, I definitely don't think it's worth investing any more money in. Have you tried shooting any images with it? Some fungus damage around edges shouldn't affect the quality, so why not see if you like it?
Rayt
Nonplayer Character
If the lens was otherwise in mint condition then I would have made it perfect with the element replacement. If it was a user then I agree with your decision.
mgermana
Established
I should have noted that I took three rolls of film with the lens, which takes lovely pics. I don't see any image degradation at all. "And you wouldn't," said Sherry, making me wonder why she was offering a new front element in the first place.
sepiareverb
genius and moron
Because more people than you would believe know that such trouble will always degrade an image. They've read it on the internet.
mgermana
Established
I guess I'm more thrown by the "exorbitant" comment than by the fungus. If I paid $900 for it years ago then yes, that'd have been a bit pricey. But given the rise in prices of Leica lenses as of late, $900 doesn't seem out of line.
raid
Dad Photographer
I would have taken Sherry's offer in order to get a perfect lens. A Summicron is after all a Summicron.
mgermana
Established
The little devil on my left shoulder keeps telling me the same thing. The little angel on my right shoulder then pulls out a little blackboard upon which is written:
$900 (lens)
+$160 (overhaul)
+$225 (element)
_______________
=$1285 (the going price for a v.4 in EX+ shape)
taskoni
Well-known
Of course you had to replace it. You could have a perfect lens now for a very little more. Why you bought that lens after all? If you want cheap and mint Leica system is not for you.
I have noticed lately people buying Leica camera and lenses in whatever condition just to shoot Leica system and later somehow they are not very satisfied. Actually this note relates to every camera system IMO - if you want the maximum of it, your gear shot be always clean and neat.
My 2c.
Regards,
Boris
I have noticed lately people buying Leica camera and lenses in whatever condition just to shoot Leica system and later somehow they are not very satisfied. Actually this note relates to every camera system IMO - if you want the maximum of it, your gear shot be always clean and neat.
My 2c.
Regards,
Boris
raid
Dad Photographer
This is not what happens in the real world. Overhaul and repair costs are separate.
Kwesi
Well-known
If you are not going to sell the lens then you are fine. You are already happy with its performance.
On the other hand if you think you will do so in 2 to 5 years time you will easily recoup the cost of replacing the front element given how Leica prices are trending. There is a good chance that the next potential owner will shoot primarily digital and will be very leery of the word "fungus". You may have a hard time getting back your original $900. My suggestion would be if Sherry still has the lens, call back and have her replace the front element. If nothing else its great insurance.
On the other hand if you think you will do so in 2 to 5 years time you will easily recoup the cost of replacing the front element given how Leica prices are trending. There is a good chance that the next potential owner will shoot primarily digital and will be very leery of the word "fungus". You may have a hard time getting back your original $900. My suggestion would be if Sherry still has the lens, call back and have her replace the front element. If nothing else its great insurance.
sanmich
Veteran
It all depends on your psychology.
I would have taken a loss and change the element.
You can also send it to focal point to be repolished (I doubt it would have been much cheaper)
or, if you are a better man than I am, just shoot the lens and forget about its defaults
I would have taken a loss and change the element.
You can also send it to focal point to be repolished (I doubt it would have been much cheaper)
or, if you are a better man than I am, just shoot the lens and forget about its defaults
Gumby
Veteran
Interesting problem... I suppose many of us have also been in the situation of htinking we're getting a good deal but really getting screwed. It happens. I would have done the same thing you did if the fungus wasn't too pronounced. Then I'd take pictures and never again think of what I paid for the lens.
Gumby
Veteran
So how does it happen? Sounds right to me from a restoration perspective. All of theose monies are out of pocket expenses deemed necessary to get a well-functioning lens, no?
Lflex
Lflex
The v3 is a fine lens but "in-between" the modern v. 4 look and the classic rigid look, therefore neither, nor to some people. I have one and I like it although I wouldn't pay 900 usd for one.
Ms. Krauter may be like me, I would NEVER pay serious money for a fungus infected lens, even if it is only etchings on a cleaned lens. You may think differently since you bought the lens in the first place, but if my v3 was infected I would grab this offer in a heartbeat.
Ms. Krauter may be like me, I would NEVER pay serious money for a fungus infected lens, even if it is only etchings on a cleaned lens. You may think differently since you bought the lens in the first place, but if my v3 was infected I would grab this offer in a heartbeat.
Lflex
Lflex
You'd always assume that an overhaul is required on top of the purchase price.
zuiko85
Veteran
I was in a similar situation with an M4-2 body. Bought from a private party at a camera show in near mint condition a couple of years ago for $850 (so no recourse). Within a few weeks the four bottom speeds dropped out, 1sec. through 1/4sec. , first curtain opens, second curtain stuck, won't clear until I turn the shutter dial to 'B' or 1/15sec. Still living with it since I can't hand hold those slow speeds anyway.
Been too lazy to box it up and send out for repair.
The serial # shows it in the middle of the total production run of M4-2s.
Been too lazy to box it up and send out for repair.
The serial # shows it in the middle of the total production run of M4-2s.
Gumby
Veteran
Yes. Thank you. That is exactly my point.
mgermana
Established
The die has been cast. I left a message asking her to replace the element if she hasn't shipped the lens yet. If she has sent it already, I'll take my lumps, I suppose.
Small rant: every little part of my entry into Leica photography has been like this. This is the second Summicron 50 I purchased, the first being damaged internally. The hood I have for it is the second I purchased, the first having been in such poor shape that I was refunded the cost by KEH. Even the darn Gordy's strap I got is the second, the first one having arrived in the wrong color. As for the M4 I bought, it works like a charm, but the very first time I took it outdoors to take some photographs I returned home only to find the center medallion of the film reminder dial had popped out somewhere on the trail. Oh, yeah, and the bulk film cartridges I purchased are defective, too. I had to super-glue the felts in myself. SIGH!
Small rant: every little part of my entry into Leica photography has been like this. This is the second Summicron 50 I purchased, the first being damaged internally. The hood I have for it is the second I purchased, the first having been in such poor shape that I was refunded the cost by KEH. Even the darn Gordy's strap I got is the second, the first one having arrived in the wrong color. As for the M4 I bought, it works like a charm, but the very first time I took it outdoors to take some photographs I returned home only to find the center medallion of the film reminder dial had popped out somewhere on the trail. Oh, yeah, and the bulk film cartridges I purchased are defective, too. I had to super-glue the felts in myself. SIGH!
Jan Pedersen
Well-known
Those Leica cameras really are a challenge.
It's interesting though, not many if any other cameras have such a following but if we look at how many of the older lenses that have some kind of defects, coating issues, internal haze, oil evaporation and who knows what.
How many other camera manufacturers would still be in business with such a failure rate?
That said, when they work they are a pleasure to use.
It's interesting though, not many if any other cameras have such a following but if we look at how many of the older lenses that have some kind of defects, coating issues, internal haze, oil evaporation and who knows what.
How many other camera manufacturers would still be in business with such a failure rate?
That said, when they work they are a pleasure to use.