How do I buy a Rangefinder?

M

Merkinz

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Hi, yes, me again...

I've decided that when I have gotten the money together (hopefully no more than 6-8 weeks from now) I am going to purchase a Zeiss Ikon ZM with 50/1.5 Sonnar but I haven't quite decided on how I'm gonna buy it. Hopefully I can get some good advice here.

OK I have several questions and they break off in to two categories. And they are: Buying New and Buying Used. What does everyone recommend. I've had mixed experiences buying second hand and would hate to get stung again. I'm thinking maybe buy the body second hand and buy the glass new? ...opinions?

BUYING NEW
Firstly it has to be said that I live in New Zealand... on the other side of the world where there is no Zeiss distributer so buying online is a MUST! I've currently been browsing two stores:
B&H Photo, and ShaShinKi.com Their prices are practically identical with slight variances in exchange rate. Are there any other stores I should consider? Reputable stores?
The other place I've checked out is Matsuiyastore on ebay (I saw it mentioned here so checked it out). He has New and Used in stock. I cannot find any information about manufacter warranty on his *NEW* products? Does this mean they don't have any?

BUYING USED
Is this a good idea? Bad idea? If you were to buy half of this kit used would it be the lens or the body?
I've found used bodies at the Matsuiyastore on ebay what would same me quite a few dollars... enough to buy a CV lens or two! :rolleyes:

Personally I'm erring towards buying the body used and lenses new because describing lens condition is SOOOOOOOO subjective compared to the body condition. :confused:

On top of all this I have to pay import duty/tax which sucks! so savings are good!

Any and all advice is appriciated! Thanks.

oh... I've never bought off ebay before either!
 
You can also buy directly from Carl Zeiss, but of course you pay full retail. No discount.

There also is a Zeiss dealer in Hong Kong, but I don't remember his name. Someone else here most assuredly will know it. He's gotten nice comments on price and service.
 
Matsuiyastore is pretty awesome. Noriaki is very helpful with answers, so do ask him about the warranty situation. Also, he thankfully underprices on the customs declaration if asked. Not sure how strict NZ customs is but lets hope its nothing like the Quarantine division!

I would also buy a used body (might not suit your warranty requirement) and new lens. But if a used one comes up in Exc condition in matsuiyastore, I won't be too fussed. Of course photos are critical.
 
I'm thinking maybe buy the body second hand and buy the glass new? ...opinions?
Click to expand...

The other way round! You're better off buying the lenses used and the body new! As long as they haven't been abused, there's not much that can go wrong with the lenses. The body is a different matter. I bought my ZI body used and the RF was slightly off. It came with 6 months warranty though, so I was covered, and its in at Cosina now getting fixed.
 
Just to clarify a little more! I suggest buying the Zeiss ZM glass used because even the oldest ZM lenses a just a few years old, which is not long in the scheme of things. Unless a lens has been abused or stored badly there's not much that can go wrong in such a short time span.
 
Ok checked out PopFlash... Cool site!
They have used Zeiss Bodies for a similar price to Matsuiyastore on ebay! And the great thing is they come with a: "90 DAY ZEISS USA WARRANTY"
Does that still apply if I'm not in NZ???? How would it work if it broke down within the 90 day period?

Hmmm... you have a good point about the body jonmanjiro but people seem to be holding on to their lenses! and the savings on a body far out weigh the savings on a lens... and wouldn't the "90 DAY ZEISS USA WARRANTY" at popflash cover me for anything like what you mention?

Thanks again for the comments.


EDIT: Good point about the age of the lenses. Something I had not considered!
 
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Big, huge thumbs up for Popflash.....Tony stands behind what he sells. Excellent service and communication. Call or email, you will get a timely reply.
 
alright! I think I'll get in contact with Tony as soon as I have some green in my hand! :) I look forward to getting a ZI!
 
Well. Just a wee update. I contacted Popflash, just to ask a few questions. And I must say that they were EXCELLENT with their reply! I feel totally confident buying from them now :D

Damn I can't wait to get my ZI!!!!!!:rolleyes:
 
It comes down from what you expect from warranty and what you want to pay for it. Please note that a warranty has a relatively high price, but most of them expire soon! And problems as we all know occur many times after expiration. Alternative is to keep the money in your pocket (for repairs or service) and buy from a trustworthy second hand seller, like there are many on RFF. I bought my very best gear here at RFF and was never disappointed.
My choice would be to buy the lens new, albeit I have no money for that: if the glass really gets hurt, it can't be fixed anymore, whereas cameras keep rising from the ashes
 
Ron (Netherlands) said:
It comes down from what you expect from warranty and what you want to pay for it. Please note that a warranty has a relatively high price, but most of them expire soon! And problems as we all know occur many times after expiration. Alternative is to keep the money in your pocket (for repairs or service) and buy from a trustworthy second hand seller...
My choice would be to buy the lens new, albeit I have no money for that: if the glass really gets hurt, it can't be fixed anymore, whereas cameras keep rising from the ashes
Click to expand...

This was my thoughts exactly! If I can save $400USD on a like new model and it works fine in the first week or so then the money could always be used down the line to fix any issues that may arise. ... or I could just buy an extra CV lens with it :D

Thanks everyone for your input. It's been really helpful.
 
Gidday, where in NZ do you live? My pro friends order their ink regularly from B&H which is still cheaper with the shipping cost and occasional GST in mind. I used to order various new and used pieces from B&H since they have reasonable UPS rates and I can expect my parcel to arrive within 5 days. But I have not done that for a while not because of the exchange rates...

Why? Our tax still sucks, as the customs will charge you GST for any merchandise worth more than NZ$400. Since UPS and some other carriers declare all their parcels so be prepared for the extra 12.5%. In think the threshold is AU$1000 just across the Tasman. Surface mail does not always get declared, but they are pretty unpredictable. I have ceased to order anything from Keh because their surface FedEx can take up to 6 weeks to get the stuff here and you cannot even track their progress.
 
Check KEH

Check KEH

Check out KEH in Atlanta, Ga. They are the largest seller of used cameras in the world. Their rating system is very conservative and they are great about customer service.

I just purchased a used 35 1.2 Nocton from them and noticed several used ZM lenses. Check under "LeicaM Non-Manufacturer Lenses"

I have used them for several years and have never been disappointed with their ratings on equipment or with their customer service.
 
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