I bought a used Summicron. Should I keep it or return it?

Well, I hope your experiences fair better than mine.

Having heard the fine reputation of Don Goldberg I had my newly purchased and absolute pristine 40mm-C and 90mm-C lenses sent for a CLA with descriptions ad nauseum as to how important they were to me and what I expected in them as my only 2 lenses as I intend to sell my ASPH 35cron.

Anyway, I received them Tuesday with oil still on the blades as before!

Additionally, he (apparently) forgot his original price quote and said it would be $30 more. I of course reminded him of his original quote and forwarded the email and he honored it....


I live overseas and I was very disappointed. I don't know if these handful of people rest on their laurels as they are only people that work on Leica gear and have such reps. etc...but I am quite upset.

I kept in good contact with the guy and described again *ad-nauseum* just how I needed these lenses to be the best they could be and explained specifically the oil on the blades...etc. etc..

I had to pay taxes to receive them and it would be too costly to return it all therefore to have it done again, and wait, etc...

We are not building rocketships here. I will have it done locally.. it bothers me as I don't think anything was done at all.....and 3 weeks later still out and I need them for work. Additionally being in the hole with shipping and taxes on top of that. I could not have been more on top of the situation and clear.

Not happy....

Hope it goes better for you.

D
 
Thanks, Randy. In Yosemite. I'm using it because it shows mixture of contrast, sharpness and flare behavior of my v3. On Superia 400, BTW.

Roland.
 
ferider said:
Thanks, Randy. In Yosemite. I'm using it because it shows mixture of contrast, sharpness and flare behavior of my v3. On Superia 400, BTW.

Roland.
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Well it's just an amazingly beautiful shot. Thanks for sharing it. But sheesh, it almost makes me want to give up photography when I think about my shots by comparison! 😱

-Randy

P.S. I just noticed your new sig line. "Last equipment purchase [date]" That's a hoot! Guess you kinda had to considering your New Year's Resolution, huh?
 
vrgard said:
Well it's just an amazingly beautiful shot. Thanks for sharing it. But sheesh, it almost makes me want to give up photography when I think about my shots by comparison! 😱
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thanks again, Randy, but I think you are undervaluing your own photos.

P.S. I just noticed your new sig line. "Last equipment purchase [date]" That's a hoot! Guess you kinda had to considering your New Year's Resolution, huh?
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My name is Roland and I am addicted to gear. Every day is a new day 🙂
 
galavanter said:
I guess I'm keepin' it. I just got off the phone with Ms. Krauter and she was great. "It's old! How old are you? It's gunked up!" Well what could I say?
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Sherry is a hoot and gives great service. I bought a DR Summicron off of a LUGger last year and test shots showed some surprising vignetting in the corners when the lens was wide-open. In my case, the lens had been sold to me at a great price and when I figured in the price of a CLA, it was merely a good price. I debated about sending it back to the seller (who protested that the lens worked fine and I should "just shoot") for a refund, but ultimately decided that net-net I had paid for the lens what it was worth. Sherry cleaned the lens right up and it now performs flawlessly.


Ooops. I have just read the rest of the thread It sounds like you have decided to keep the lens and have talked to the dealer. I'd jump on that offer by the lens dealer as that really is the right move. The thing that worried me about your original description was that the stiffness in the aperture ring was not consistent throughout the range of the aperture. I agree with the poster who wrote that this sounds like possible impact damage, although the proof will really be in the photos. The bottom line is that $700 should buy a perfect Summicron of this vintage

I have also had very good experiences with Don.

Good luck and I hope that it produces great results for you!

Ben Marks
 
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Benjamin Marks said:
The thing that worried me about your original description was that the stiffness in the aperture ring was not consistent throughout the range of the aperture. I agree with the poster who wrote that this sounds like possible impact damage...
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That's interesting because I figured that as you stop the lens down the tolerances would get smaller and the possible "gunk" would become more of an issue. Opening up again would therefore get easier. But I have never disassembled any lens so I am just surmising.
Don has it now so I'm not too concerned...
Thanks for your comments.

Jim
 
Ken Ford said:
D, are you sure that's oil on the blades and not burnishing? Don is meticulous in his work.
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Ken:

I made it a point to find and follow up on this note I left.

Yes, I am afraid it is. Upon sending him detailed images he concurred without question. Especiall the 40, the rear of the blades is simply convered. I don;t know how it could have been missed.

I was not upset as much as disappointed due to the time away from the lenses. Of course I realized he would stand by his work. I realize these people are in demand and I respect tremendously his reputation, integrity, and past/present work for me. We cannot be 100% all of the time, and I understand that.

He apologized sincerely and refunded the full amount, including shipping. (Of course I intend to refund *him* the shipping as I would have needed to have them sent to me anyway.)

Unfortuantely I need them for work and cannot send them back due to this and my location simply wouldn't make it financially viable.

Things happen..work on the cameras are all fantastic of course.
 
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