Please define "User condition"...

[steve garza]

for a 75 'lux. I am not concerned about the cosmetic appearance which does show wear and tear, but more about the dust inside the lens which appears considerable to me. I will be trying the lens through this weekend to make my final decision on keeping it. What should I look for in terms of a non-keeper? The blades are free of oil, focus is smooth, aperture clicks nicely. Any ideas on rudimentary test procedures?

Thanks

Steve

 

[waileong]

It means anything from a minor scratch or dent to major paint loss, scrapes and gnashes on the body. The lens, however, should be in perfect condition-- no fungus, no scratches, no loss of coating, no haze, etc.

 

[Peter Klein]

Define "user condition?" Well, let's see. . .

The Leica collector's definition: The lens was removed from its plastic wrap and handled with cotton gloves. However, there was a hole in one of the fingertips, and a small amount of skin oil touched the surface of the barrel, thereby despoiling its chromium virginity. The lens is now worth only half the annual gross national product of San Marino. A pity, since, if mint, it could have been traded for the entire Vatican Treasure, plus the hidden Swiss assets of a number of defrocked Fortune 500 executives.

The eBay definition: The lens was used everyday by a reporter who covered Bosnia, Afghanistan, Iraq, the Paris riots and Boston's Big Dig. It has been dragged several kilometers by a tank in an unpadded canvas army bag, taken several shrapnel hits, and dropped over a cliff at Tora Bora. The focusing helix is well-damped with sand and fine silt. There are several pits in the front element, which do not affect picture taking quality. Only 10% of the original paint is left on the barrel, lending it an attractive patina. The diaphragm is smooth and snappy, with a fine sheen of oil and a trace of blood on the blades.

But seriously. . . if the glass is clean, and the focusing is smooth, a little dust won't hurt anything. A lot of dust means you'll probably need a CLA, and you should bear that in mind when you set a price.

The other responders have already given you some good quick tests.

--Peter

 

[steve garza]

I like that description......

I like that description......

I'll take the E-bay lens in a heart beat!!!

 

[wlewisiii]

I have to agree with Peter. Focus (if you'll pardon the expression) on the glass. I have never, personally seen dust that impacted the image. But scratches can be a different ball game. As Rolland suggests, a serious backlight test for flare is called for. After that it comes down to price.

I am, personally, a bottom feeder. If it's _fully_ functional but fugly and cheap, that's what I want to buy. My FTbN is that kind, especially with some unknown previous owner's SSN engraved in it :bang: OTOH, I got it for $26 when KEH is getting between $260 and $60 for the same camera...

So, in the end, user is whatever you are willing to live with at a given price point... 😉

William

 

[rover]

User...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-LEICA-M...2QQihZ007QQcategoryZ30030QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

and someone buy it before I do. For this price you can have it CLA'd and still have a sound deal.

 

[rover]

No, thank you. I really wanted to buy that camera, but I know it has a good home now. Let me know how it turns out.

 

[vrgard]

Congrats, Roland. Sounds like you got a real winner.

-Randy

 

[dll927]

It seems to me the proper word should be "useable", not "user". Who knows what condition the user is in. However, "useable" could be pretty far down the scale of attraction. It could mean anything from nearly pristine to pretty scuffed up. That's one problem with evil-Bay - you don't get to see it until you commit yourself.

 

[rover]

Rover,

I feel very lucky today 🙂: this morning I unpacked the M2 that came yesterday,
and except for the bump that you can see in the pictures it is great.
Even has a quick load system already installed (I like it and also have
it on the M3). RF spot-on with "snap", wind lever feels solid, curtains
clean, 1s and 1/15s sound like they should, etc. Just the "everyday
camera" I wanted. I had forgotten how simple a Leica VF can look ...
My next trip will take me to Moscow. Before I was scared to take a
Leica there, this time I will take the M2 🙂

Cheers,

Roland.

Grumble grumble 😡 .....



I am glad for you, really. :angel:

 

[StuartR]

Dust should not really have an effect, unless there is LOTS of it. I.e. more dust than clear glass. But I agree, it drives me crazy. I would test the lens out, particuarly with a tough flare test (because the 75 lux doesn't flare much at all anyway), and then if you don't see any problems, be thankful. Otherwise you can always have DAG open the thing up and clean it out.

 

[steve garza]

As I look at this lens I've also found another issue. A spot of coating is missing from the front element. This probably will not affect what I, or most humans can see on images produces with this lens, but I am paying top dollar for a "user". It usable----but with less than perfect optics, the price should be adjusted accordingly. I've decided to send the lens back. The selller has graciously agreed to honor his return policy. I will keep searching for something more appropriate. I really do want to shoot with this lens. I think it's a terrific focal length to work with. I keep kididng myself that a 75 and 35 is all I'll ever need....well maybe all I'll need, but all I'll ever want? Hardly. GAS is a mother....alreadly drooling over the 24mm asph.....maybe a Zeiss 25mm....