UK Buying from Japan

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Hoxton Red

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Hello and Happy New Year everyoneđź“·
Am UK based looking to buy a 28mm/25mm Voigtlander or Nikon lens for my Nikon SP, possibly another body
They're practically impossible to find in UK these days so considering buying from Japanese sellers on eBay
There are so many! Can anyone recommend any particular for quality/price, delivery time, etc?
 
Can't help about Japan but MWClassic seems to have a 21mm for Nikon S, but then again maybe you know - I think there was a thread about them. And to be honest, their website is one of those where you slowly go mad trying to find anything again, so maybe I'm wrong anyway.
 
Yeah, stay well away from MW Classic these days!

Peter Loy sometimes has S mount Voigtlanders come in; that'd be my first port of call if I was willing to be patient. Grays of Westminster would be my other suggestion but I suspect Voigtlanders are too "common" for them. They only seem to like the really pricey stuff!

The main problem with buying anything from Japan on eBay is that all the listings are MINT++++++++++ LOOK!, but usually the lenses turn out to be raddled with fungus and haze. Considering the S mount Voigtlanders are all of the era where they're prone to irremovable haze, I wouldn't risk buying one that way. It's better to wait and find one from a dealer you can trust.

If you can't wait for Peter Loy to find one, I'd grab one from @CameraQuest - he has some of the 25mm lenses with the viewfinder here: Voigtlander SC 25mm 25/4 Nikon Rangefinder Mount Lens with 25mm Viewfinder: shop.CameraQuest.com

I can't remember if he ships to the UK, though. You'll have to pay import duties and tax when it arrives, but that'll definitely be the safest way to buy one without waiting.
 
Coldkennels said:
Yeah, stay well away from MW Classic these days!

Peter Loy sometimes has S mount Voigtlanders come in; that'd be my first port of call if I was willing to be patient. Grays of Westminster would be my other suggestion but I suspect Voigtlanders are too "common" for them. They only seem to like the really pricey stuff!

The main problem with buying anything from Japan on eBay is that all the listings are MINT++++++++++ LOOK!, but usually the lenses turn out to be raddled with fungus and haze. Considering the S mount Voigtlanders are all of the era where they're prone to irremovable haze, I wouldn't risk buying one that way. It's better to wait and find one from a dealer you can trust.

If you can't wait for Peter Loy to find one, I'd grab one from @CameraQuest - he has some of the 25mm lenses with the viewfinder here: Voigtlander SC 25mm 25/4 Nikon Rangefinder Mount Lens with 25mm Viewfinder: shop.CameraQuest.com

I can't remember if he ships to the UK, though. You'll have to pay import duties and tax when it arrives, but that'll definitely be the safest way to buy one without waiting.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately he doesn't send to the UK anymore
 
Coldkennels said:
Yeah, stay well away from MW Classic these days!

Peter Loy sometimes has S mount Voigtlanders come in; that'd be my first port of call if I was willing to be patient. Grays of Westminster would be my other suggestion but I suspect Voigtlanders are too "common" for them. They only seem to like the really pricey stuff!

The main problem with buying anything from Japan on eBay is that all the listings are MINT++++++++++ LOOK!, but usually the lenses turn out to be raddled with fungus and haze. Considering the S mount Voigtlanders are all of the era where they're prone to irremovable haze, I wouldn't risk buying one that way. It's better to wait and find one from a dealer you can trust.

If you can't wait for Peter Loy to find one, I'd grab one from @CameraQuest - he has some of the 25mm lenses with the viewfinder here: Voigtlander SC 25mm 25/4 Nikon Rangefinder Mount Lens with 25mm Viewfinder: shop.CameraQuest.com

I can't remember if he ships to the UK, though. You'll have to pay import duties and tax when it arrives, but that'll definitely be the safest way to buy one without waiting.
Click to expand...
CK. The Cameraquest suggestion is likely the most reliable.
At the same time i've gotten clean lenses from Japan every time..... voigtlander. leica, nikon, Plaubel Makina 67 & 670... can't be just the luck of the draw.....
 
38Deardorff said:
The OP is in the UK....so he'll have import duty & VAT to pay plus overseas shipping....
Click to expand...
Location is unimportant and even with import taxes, etc, cost about the same sometimes even cheaper than in UK
I mentioned Japan as they have the best selection, can't see any in Europe or North America
Maybe someone can recommend a supplier I can buy from direct?
 
Hoxton Red said:
Unfortunately they don't send to UK anymore
Click to expand...
That's a pity. There are many in Japan. I don't doubt you could find a clean one.
There is also this on in Australia
www.ebay.com

Voigtlander SC Skopar 25mm f/4 Lens, For Nikon Contax S Mount Rangefinder S2 S3 | eBay

Voigtlander SC Skopar 25mm f/4 MF Lens. Voigtlander SC Skopar 25mm f/4 MF LensBox. Voigtlander 25mm Viewfinder. Original Voigtlander Front Lens Cap. Original Voigtlander Lens Hood. Original Voigtlander Rear Lens Cap.
www.ebay.com
 
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38Deardorff said:
That's a pity. There are many in Japan. I don't doubt you could find a clean one.
There is also this on in Australia
www.ebay.com

Voigtlander SC Skopar 25mm f/4 Lens, For Nikon Contax S Mount Rangefinder S2 S3 | eBay

Voigtlander SC Skopar 25mm f/4 MF Lens. Voigtlander SC Skopar 25mm f/4 MF LensBox. Voigtlander 25mm Viewfinder. Original Voigtlander Front Lens Cap. Original Voigtlander Lens Hood. Original Voigtlander Rear Lens Cap.
www.ebay.com
Click to expand...
Thanks, expensive once additional taxes added
Am still tempted by Japan as they have by far the cheapest, too many to choose from various sellers, no idea which seller(s) are the most reliable regarding condition of the lens as previous poster mentioned
 
Hoxton Red said:
Thanks, expensive once additional taxes added
Am still tempted by Japan as they have by far the cheapest, too many to choose from various sellers, no idea which seller(s) are the most reliable regarding condition of the lens as previous poster mentioned
Click to expand...
I've successfully bought from many Japanese sellers. In your case i'd read the fine print....many include the following haze- no separation-no fungus -no. some small dusts. If there by chance happens to be an issue ebay does side with buyers...& sellers don't want negative feedback. Here's a good example
www.ebay.com

[Almost Unused w/ Finder] Voigtlander SC Skopar 25mm f4 Lens Nikon S JAPAN #2428 | eBay

Almost Unused. Lens filter. There are no scratches. No problem for photography. There is no fog. Guard Ring.
www.ebay.com
Screenshot 2026-01-05 at 2.43.05 PM.png
 
Coldkennels said:
Considering the S mount Voigtlanders are all of the era where they're prone to irremovable haze, I wouldn't risk buying one that way. It's better to wait and find one from a dealer you can trust.
Click to expand...

Echoing this. Be careful when buying S mount Voigtlanders from overseas especially since it would be difficult to return the item/s. Ask the seller and be very specific about the rear group haze.

I bought one last year described as Mint but was afflicted by the dreaded haze. It wasn’t expensive so I decided to have it repaired/overhauled (not cheap!). Not exactly irremovable, but difficult to find repair persons who would take on the job. Shared my experience here
 
38Deardorff said:
I think the major issue is that they are the distributor for USA..... so they can't step on the distributors from other countries....
Click to expand...
...and I'd totally get that if there was anywhere in this country that still sold the S-mount Voigtlanders. Classic Camera in London (near the British Museum, highly worth swinging by if you're doing a touristy visit to the city) carries a lot of Voigtlander stock. I've never seen them carry a NOS or second-hand S-mount one.
 
38Deardorff said:
That's a pity. There are many in Japan. I don't doubt you could find a clean one.
There is also this on in Australia
Click to expand...
38Deardorff said:
I think the major issue is that they are the distributor for USA..... so they can't step on the distributors from other countries....
Click to expand...
Surely that doesn't apply to second hand equipment?
These lenses were discontinued years ago
 
Another option if buying from Japan is using an international forwarding service like Buyee and looking at reputable shops like Map, Fujiya, Naniwa/Lemon (despite the name!), etc. Ebay is going to be hit or miss.
 
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