Used M lens sources?

R

robinje

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I'm in the market for a used Leica wide angle lens. Besides FleaBay, which dealers typically have the largest selection and most reliable grading? I've checked KEH, Tamarkin, and a couple of others but I want to make sure I'm not missing the 'mother lode'!
 
anu L ogy said:
You can always check BH and Adorama, their inventory turns pretty quick too. Also, http://www.igorcamera.com/leica_lenses.htm is always an option.

Im sure as more people see this thread you will see more sources.
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I've had great luck with B&H, Adorama and KEH. All have good return policies. Good inventory changes quickly though. Recently returned a Mamiya 50/4.0 for a Mamiya 6 to Adorama because I was lucky to find the same lense in "like new" condition at KEH. I was outside of the seven day return policy, but I appeared in person after they were closed for a holiday. No questions or problems.

A few times I found their rating system to be very conservative and I felt like I got an exceptional deal(s).

Good luck and check the websites frequently. In a blink of an eye the good stuff/deals disapears quickly.

Cal
 
Calzone said:
I've had great luck with B&H, Adorama and KEH. All have good return policies. ...

Recently returned a Mamiya 50/4.0 for a Mamiya 6 to Adorama ...I was outside of the seven day return policy, but I appeared in person after they were closed for a holiday. No questions or problems.

A few times I found their rating system to be very conservative and I felt like I got an exceptional deal(s).
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Thanks so much for the f/back; very much appreciated!
 
There is a lens on KEH I am interested in. Are they any good? Im in Australia so havent had anything to do with them before? They say the lens is LN-
 
Captain said:
There is a lens on KEH I am interested in. Are they any good? Im in Australia so havent had anything to do with them before? They say the lens is LN-
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KEH is pretty good for equipment rated EX+ and better. For EX and lower, it's a bit of a crapshoot, and I only buy that stuff from them if I'm willing to eat the 2-way shipping costs. Since you're in Oz, that would likely be expensive. But for an item graded LN- you should expect to get a literally nearly-new piece from them.

Ari
 
HelenOster said:
Thanks so much for the f/back; very much appreciated!
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When I bought my Rollieflex 3.5F "Whiteface" from Adorama, Arri, my salesperson, dropped the price without asking so he could extend the warrantee for free to a year.

Over the years, the salesmen have become my friends.

Cal
 
kermaier said:
KEH is pretty good for equipment rated EX+ and better. For EX and lower, it's a bit of a crapshoot, and I only buy that stuff from them if I'm willing to eat the 2-way shipping costs. Since you're in Oz, that would likely be expensive. But for an item graded LN- you should expect to get a literally nearly-new piece from them.

Ari
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I was lucky to find a Mamiya 6MF graded in excelent condition and a hard to find 50/4.0 wide angle for a Mamiya 6 in LN- condition. The focus was stiff, just like a brand new lens. The Mamiya 6MF body was consevatively rated at excelent and should have been graded E+.

The turnover rate is very high. The good stuff disappears quickly. The other 6 body and 50/4.0 of lesser grades were gone the next day. Like I said I was lucky.

Cal
 
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