Lloydc

Recently began shooting film again, using a Leica IIIf. Am interested in getting a screw mount 90mm or 135mm Leica lens. Have looked on eBay and there are scads of both. I have minimal experience with buying on eBay. Not sure what to make of the lens descriptions. What’s important to look for in a used lens? Are reconditioned lenses available? Some advice I’ve read is that, if the lens had not been refurbished, you should have it serviced. And, where? How much should that cost? So many questions. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

I have bought several lenses on e-bay. I give the rating of the seller as much regard as I do the rating of the lens.
Another place to look would be KEH.com

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Consider buying used from a Leica dealer.

I have and they are honest and reasonable.

http://www.tamarkin.com

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

For Leicas of your vintage, the only person I'd let come close to mine is Don Goldberg at https://www.dagcamera.com

He's a retired Leica tech and great to do business with. A friend of mine recently had his IIif serviced. It's like new now.

With used lenses, they should be free of fungus, scratches, and any overt signs of mishandling.
--Bob

jwreed50 Loc: Manassas, VA

Unless there's obvious signs of abuse on a lens, there's really only two things that need to be done to refurbish an older lens. The first issue is to re-calibrate the focus on the lens. If a technician has the appropriate equipment, that's not a difficult task.

The second issue with older Leica (and other) lenses is fungal growth, and that's a more difficult problem to address. Fungal growth in older lenses is very common no matter how well they have been cared for -- it just happens. Some cases of fungal growth are worse than others; if it's not too bad and doesn't have a significant effect on image quality, it may be best to just accept it and not worry too much about it. Typically, fungal growth is treated by baking the lens elements to kill the fungus, but that can also sometimes damage the lens elements.

Here's a current list of technicians (other than Leica itself) who work on Leicas:

https://johnnymartyr.wordpress.com/2019/08/27/the-2019-leica-repair-tech-list/

John Van Stelten in Colorado was one of the best at Leica lens repairs, but he retired a couple of years ago. Sherry Krauter in NY is also very, very good. I'm not familiar with the others on this list.

I can't say what it would cost, but as you know, nothing in the Leica world -- including service work -- is inexpensive.

Lloydc

Hi Bob,

Thanks. Any idea what your friend paid for that work?

Lloydc

Thanks for your help.

Lloydc

Thank you.

jwreed50 Loc: Manassas, VA

Good advice here. Tamarkin is good, and one of the several Leica stores around the country may have what you're looking for as well.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Lloyd, I know exactly what he paid. However, I'm reluctant to reveal that because each job is individual and requires a quote on how much it would cost. What I can say is that it was reasonable and in line with what I paid for the same type of refurb work I had done on my IIIF a few years ago.

I'd recommend the same repair person, however, he was the one who recommended Don. The reason being is that of parts. They are becoming scarce and Don has most of them now.
--Bob

Lloydc

All good to know. Thanks.

Lloydc

Thank you.

Lloydc

Thank you.

Quixdraw Loc: x

You might check Roberts Used Photo Pro, they usually have a screw mount or two in their inventory, good folks to do business with. Another is Popflashphoto, they have Leica as a sort of specialty.

Lloydc

Thank you.