Well, got my replacement 75mm (the other had a small bright mark under the front element) from B&H, this time there's a fine scratch on the back element and a few small abrasion marks in front of the rear element. What gives? I will not order another 75 by mail, just inspect it in person and buy if OK. Hope you liked my adventures with 75's. Anyone else with similar flaws? Or is B&H clearinghouse for blemishes?

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), February 08, 2002

Answers

Sorry to say James, this is modern Leica QC for you. You must provide the final check unlike the old days when one man's reputation (and job) depended on a tick on a report card.

Despite this subject coming up again and again I simply find it hard to believe that the top man at Leica does nothing about it. What happens to all the returned lenses with scratched elmements or misaligned components - do they simply keep selling them to less fastidious buyers?

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), February 08, 2002.

Funny that this is your experience with B&H. Aren't they suppose to be one of the more reputable mail order companies out there? I bought a 35 Lux from a HK outfit and it arrived immaculate... no defects. So maybe you should try sourcing from HK where you can save quite abit on the cost of a grey market 75.

I sympathize with your plight though. A year and a half ago when I purchased my 75 the dealer (then ALT Camera) gave me choice between 2 of them. One that was still factory packed with tons of dust between every element OR one with no dust which was the lens sitting in the showcase.

Guess which one I chose?

;-)

-- John (ouroboros_2001@yahoo.com), February 08, 2002.

I just bought a used 75 'Lux. It is showing a bit of wear on the focus ring, and has a slight bit of internal dust, but it was pretty cheap. Focus and aperture are silky smooth. And the glass is pristine. (I've only had it a week, so it is too early to have formed a complete opinion, but the frist images out of it are very sharp, however not as crisp as my 90APO.)

Given the number of complaints shared recently on new equipment, I think the QC comment holds a lot of water. Too bad... one big thing that set Leica apart from the competition other than optics, was their quality.

:-(,

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), February 08, 2002.

B&H is good to deal with. I've bought quite a bit of stuff I've been happy with. So B&H is not a clearinghouse, but not being there in person to check out stuff is a hindrance, not their fault of course. I will just have to fly there sometime and buy in person. HK sounds fun to visit as well on a shopping spree! Sounds like a fun way to get equipment. Anyway, thanks for the input.

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), February 08, 2002.

Well HK is an ETZ so you're more than likely to find the deal of a lifetime there. No workers' rights though.

But OH!

What a price!!!

;-)

-- John (ouroboros_2001@yahoo.com), February 08, 2002.

I guarantee, as a long-time customer of B&H myself, they will take the lens back and make it right with you.

-- Tom Nutter (tmnphotos@erols.com), February 08, 2002.

Oh definitely, have done it with the previous 75mm. Sometimes it's hit or miss with lenses.

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), February 08, 2002.

B&H is an amazing place, you line up to see a salesman, then you line up to pay, then you line up to receive your merchandise which comes down a ski-lift-type conveyor in little baskets. They simply aren't set up to have someone open each box and inspect the contents with scrutiny. With new equipment they assume (as well they should) that it's 100%, and my experience with Japanese equipment has largely been just that.

Since Leica USA-model prices are the same at B&H (and they don't sell gray) as any small dealer, I think I'd prefer to buy mail-order from someplace where someone there would open it up and look it over for me. I'm reasonably confident someone like Rich Pinto (The Photo Village, NYC)or the staff at Tamarkin will do that, they're young and have good eyes;>)

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), February 08, 2002.

Good advice, I also got an email from someone on this forum about Classic Camera. Thanks for the advice, NY here I come! ; )

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), February 08, 2002.

Since Leica USA-model prices are the same at B&H (and they don't sell gray) as any small dealer, I think I'd prefer to buy mail- order from someplace where someone there would open it up and look it over for me.

i agree whole-heartedly. i would recommend Bergen County Camera if you are in NJ...excellent service

-- Dexter Legaspi (dalegaspi@hotmail.com), February 08, 2002.

If you are in New Jersey, or state other than New York, I would recommend Tamarkin. I asked them to look at the lenses before shipping them to me, after the quirky stories I had read here. Their prices are the same as any other Leica-USA purveyor, and since they ship it to me out of state, I don't pay the horrendous New York state tax. Leica Day discounts are also applied.

For Leica you can't beat the top notch specialist store. For all other purchases I use B&H.

Doc Knapp recommends Ken Hansen, so there, you have two choices in New York.

Best of luck,

-- Vikram (VSingh493@aol.com), February 08, 2002.

He what happened to Le Camera so suddenly? Phat Lee was a good guy, but then suddenly, he ripped off a friend of mine (AND SURELY OTHERS) and went bankrupt, basically overnight.

-- Tom Nutter (tmnphotos@erols.com), February 09, 2002.