What to look for when buying Used Leica Cameras and Lenses.
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You can get a great deal when buying used Leica products, but there are a few things you have to keep an eye on. In this blog we discuss the most important things to check.
Buying Used Leica cameras and lenses
Whether you’re looking to add a vintage lens to your collection, want to start shooting film with an analog Leica camera or maybe you’re looking for an affordable set to start your journey in the world of Leica: buying pre-owned Leica is a great way to get good value for your money.
There are however several things you have to pay good attention to when buying an occasion Leica camera or lens. We want to go over the most important things with you in this blog.
Let’s start with the obvious. Check the exterior of the camera or lens you’re thinking of buying for exterior damage. Scratches on the body of a camera aren’t necessarily a bad thing, but could indicate that the body has been dropped or bumped into something, which could lead to more serious problems on the interior. If you’re looking into a pre-owned digital camera, see if it is possible to take a severely under- and overexposed photo. This will make potential dead pixels visible.
When buying a film camera, check if all shutterspeeds work. Try a long shutterspeed, one at 1/250 and one at the fastest speed. Try to listen carefully if you can hear the differences in the shutter. If they all sound different and accurate, the shutter is probably working just fine.
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When purchasing pre-owned Leica lenses, obviously check if the glass is scratch free.
Remove the rear lens cap and shine with a light through the lens and thoroughly inspect the lens for dust, fungus and damages on the inside. Small blemishes on the inside of a lens can have a great impact on a photo.
Another important thing to inspect on a lens is the aperture. Check if the aperture ring moves smoothly, and if the aperture opens and closes accordingly.
If the Leica camera or lens offered has recently had a CLA (stands for Clean, Lubricate, and Adjust), this means it has been serviced recently. If this has been done by a reputable servicepoint, you know what you’re buying is in good condition.
Leica occasions at the Leica Store Amsterdam
Of course it’s not always possible to check the used Leica camera or lens you’re thinking of buying in person, especially nowadays.
The good thing is that we’ve done that work for you. We carry a broad range of pre-owned Leica cameras and lenses that are all thoroughly checked and are in excellent condition. Because of this, we are able to offer a 6 Months Store Warranty on all our pre-owned items. This gives you the Value of Old, with the Confidence of New.
Discover our Used products here
It pays to regularly visit our Used selection, since stock changes quickly and we add new products on a frequent basis.