Best Option for G7 lens wider angle than 14mm but not fishy?

cba_melbourne wrote:

HRPOWER wrote:

Wow - amazing post.

I suppose when you buy used there are no warranty issues to contend with right?

Good question. It depends. For example, Panasonic specifically states that the warranty is only for the original owner.

Should you buy a used lens that is still under warranty, whose warranty happens to be transferable, and is not a grey import, and whose seller gives you the original purchase receipt, and you happen to live in the same country it was originally bought from..... you can sleep well as you will probably, most likely, be covered.

I bought all my m43 lenses (except two) either used, or de-kitted from Japan. Obviously I do not care about warranties, if the price and condition are right. Have not had any regrets so far.

I've probably spent about the same on used and grey market kit as new. In the UK reputable used dealers (like Ffordes, LCE, Wex etc) typically offer a 3-6 month warranty on kit. Most faults with used kit should appear in that timescale and you hope you are in the bottom of the bathtub curve by that point. A few weeks of early use is recommended both to learn how to use the kit and check it doesn't have subtle faults.

Warranty repairs rather depend on the manufacturer - their history in dealing with faults is what you need to study. In the UK, new photographic kit is covered by a 5 year window of consumer protection but after the first 6 months the consumer has to prove it was a fault in the equipment as supplied.

Historically Olympus in the EU has been outstanding in terms of warranties, out of warranty repair costs and spares holding for obsolete kit. Not sure I'm convinced by Panasonic.

My worst problem has been with a new Voigtlaender Super Heliar 15/4.5 E-mount lens. Wex kindly replaced the first 2, despite CV claiming they were in spec. Robert White (CV UK distributors) replaced the third after checking it was from the infamous first manufactured batch. The lenses have a hard infinity stop and wouldn't focus beyond around 10m on either of my Sony bodies, as well as having terrible corners at any aperture - obvious axial misalignment. 4th copy is acceptable.

Full marks for Wex and Robert White and none at all for CV.  The only other problem I've had is with a new Metabones adapter.  Metabones were very very slow but replaced it without argument.  I had the impression their senior engineer wanted to personally test the replacement on the exact body and lens before sending it out.

Andrew