Has anyone purchased lenses from Sergey?

[David Kruta]

Just hoping to see if anyone had experience purchasing through Sergey and receiving lenses from Russia. Thanks

[Gunleik Groven]

Worked fine for me and the ones I know.

Others have had issues, it seems - but I wouldn't hesitate...

[Daniel Soderberg]

From what I've read, he's a reliable guy but he gets very busy and away from the internet for up to a month at a time.
Good luck.

[axel ebermann]

he is reliable. but not necessary fast....

[Darryl Wood]

I have also had no problems with Sergey. He is slow but you will get your goods.

[Andy White]

I've dealt with Sergey twice - both have been good experiences and I will deal with him again... everything arrived as promised & these have been high value items.

Agree wih everyone, he often goes on quests and will be away from the net for long periods - but I think as other users have stated, this is pretty much the way of things over there.

Just used up my lens budget for now - so those Lomo Roundfronts are safe from my evil hands - for now (or until I win the Lottery!).

I think there is some new US import issues on lenses, so that might make things slower (and be something you should investigate).

[jake blackstone]

BTW, he's from Ukraine, not Russia...

[Kip Kubin]

He is a reliable dealer.

You will get your lenses and the somewhat daunting band transfer process is legit.

Factor in a 3 week delivery time and you should be OK

Depending on the lens I would also factor an overhaul from a US repair shop.


HAVE THE LENS PL MOUNTED BEFORE IT IS SENT TO USA...sending it back will cost you a lot in shipping and time.

[David Kruta]

Thanks so much for all the responses - I feel so much better about sending my hard earned dollars overseas.


BTW, he's from Ukraine, not Russia...

Thanks Jake, I did not mean to imply where he was from, just that he told me he's located in St. Petersburg.

[David Kruta]

He is a reliable dealer.

You will get your lenses and the somewhat daunting band transfer process is legit.

Factor in a 3 week delivery time and you should be OK

Depending on the lens I would also factor an overhaul from a US repair shop.


HAVE THE LENS PL MOUNTED BEFORE IT IS SENT TO USA...sending it back will cost you a lot in shipping and time.

Thanks Kip, I was definitely planning on having it PL mounted first. Can you elaborate on the "band transfer" and which lenses you would have overhauled and where?

[Andy White]

I think he means Bank Transfer - it's the way Sergey does business. Still done a lot in my neck of the woods (UK) for B2B stuff - Paypal is evil - LOL.

[Justin Alpern]

I had a set of Lomo Square fronts remounted to PL by him. Everything went smoothly but took almost 2 months. I am very happy with the work.

[Adam Eden]

I had a very bad experience where I bought a whole set of lenses and I went to pay him. (I lodged the transfer at the bank) and about 2 hours later he wanted more money, so I cancelled the deal.

I wouldn't deal with him as I almost lost $15K

[axel ebermann]

I had a very bad experience where I bought a whole set of lenses and I went to pay him. (I lodged the transfer at the bank) and about 2 hours later he wanted more money, so I cancelled the deal.

I wouldn't deal with him as I almost lost $15K

just out of curiosity: so you transferred 15k over to him and he never returned it to you ? or how did you loose the 15k ?

[Daniel Soderberg]

just out of curiosity: so you transferred 15k over to him and he never returned it to you ? or how did you loose the 15k ?

He 'almost' lost it. Was probably worried Sergey might just keep the money.

I'm assuming he sent the money back after Adam changed his mind which is a good sign...

[Kip Kubin]

Thanks Kip, I was definitely planning on having it PL mounted first. Can you elaborate on the "band transfer" and which lenses you would have overhauled and where?

Sorry...typo

BANK TRANSFER

[Alexander Alexandrov]

got a lomo from him with PL conversion. Good job on product, conversion and shipment. As described. Sergey was great. Shipping can take some time, but that's the way Rus/Ukrainian postal / customs are.

[Adam Eden]

just out of curiosity: so you transferred 15k over to him and he never returned it to you ? or how did you loose the 15k ?

To be perfectly clear i wired the money via westpac and he contacted me trying to get out of the deal as he wanted more money that he was offered elsewhere.
Upon a to and frow for 2 hours. I rang my lawyer, contacted the bank and paid $100 to stop the transfer.

I was very lucky that it takes 3 days for the money to transfer and I had to go to my bank and explain the "special circumstance" that he was reneging on the deal.
You all might have good experiences with this guy but I have more than a few people with bad experiences.

Hey life if all about good and the bad and he may have been good for you, but in my opinion he is a greedy f*&K!

[Bérenger Brillante]

Serguey is an honest guy and if you had asked him, he would have refund you.
I've bought lots of goods (Opton, Lomo, Ekran) from him, with only one problem (did not send a usable lens), which he solved 10 days later by sending me a nice one.

You can trust him, and when is not home, he generally contact the ones he's got a sale pending with.


BUT

Last year, on ebay, there was a guy called Serguey too, but not "our" Serguey. That one sold damaged lens. It was visible on the pictures, but I guess some were fooled.
Again, not the same Serguey.

[axel ebermann]

To be perfectly clear i wired the money via westpac and he contacted me trying to get out of the deal as he wanted more money that he was offered elsewhere.
Upon a to and frow for 2 hours. I rang my lawyer, contacted the bank and paid $100 to stop the transfer.

I was very lucky that it takes 3 days for the money to transfer and I had to go to my bank and explain the "special circumstance" that he was reneging on the deal.
You all might have good experiences with this guy but I have more than a few people with bad experiences.

Hey life if all about good and the bad and he may have been good for you, but in my opinion he is a greedy f*&K!



sorry - I do not know the circumstances of the deal but to assume that Sergey would steal your money
and stating that you 'almost' lost 15k is insulting and simply incorrect.

[David Kruta]

Sorry...typo

BANK TRANSFER

Sorry Kip, didn't realize - I thought it might be some term. Where would you recommend having the lenses serviced, and what lenses would you look out for? Also, how do you like the square front Lomos?

Edit: Just saw your PM... talk there?

[Bérenger Brillante]

The square ana are quite specials. They are basically kinor lenses with a anamorphic front element, not a complete anamorphic design like roundfronts.

The square front element usually moves during travel, and then distort your image badly. So they'll need servicing, if you try to move it alone, you might break it.
It's not Serguey fault, it's the design, the way they are screwed is quite old.