How About A Mint, CLA'd Leica CL

[Steve M.]

I saw this camera and thought, wow, that's a lot of money for a CL. But after reading the ad, I want it! Unfortunately (or fortunately) I beat cameras up, so this wouldn't be a wise buy, but for anyone that's ever wondered what it was like to own a new Leica CL, this is probably as close as it gets.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Leica-CL-MINT-just-CLAd-Sherry-Golden-Touch-/270623535087?pt=Film_Cameras

 

[gliderbee]

If you only want a camera to put on a shelf in a glass display closet where everybody will be able to admire it top, bottom and all sides, it's still too expensive, because in that case, it doesn't need to function, so you don't need the cla but you do pay for it.

If you want a camera to use, there are much better deals to be found; in fact, I have two (a Leica CL and a Minolta Leitz CL), both working perfectly and looking very good (not mind, but very good). I will sell one of both in the short future, but I don't know which one yet (I like the name "Leica", but otoh, the "Minolta"-one has a viewfinder that's a little bit more clear (not much, but a little bit)).

Short answer: WAY too expensive. It looks to me the seller want's his cla-money back AND the money he bought the camera for. You're better of buying a working one S/H, use it and if and when it develops problems, give it a cla.

Now, as a future seller of one of these, I love this type of auctions, of course 😀

Stefan.

 

[Rune]

If I bought something like that I would put on cotton gloves before taking it to the streets... How does one feel if even the slightest spot of dirt degrades the look of such beauty? Not even a scratch on such an old timer - that camera must be haunted 😱

 

[Ljós]

Steve,

I agree with Stefan and Rune... sure it is a nice kit. But if you stop to think what you could get for that kind of money...
On the other hand, playing devil's (yours ;-)) advocate for a moment, one would have to consider how much one would have to pay for a perfectly serviced METERED M body. (I loved the CL's meter as long as I had it (mine is now with Stefan, greetings!), but I am fine without in camera meter, too.) Because my initial reaction to the price of almost 1400 dollars was that you could buy a NICE M2, even M4 and have plenty of money left for a very good lens. But a recently serviced metered Leica? I don't check prices on M6's etc., but I think they would be in the 1000 to 1200 dollar range, given a similar perfect condition? Maybe even a bit more? And suddenly the offer does not look that unreasonable.

And now switching back to the voice of reason ;-):
deduct the 620 USD for the CLA from the asking price. 800 dollars is not a great deal (compared to the going prices/deals in the RFF classifieds) for a CL with Summicron-C.

If a CL with 40mm f2 (keep in mind that the 40mm f2 CLE-Rokkor goes for less money than the Summicron-C) is what you really want, consider buying less pristine samples for less than 800 dollars. Use the gear for a while. Have it serviced if it is necessary and you feel you "gel" with the setup. Expect to pay less than 1400 USD in the process. Divide the saved money by four and send one fourth each to Rune, Stefan and me ;-) ;-) ;-)

I sincerely hope I added to your confusion! (Not!) 🙂
All the best, Ljós

 

[gliderbee]

(I loved the CL's meter as long as I had it (mine is now with Stefan, greetings!)

Yes indeed 🙂, and it did great service in Italy this year. I bought a second one for the M-Rokkor attached to it (that's a Leitz Minolta, equally nice) and I'll probably sell that body.

Stefan

 

[SteveA]

Is this excessive for what is on offer? Maybe not.

This past April, I attended a local camera swap meet (man these things are pretty depressing these days). I was tempted by a very nice, fully functional Leica Cl with 40 Summicron C that this guy (I had seen him at meets before - he has a lot of very nice Leica stuff at higher prices) was offering. He absolutely would not budge from his $900 asking price even after seeing me fondle a very nice 3-lug M5 at Igor's table. I have a soft spot for CLs as I bought one new as my first Leica. I wanted to see a little downward movement on his price but he would not do so. I wound up buying the M5 body from Igor for the same money and never looked back.

If this guy thought $900 was fair for a nice CL with s slightly sticky meter needle and none of the accessories this one comes with, maybe $1400 isn't too far off.

 

[gliderbee]

Is this excessive for what is on offer? Maybe not.

This past April, I attended a local camera swap meet (man these things are pretty depressing these days). I was tempted by a very nice, fully functional Leica Cl with 40 Summicron C that this guy (I had seen him at meets before - he has a lot of very nice Leica stuff at higher prices) was offering. He absolutely would not budge from his $900 asking price even after seeing me fondle a very nice 3-lug M5 at Igor's table. I have a soft spot for CLs as I bought one new as my first Leica. I wanted to see a little downward movement on his price but he would not do so. I wound up buying the M5 body from Igor for the same money and never looked back.

If this guy thought $900 was fair for a nice CL with s slightly sticky meter needle and none of the accessories this one comes with, maybe $1400 isn't too far off.

If the price is right, nothing stays "for sale" very long ... Same thing on eBay: if a "Buy it Now" stays for longer then a day, the item is probably too expensive.

 

[SteveA]

Good point Gliderbee, I cannot argue with your logic! If the BIN is on something really esoteric, maybe it was just missed for a day or two by the very limited buying audience. But for something like this, maybe the price is too high.

 

[imokruok]

I think eBay is where brick and mortar camera stores get their prices. I saw something similar at a camera shop in LA last week, it was pretty close to the same price, and not in as good condition.

 

[mani]

Well I don't wanna sound like some rich-kid with more money than sense (which I'm definitely not), but I was seriously considering this until I saw that the seller totally blocks buyers outside the US and Canada.
I even went to the 'Ask a question' page to see if I could persuade him/her to change their mind - only to be faced by a v forbidding list of Q/As that clearly stated their policy of 'no shipping internationally'.

You guys under-estimate how hard it is to find a REALLY good example of these cameras. I've searched everywhere in Europe and genuinely haven't found anything that suggests this example is over-priced.

My intention is to buy as near to a perfect CL as I can find, then use the hell out of it until it drops dead - or I do - whichever is the soonest.

I did this with my M6 (I bought a collector's edition M6TTL Millenium Black Paint), and I've been using it everywhere - including the beach and in the rain. My reasoning is that I like the feeling of never needing to lust after another M6 - I got the best I could afford at the time - and I wanna do the same with the CL.
Getting a hopefully perfect one the first time around can be cheaper than buying two or three that don't quite get it right.

 

[lxmike]

I find the whole 'shelf queen' or cosmetic beat up user an interesting one, I always try and get the best for what I can afford, which usually means that I end up with cameras that are normally mechanically sound but cosmetically challenged. About 15 years ago I bought a fully working but beat up CL with 40/2 glass I used it for a few years and then foolishly sold it on, my biggest ever regret, (camera wise). The other side of the coin I also like to look at and hold a mint classic but then if I owned such a beast i would be scared to use it.

 

[Nokton48]

I handled a pretty-nice CL for the first time, yesterday at Midwest Photo. The sticker said $495. I know it's louder without a lens, but I was surprised at how noisy the shutter was. I put it back in the showcase and went on. Like the viewfinder, though.

 

[Brian Levy]

Later s/n, looks pristine and gone through by Sherry. As the S/N is visable if I weree to consider it I'd call her to hear her thoughs as to the mechanical condition and then decide. For the going prices of used M cameras and ald decent digital rangefinders, it is not unreasonable. I know only a few years ago the average price for a non serviced unit was about $600-700 but it seems the going price has been increasing on these lately.

 

[Brian Legge]

I really want to handle a CL or CLE some day. Of the M cameras, I know this would be the best fit for me. At the same time, I don't know if I could ever justify putting that much down for a camera, particularly as I'd want a 40mm and 28mm to go along with it.

<sigh> Stupid irrational thriftiness. I envy those who can justify spending more on a camera. It took me about 4 months to talk myself into putting down 600$ for a used D70s and pair of lenses when I got back into photography. Oh well, cheaper cameras it is.

 

[woodleica]

So how much would you guys pay for a cla'd one without a lens?

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Mine was $800 with the 40/2 Summicron and 90/2.8 Tele-Elmarit. all EX+ and better.

 

[nonot]

I'm of the mindset that the more you use a camera, the more valuable it becomes. Not to say it wouldn't be nice to have a sweet little collection of brand new cameras, but knowing myself, they'd just end up getting used and become "worthless" over time. Give me "user" grade any day.

 

[Rob-F]

Well, the CL in question has been removed from eBay.

 

[kbg32]

CLs are quite loud and they dent pretty easily. Rugged - not. Small, compact - yes. I have owned two and it seems that every time I took it out of my camera bag, there was a new scratch or dent. My first Leica, bought for $800 new, was a CL. I happily traded it with some cash, for a DS M3 with a Dual Range Summicron a few months later.