Leica AF-C1 review

[Huss]

Just picked up a Leica AF-C1 from the classified on RFF. It handles really well, locks focus instantaneously, focus lock is also AE lock, you can manually turn on or off the flash if the autoflash does not agree with you.

It's the twin of the Minolta AF Tele Super, but I'm not sure if the lens is the same. The Leica is a 40/80, while the Minolta is a 38/80. Which is kinda weird as the long lens is due to a 2X teleconverter. 2 times 38 does not make 80...


Leica AF-C1, Fuji C200



The camera is very responsive, the moment you flip the lens cover switch the camera is on, and remains on until you turn it off. So no camera going to sleep mode just when you need it. Very little shutter lag. As long as the pic is in focus, it will shoot quickly.

The Minolta version is much cheaper, so with the Leica you are paying (perhaps) for a different lens, the red dot, the styling and the fact that it is much much rarer.
It's almost worth getting the Minolta version as well, just in case you need spare internal parts down the line!

 

[p.giannakis]

I had the Minolta equivalent. Very nice lens at the wide end, Tele was miah... I have a review somewhere on my camera blog.
I will have a look through the negatives tonight.

 

[raydm6]

Nice shot Huss. I bought mine new in the late 80's I believe and still have it w/leather case/pouch. Love the form factor and ease of use as you mentioned.


Lens is 1:2.8/40 and 1:5.6/80.


Old Can #1 by rdc154, on Flickr

 

[nzeeman]

its the same lens... in many cases different brands decide to claim a bit different focal lengths... there were also same lenses used by few brands-some say its 30mm, some 28... i noticed it is usually done when a big brand name is in play-so they dont want to make it obvious that they share lens with cheaper one...

 

[Huss]

I had the Minolta equivalent. Very nice lens at the wide end, Tele was miah... I have a review somewhere on my camera blog.
I will have a look through the negatives tonight.

Hi Pan I always enjoy your site! Dood u have tested a lot
of gear!
I agree w ur findings, out of the 37 exposures taken on the 36 exp roll (!), every single one was in focus and properly exposed. Even the one shot into the ocean into the sun. With cameras like this as well as well as most p&s zooms I only use the long end in ‘emergency’ situations.

 

[p.giannakis]

A few more scans from that test roll

and 100% zoom

and one more

100%

 

[Huss]

What are you scanning with and what resolution? . I'll post a 1:1 later.
Nice exposure on those pics.

 

[p.giannakis]

Film is Kodak Tmax 400 in Rodinal and my scanner is a Canoscan 8600F at 4800dpi

 

[Huss]

Leica AF-C1, Fuji C200, Z7 scan, negativelabpro.com



And 1:1 crop:




The top image is 7700 x 5100 pixels

 

[Huss]

This was the first pic on the roll. I thought 'oh no, light leak!' before realizing the red stripe was from the red AF assist light...(selfie in mirror)