Leica CL- price inquiry

[Biggles]

I've been offered a late-production Leica CL complete with the 40mm f2 and 90mm f4 Leitz lenses, their appropriate lenshoods, and a few other tiny accessories like strap and lens pouch, for $900 US plus freight. Camera described as VG to Exc, both cosmetically and functionally; lenses as Exc+. Camera body marked LEITZ and LEICA.

Private sale, within my own country. No import duties.

I would be buying this to use, not to stare at. Assuming the condition is as represented, is the price reasonable?

 

[phototone]

I think it is on the high side of fair. For that price, it should work fine, if not, you should be able to get a refund with no hassle.

 

[FrankS]

I think it's a pretty good price with both lenses included, and if you are located in Europe (Where exactly is the land of Gossen?) See if you can get a trial period with a return priviledge. If you plan to use it and not resell it, then the condition is not so important, as long as it works well. I myself am waiting for a CL that has a few scars, but I know they won't affect the picture. Pristine cameras can be bad for your photography if you're thinking more about keeping the camera in good shape than you are about taking pictures.

 

[RML]

$900 seems quite OK to me. The CL would do about 4-500 euro, the 40 about 250 euro and perhaps another 150-200 for the 90, at least here in Holland.

You won't regret using the CL. It's a wonderful, small RF that makes a wonderful little travel package.

 

[Biggles]

Thanks, folks. I've since received confirmation that the meter and shutter both work properly, and the shutter is hole-free. Money-back guarantee if not as described, too.

I want and have uses for both those lenses, to boot. I'm buying it.

Of course, now I'm going to need a decent fast 50... Any good ones made in Leica M-mount?


(crickets)

 

[FrankS]

Good on you! Yes there are a few good M-mount 50mm lenses around. You can also use LTM lenses with an M-mount adapter. Pretty versatile! When do you receive the camera and lenses?

 

[back alley]

very good mr. big!

i think it's a good deal and it sure is a nice compact camera for haulin' 'round.

joe

 

[Biggles]

When do you receive the camera and lenses?

Couple of weeks, I guess. Payment goes out Monday, the old-fashioned way- by mail.


I've wanted one of these ever since I read a Shutterbug magazine article about it back in the 90s. (I think it was written by Frances Schultz.) Handled one at a photo flea-market soon afterwards, and said to myself, someday...

 

[solane]

i found a minolta CL with rokkor 40/2.0 used through a camera shop selling for $750US online. (i'm not telling you vultures where so don't even ask! 😛 ) the condition is listed as E+. i'm in the same state of "should i, shouldn't i?". the camera shop is fairly reputable so i am sure if i have problems, i can return it.

i didn't know if the price was too high and whether the minolta CL was worth the risk. i've read a few other comments out on the internet that say that the shutter curtain can get pinholes and that it is not as rugged as its been reported. any opinions?

my other option right now would be to invest in a bessa-r as i have only fixed-lens RFs at the moment i am not tied to screw mount vs. m-mount.

 

[RML]

Try the 40 before you shell out for a 50! The 40 is wonderful!

 

[Doug]

i found a minolta CL with rokkor 40/2.0 used through a camera shop selling for $750US online ... the condition is listed as E+. i'm in the same state of "should i, shouldn't i?" the camera shop is fairly reputable so i am sure if i have problems, i can return it.

That sounds like a nice choice, assuming the condition is indeed excellent, though I don't know if the price is reasonable. This is a small unobtrusive camera of fine quality, and will scarcely be noted by your subjects. Certainly it won't yell "PROFESSIONAL!!!!" and alarm anyone! A drawback is that it takes the now-banned mercury battery, so an alternative must be arranged, though only if you plan to use its meter.

i've read a few other comments out on the internet that say that the shutter curtain can get pinholes and that it is not as rugged as its been reported. any opinions?

I think it's pretty solid (my CLE certainly is), and any rangefinder camera with a cloth shutter is vulnerable to pinholes, caused by even briefly focusing the sun's rays on the shutter. Like starting a fire with a magnifying glass! It's never happened to one of my cameras in four decades, but I did borrow a Nikon S2 years ago that had a handful of holes burned through its shutter.

my other option right now would be to invest in a bessa-r as i have only fixed-lens RFs at the moment i am not tied to screw mount vs. m-mount.

The M-mount gives you greater flexibility in lens choice. The Bessa is a decent camera, but I think the CL is better-made than the R. But of course it's older, so condition is a factor. Whatever your choice, I hope you'll enjoy it and get great pics!

 

[Captain]

I have seem a number of Leica M's and Nikon rangefinders over the years that had holes burnt into their shutters but never a CL. It may be that the meter cell which sits in front of the curtains when the shutter is cocked reduces the risk emensly!

 

[Biggles]

Aww, nuts.

Aww, nuts.

Received camera and lenses today. I'd forgotten how small these things were.

Unfortunately, three PX625s and this instruction manual tell me that the meter is inoperative. Dead for a ducat, dead. I've contacted the seller for redress. We'll see if he's as good as his word.

In the meantime, here's a link to the main page where I found that CL manual. A few other Leica manuals there, as well. http://www.horizon.bc.ca/~dnr/instruction_index.htm

 

[George S.]

Don't forget that the shutter needs to be cocked and the wind lever pulled out about 5 degrees from its rest position in order for the meter to work.

 

[Biggles]

Thank you, sir. I'd figured there might be some sneaky Minoltish trick to it, so I went and googled-up that on-line manual. Read the procedure, must've tried it fifty times.

Nada. Sweet bugger-all.

 

[Biggles]

...aaaand the camera body is on its way back to the seller. He deals in quite a bit of Leica on the intarweb and seems to value his reputation. He says that if it's fixable, he'll have his technician fix it toot sweet. Left a new battery in it, with instructions that the meter be calibrated for 1.5 volts.

Meanwhile, I've got these two M-mount lenses sitting here, and an old Voigtlander, and a big roll of duct tape...

 

[Biggles]

....aaaand the camera body is on its way back to me again. Took a while, what with summer vacations and all, but the meter's been repaired and calibrated. Loose connection, or loose wire, or something. Looks like I'll finally get to try that 40mm Summicron, and see what all the fuss is about.

 

[Doug]

That's great! There's some satisfaction in being instrumental in the resurrection of a disfunctional camera! Hope you enjoy the CL...

 

[Biggles]

It's cursed.

Received it today. Meter seems to work fine now. However:

Problem #1: The winding lever's plastic shoe broke into a couple of ragged pieces.

Problem #2: The meter cell's thin sheet-metal shroud came adrift inside the camera- I noticed something was wrong when the 90mm lens focusing ring suddenly became difficult to turn.

All that in the first ten minutes after opening the box. Didn't even have time to load a roll of film. Barely got to check that the 90mm frameline worked.

Telephoned the seller, who was flabbergasted. I just sent him the pictures. We'll see what he says.

Nearly two months now, and I still don't have an intact camera. Starting to think refund.

Oh... should a CL rattle AT ALL when it's shaken? Bare body, no strap, no lens, no body cover on, no film in it. I'd be obliged to any other CL owner who'd be kind enough to shake theirs and tell me.

 

[phototone]

I wouldn't be a bit surprised if this damage wasn't due to rough, jarring handling in the shipping of the item. I was agast at what I saw once when I went to pick up a package at the local UPS distribution center. Throwing packages off trucks, throwing them onto trucks, etc. What used to be sufficient packing, is now insufficient in parcel shipments. While the seller should make amends to you, it may be that he has a claim for insurance, no matter what carrier he used.