Leica M cost of ownership ?

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gliderbee

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I'm thinking about buying a present for myself sooner or later, and that would be a Leica M6 TTL (S/H).

If used "normally", meaning normal care, no dropping or bumping, just taking pictures, say 100 rolls per year (might be less: I have "more then one camera" to put this gently 😀), how often would it need a CLA, and what does a CLA cost, providing there is nothing broken ?

Since I'm in Europe, it might be useful to have prices from both the US and Europe.

Thanks,

Stefan.
 
Expect to pay between 150 and 500 euros for the CLA, depending on what is being done and who does it. Leica themselves are the most expensive choice for doing the CLA.

On the other hand, with a pace of ~ 100 rolls per year it's probably once per decade or more seldom that you'll have to do a CLA for a Leica M.
 
I have to say I've never bought a camera wondering what the "cost of ownership" would be. What a strange concept. But I can tell you from experience that 100 rolls of film a year is a walk in the park for most any decent camera, having shot 100 rolls a week as a PJ back in both film's and newspaper's heyday. While the M6 might need some adjustment over the decades, the cost isn't going to be significant.
 
The only time I've ever heard of cost of ownership is in relation to buying aircraft. Where the cost of owning can often be more than the cost of the plane.

As far as Leica's are concerned you should be able to go a decade without one. Their whole appeal is their durability.
 
If photography is only a hobby for you and you are limited in funds cost of ownership is definitely a consideration. And in my opinion with a Leica M6 the cost of ownership is more than comparable SLR's.

On the other hand, they give very much pleasure to their owners. I have had M6's and spent money on them so know from experience.
 
Stefan,

I highly recommend Will van Manen (www.kamera-service.info/) in your neighboring country The Netherlands. Depending on what the camera needs in respect of CLA I would calculate with 100-200 EUR max. Will is fair in his prices and turnaround was always fast (at least that is my experience).

Peter
 
Check the camera before buying to establish whether it needs a CLA or not (my M3 did an was priced accordingly). If not then use the camera for decades and only CLA if something goes wrong.

Cost of ownership of a Leica is largely the cost of the capital tied up in the purchase - secondhand Leicas depreciate very slowly it seems and rarely if ever need servicing.
 
A few years ago, I had my M6 serviced by expert Peter Grissafi, in Luton, UK. When I collected the camera in person, he said: " There you are my friend, look after it and you wont have to bring it back for another 20 years". Needless to say the camera works and performs faultessly. And all this for a very reasonable £125...
 
Bought my beloved M6 in 07, take good care of her (ie shooting in rain, shooting in heat, dropped it on the pavement a couple of times, had the occasional knock on doors while transfered on my shoulder) and so far works flaulessly (touches wood). My only problem was when I tried to open a beer bottle with it. I failed 🙁
 
I second Wil van Maanen. He has done numerous jobs for me for a reasonable price.
I'd say a CLA every 10 years.
Leica's keep their value. Yu might be able to sell it with a profit. Therefore cost of ownership might be very low.

Cheers,

Michiel Fokekma
 
Although I'm not sure how much value a film M Leica, unless it's a collectors piece, will actually have in 10 years. Counting on that these days is pretty speculative. Leicas are not rare, just valued by those who own them.
 
gliderbee said:
, how often would it need a CLA, and what does a CLA cost, providing there is nothing broken ?
Click to expand...
I wouldn't worry too much about an M6 needing a CLA. Most cameras needing a CLA are 30 to 50 years old. The lubricants used today are also superior ( the older lubricants tended to dry out over time depending a lot on how the camera was stored).
 
Ironically, it is not too much use which causes the need for a CLA on a Leica M, but too little use. The shutter needs to be regularly fired to keep the lubricants distributed and supple. Slow speeds in particular can be affected by too little use. Not sure what the current rate is for CLA in US, but seems to be that Sherry charged around $300 last time sent her a camera.
 
Well I for one appreciate thinking about cost of ownership but that's just my right-brained mind. Unlike digital cameras which have a limited life, Leicas have little cost of ownership.

My M3 is going to have a 50th birthday in a few years, and it was purchase new by a family member. It's never had a CLA. It was used often for 20 years and sat with little/no use for about 25 years. I started using it regularly a couple years ago. It's never had a CLA, but there isn't anything wrong with it. The slow speeds are spot on, the viewfinder is bright, and the rangefinder is aligned. I think I'm at a point that I might send it for a CLA as a matter of routine maintenance, but I do hesitate sending a working camera to be fixed.

So by my calculation, you may need a CLA in 2046.
 
remphoto said:
Ironically, it is not too much use which causes the need for a CLA on a Leica M, but too little use. The shutter needs to be regularly fired to keep the lubricants distributed and supple. Slow speeds in particular can be affected by too little use.
Click to expand...
Very true. This also applies to the 1/60 and 1/125 speeds on an M7.
 
Peter S said:
Stefan,

I highly recommend Will van Manen (www.kamera-service.info/) in your neighboring country The Netherlands. Depending on what the camera needs in respect of CLA I would calculate with 100-200 EUR max. Will is fair in his prices and turnaround was always fast (at least that is my experience).

Peter
Click to expand...

Thanks ! I have his site bookmarked.

Stefan.
 
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