Leica Minilux/CM, no hope?

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paniolo

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Hello Photographers,
I am realy interested in the Leica Minilux/CM. I know that the viewfinder is not the best, but I think it will fit my needs.
Now the serious part.
The only thing you can read about it in the whole internet is 100% negative. Lots of error reports, discontinued repair service, etc.
I know the web is mainly a place for people with problems but is there realy nobody that can say anything positive about that little cute?

So what do you guys think? Is it now safe to buy a "still working" Minilux/CM or will it die soon like all the others?
 
Leica cm is a modern camera. No reason to die faster than any other premium compact camera. Whether Leica can repair it 5 or 10 years from now is a separate matter. If there's no demand, then there won't be supply.

Minilux is a separate matter. E02 is the main problem. But even that has a fix on sale at eBay. The lens is stunning though.
 
Sure its a modern one. But compared to my researches of Contax T2, there is a huge overflow of very negative comments about the Minilux/CM compared to the T2.
Leica has already stopped to deliver Repair service for it too.
 
For me the minilux is a tragedy. Sublime IQ , convenient well thought out controls and accurate auto focus, but with the sudden death of E02 always around the corner. I am curious to hear if anyone has actually tried and been happy with the Ukraine based repair service offered on eBay. And more just as important, what the staying power of the repair is... My pristine dead beauty is still in the drawer...
 
I love my minilux and I would not hesitate trying the Ukrainian solution when my time for the E02 error would come🙂
it focuses quite fast it has a very good build and the lens draws very gently . It has its unique rendering like a pencil drawing .
 
The lenses are great. The viewfinders make the lenses irrelevant. And then there's the E02 thing and that Leica stopped supporting the CM super early. So, no, not recommended.

Why do you feel it suits your needs more than something else?
 
Mudman said:
Jamin: I'll gladly take your dead beauty off your hands and try the ukrainian fix with it!
Click to expand...

I'll keep that in mind...😀

For the moment I am savoring the tragedy of it. It's too good to ditch, but I am afraid of feeling like a chronic gambler, throwing good money after bad. I would really like to hear someone's testimony as to the efficacy and long run durability of the Ukrainian solution.
Meanwhile I have been using either a Fuji Tiara (DL Super Mini) or Tiara Zoom as travel point and shoots, but as good and compact as they may be, the Minilux lens is one of a few that really does seem to have some magic pixie powder at work...Mind you, for me, not enough pixie powder to justify a $900 conversion to M mount, especially given my subsequently acquired Summicron-C 40mm...
 
Hi,

What are the Fuji Tiara (etc) cameras like? I've often wondered but never see one at an affordable price for something just to play with / try out...

Regards, David
 
Years ago, I almost bought a CM but due to the reliability comments, I got an antiquated Hexar AF which I loved so much. It is the one camera over them all that I wish I had never sold.
Back to the original question, I think this is a case of the squeaky wheel getting the oil. The lens in the CM is one of Leica's very best offerings and some amazing photos have been made with them. Problem is, is that the satisfied customers are out taking photos with them, not posting how good the cameras are. We've seen this statistical sample space issue with all the digital Leica offerings in the last few years. M8 and IR, M9 and hot pixels, M9 and batteries, M9 and shutters, M9 and sensor corrosion. When my M8 and M9 worked, they worked fantastically and made beautiful images. Those were the times I didn't complain and I just happily posted photos on the web and used the cameras for work. When they failed is when I yelled.
So yeah, the CM has a great lens and not much support for repair of the camera but if you have a good one or know of a good one, keep/get it and use it.

Phil Forrest
 
David Hughes said:
Hi,

What are the Fuji Tiara (etc) cameras like? I've often wondered but never see one at an affordable price for something just to play with / try out...

Regards, David
Click to expand...

Very light, very tiny, very good IQ and not a bad range of manual override controls, including "snapshot mode" and manual fixed distance. I like the pocketability, 28mm lens and the sliding door that closes the camera more effectively and to a much smaller volume than an Olympus P&S. I often use the landscape mode to shut off flash and shrink aperture. I am attaching a link to my flickr photos taken with the Tiara...

https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=96319283@N08&sort=date-taken-desc&text=tiara&view_all=1

I always play around with scans so these are not out of camera, but still show what the lens can do with some tweaking. This is the only camera I've ever used "panorama" cropping on as well.
I have used the zoom much less - it's a bit bigger but the controls are even simpler to use, with 28-56mm being a good enough range for this kind of travel camera for me...
I do hate the auto DX read with 100 ASA default and no manual setting, which makes the use with B&W film more challenging for me.
 
Last edited:
CK Dexter Haven said:
The lenses are great. The viewfinders make the lenses irrelevant.
Click to expand...

Mostly yes, but the focus area is small and the DOF at wide apertures the DOF is small - the little focus patch is at times hard to see and focus can be "off" - precise but not accurate.
That said, I have one and use it. I fixed a yellow filter in front, that way I can also leave the camera in sleep mode. No resetting of settings, less likely to develop E02.

For critical work I prefer the Contax T3. More reliable (my backup for everything), can change films, easier to focus accurately, smaller, and I prefer the rendering of its lens to the Minilux (or any other 35mm lens I have used, for that matter).

That said, I do not regret getting the Minilux. Its snappy (fast AF!) and fun!

Here in use ski touring in Georgia (Caucasus).

2015-03-07-0001-Bearbeitet.jpg


2015-03-08-0016-Bearbeitet-2.jpg
 
Peter_S said:
Mostly yes, but the focus area is small and the DOF at wide apertures the DOF is small - the little focus patch is at times hard to see and focus can be "off" - precise but not accurate.
That said, I have one and use it. I fixed a yellow filter in front, that way I can also leave the camera in sleep mode. No resetting of settings, less likely to develop E02.

For critical work I prefer the Contax T3. More reliable (my backup for everything), can change films, easier to focus accurately, smaller, and I prefer the rendering of its lens to the Minilux (or any other 35mm lens I have used, for that matter).

That said, I do not regret getting the Minilux. Its fun!
Click to expand...


How did you fix the filter? Glued?
 
jamin-b said:
Very light, very tiny, very good IQ and not a bad range of manual override controls, including "snapshot mode" and manual fixed distance. I like the pocketability, 28mm lens and the sliding door that closes the camera more effectively and to a much smaller volume than an Olympus P&S. I often use the landscape mode to shut off flash and shrink aperture. I am attaching a link to my flickr photos taken with the Tiara...

https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=96319283@N08&sort=date-taken-desc&text=tiara&view_all=1

I always play around with scans so these are not out of camera, but still show what the lens can do with some tweaking. This is the only camera I've ever used "panorama" cropping on as well.
I have used the zoom much less - it's a bit bigger but the controls are even simpler to use, with 28-56mm being a good enough range for this kind of travel camera for me...
I do hate the auto DX read with 100 ASA default and no manual setting, which makes the use with B&W film more challenging for me.
Click to expand...

Hi,

Thanks a lot, I'll start worrying about it as soon as I've finished typing this. ;-)

Thanks again, David
 
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