Would you buy an un-repairable camera?

[Phil_F_NM]

Everything is repairable.
Not necessarily expensive, either.

I've never known of a Hexar (either type) becoming a brick, first hand nor the camera of someone I have known who has used theirs. The AF has known issues and those can be fixed. The RF is what the M7 should or could have been. It's just a better camera than the Leica, in my opinion. And honestly, if you buy a Leica, it's going to need work either right out of the gate or a few years in. Leica service is not cheap either and these days it takes longer than others. Of course, I'm in a yearlong waiting line to get my Nikon
F2AS overhauled by Sover Wong but I went in knowing there was a long wait. I have plenty of other cameras I can use in lieu of the hammer.

Anyway, if you want a Hexar, get one and get one that has a good history and low shutter count, if you can ascertain that information. I wanted a Mamiya 6 so I bought one after I sold my dreadful Leica M9. Then I didn't want to change lenses, so I bought another. That camera supposedly has even more risk but I can't and I won't live like that.

Phil Forrest

 

[farlymac]

Ha! I was so enamored about my first DSLR, I went and got a second one for a back-up, and it went toes up the first time I went to use it. So I got a later "bullet proof" model to replace them both.

It was the classic "costs more to fix than buy another one" scenario, and I didn't waste one minute feeling sorry about the demise of the back-up. Heck, it was a ten year old camera, so something was bound to go wrong. The only problem was it's a kind of fatal flaw very common to the model, and I wasn't going to spend time and money trying to bring it back to life.

I've got a mess of film cameras I've tried over the years, and it usually boils down to the ones I was happy with many ears ago are still the best ones I've got. So yeah, if you've got the hots for "X" camera and lens, go for it. You'll find out soon enough whether it was a good decision or not. If it doesn't work out, then you can go chasing after another frail model.

PF

 

[mike rosenlof]

Many many newer cameras are not really fixable, they get replaced. That's just a side effect of mass production vs. Skilled custom repair work. Given that, I would buy an unrepairable camera if I thought I would get "sufficient" use out of it before it breaks. Of course that is a guess at best. A lot depends on price and perceived reliability.

 

[benlees]

Generally, there is no one and only. We are talking cameras after all...

If the kids are fed and the rent is paid get what you want. Frankly, if you want a Leica just get a Leica; the CLE or the Hexar is a stop gap. You will spend less in the long run. Get the M6.

 

[sanmich]

In the same boat now is the Leica M6TTL. No more circuit boards available for that model. If it dies, it's meterless and flashless (the electronics also control the flash).

WHAT??
Leica doesn't hold part for TTLs?? 😱
what about the classic?

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

I guess I'd better say it...

If the worry is the electronics then look at the purely mechanical ones. The Leica M2 and M4's are the obvious ones and they work with handheld meters or else the little clip on meters that were sold for them at the time.

If the meters have been stored in their boxes or are the battery driven ones you've a good chance of getting one that works. And people can repair them, I've 30's meters to use with 30's cameras (because I like to have the whole outfit) and the repairers made a new cell for it.

If you don't like the original clip on ones then there's dozens of others about.

After my experiences with modern all-electronic cameras I'd never pay serious money for them but am happy to buy and try and use them at silly prices.

Regards, David