Is this a good deal?

[Owem]

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From my last post I asked the forum which Leica should be my first. I concluded from the audience that the CL is a great start. I found a deal where I can get a CL, Leitz Cron 40mm and Leitz elmar-c 90mm f4. All in working condition, with a few minor scuffs for 750$. Is this a good price?

Edited October 23, 2012 by Owem
Lack of price for people to see if it's a good deal.

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[Bateleur]

My entry to the Leica magic was through the CL route together with a 40mm and 90mm. It is still my travel camera of choice!

If the camera meter is working and the rangefinder is accurate and bright, see

Leica Minolta and Leica CL first I think that is a reasonable price

 

Regards

Charles

[wutschel]

From my last post I asked the forum which Leica should be my first. I concluded from the audience that the CL is a great start. I found a deal where I can get a CL, Leitz Cron 40mm and Leitz elmar-c 90mm f4. All in working condition, with a few minor scuffs for 750$. Is this a good price?

 

The price seems to be ok to me. We do not need to discuss the quality of the lenses here at this place. They are stunning.

If the camera is doing fine, go for it. It's a nice deal.

But consider that you probably want more later. And that you probably will look for an M model later on when you are beginning to get a habit on these drugs:D

 

Best regards from Peine/Germany

 

wutschel

[madNbad]

CL's can be a great little cameras. If you really want an M system camera then buy one but if you're just looking for an easy to use small rangefinder with interchangeable lenses then it's a good deal. Use it untill it dies and then buy an MP.

[Messsucherkamera]

From my last post I asked the forum which Leica should be my first. I concluded from the audience that the CL is a great start. I found a deal where I can get a CL, Leitz Cron 40mm and Leitz elmar-c 90mm f4. Alll in working condition, with a few minor scuffs for 750$. Is this a good price?

 

If all three items are 100% functional with no major damage, it sounds like a reasonable to good price.

 

Look for dents or other signs of being dropped, damage to front and rear lens elements, fungus in the lenses, (dust is not something to worry about - all lenses get dust in them as they age), what appears to be oil on the aperture blades (both sides) when closed down to the smallest aperture, and excessive signs of wear on the film pressure plate.

 

Some minor streaking is not an issue but if the plate shows paint worn away with bare metal showing - that indicates heavy use. The film advance lever should be tight - no wiggle movement when gentle pressure is applied to it from the top and bottom when it is extended away from the camera body.

 

If you see any of the above, you should contact an established Leica repair technician ( Kinderman or Sherry Krauter) or Leica NJ to get an estimate of the repair cost then deduct that from the $750 sale price.

Edited October 25, 2012 by Messsucherkamera

[andym911]

agree with all the above..sounds very reasonable assuming glass is good and the light meter is working accurately .

 

good luck:D

[earleygallery]

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Are you going on your own opinion of condition or something you've read on ebay?

 

The CL has it's fans but it's not without it's issues. Don't buy it blind unless you have a warranty and option to return for refund.

[Messsucherkamera]

I would not put any faith in eBay as a credible reference for pricing - or anything else, for that matter.

 

Good advice (above) about having the option to return for a refund. If the seller will not give you the option of a return and refund for somewhere between 15 and 30 days (minimum) after buying, consider that a red flag.

Edited October 26, 2012 by Messsucherkamera

[A Harness]

I think the price seems pretty good

[smb]

The major drawbacks with the CL is that it is an older camera and if something goes wrong there is very limited options on repair. Somewhere I read that there are no spare parts. If you would move to an M the 40mm does not match up to the framelines on the M.

[pico]

From my last post I asked the forum which Leica should be my first. I concluded from the audience that the CL is a great start. I found a deal where I can get a CL, Leitz Cron 40mm and Leitz elmar-c 90mm f4. All in working condition, with a few minor scuffs for 750$. Is this a good price?

 

Minor data point: I just sold a Leica CL with non-working light meter for $235 USD on the big auction site. Other than the light meter, it was in EX condition.

 

You might benefit by reading Stephen Gandy's experience with the CL here.

Edited November 2, 2012 by pico

[colonel]

I would not put any faith in eBay as a credible reference for pricing - or anything else, for that matter.

 

Good advice (above) about having the option to return for a refund. If the seller will not give you the option of a return and refund for somewhere between 15 and 30 days (minimum) after buying, consider that a red flag.

 

eBay is not a company, it's a collection of sellers

Some are really excellent, especially some of the camera specialists

The added advantage is a great insurance safety scheme by eBay, which I have used a few times

 

It's down to the seller. Make sure you do your research on them

[pop]

I would not put any faith in eBay as a credible reference for pricing

 

It's not credible if you study the asking prices. It's "credible" in the sense that you can track what people did in fact pay for items similar to one of interest. The conclusions are, of course, still up to you.