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Leica Minilux/CM - any hope in buying a working one?


ivory-potsdam

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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, battery drain, 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? (yes the lens is fine...)
I can't imagine that all of the produced Minilux's and CM's are faulty or at least close to it.

So what do you guys think? Is it safe to buy a Minilux/CM that is still working, while the others already stopped. Or will it die soon like all the others?
 
Regards
Ivory
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I am unable to answer your question. However my memory suggests that experience with the CM has been better than the Minilux model. The younger CM was launched as an improvement of the older Minilux, so that is not surprising. Please search the forum where I know the topic has been discussed in the past.

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Hi Ivory,

 

the older Leica Minilux gets sometimes an electronic fault, called error02 if i remember correctly. I think Leica can still repair it and I have a rare black mint Leica Minilux in my collection. The lens is excellent. The Leica CM has the better viewfinder and is superior in every technical aspect to the Minilux, but some have a shutter fault, which cannot be repaired by Leica anymore. The shutter of the Leica CM Zoom (1/500s) is different and more reliable to the one of the Leica CM (1/1000s).

 

Best Regards,

 

Moritz

Edited by Moritz
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I think you would be better off getting a good Contax T2 or T3.

 

I sold my T3 a few years ago, the only camera I ever regretted selling, and so replaced it with a mint one from Japan late last year.  The T3 is my favourite film compact of all time - tiny, plenty of manual override features, and an exceptional 2.8/35 T* Sonnar Zeiss lens.  

 

Just be aware that Kyocera stopped supporting the T3 earlier this year although depending on the problem it may be able to be fixed by a general camera repairer.  I sent mine for a routine service the month beforehand. 

 

You won't find many negative comments about these two cameras.

Edited by MarkP
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...

 

If you are interested in the optical qualities of the old Minilux lens Summarit 2.4-40mm, there is a solution for all Leica M cameras:

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Quote from the webside: "

 
Because of the outdated, unreliable and irreparable electronics every purchase of a used Minilux may be part of a lottery.
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My understanding is that the Minilux E02 error is actually a faulty ribbon cable connecting the lens to the body, and is not repairable by Leica. (However, I do remember someone who managed to get a third party repair done, though I cannot remember the details.) My first Leica was a Minilux, and the image quality totally seduced my. I passed it on to a friend, who still has it. I bought a CM, and later a black Minilux as well, mainly for swank, but they don't often get an outing.

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The Minilux is well known for the E02 error. A had a brand new and just out of the box there was the error. Was replaced by another new one by the seller. The CM had some battery drain problem in the beginning but that was solved. I have more than one CM and besides the Minilux Zoom also a CM Zoom. All still work perfect although they don't get much use these days. Still have slide film in the freezer for use with them. The CM and CM Zoom are far better cameras to use than the Miniluxes. Lenses are besides different coating according to Leica the same: both very good. Repairs cannot be done by Leica anymore but in the thread below there seems to be a specialist in Portugal. Still love my CM's, CM Zoom, Minilux Zoom. The Minilux has one design fault, when you turn it on the flash is in auto mode. With the CM, CM Zoom and Minilux Zoom it can be set default to off. Compared to todays digital counterparts they are rather small.

 

Link: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/240717-minilux-q-regarding-e02-error/

 

Best

 

Roger

Edited by rjans
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The E02 problem with the Minilux and the CM has to do with a cable getting worn from the lens extending and retracting repeatedly.  Even if you fix it by replacing the cable (which you can buy from the Chinese TaoBao site for about $10; made not by the original supplier but reportedly works very well according to various Chinese user sites), the problem will eventually return.

 

http://world.taobao.com/item/42168500665.htm?spm=a312a.7700714.0.0.4XZktT#detail

 

 

While the 40 Summarit on these cameras edge out the 35/2.8 on the Contax T3 slightly in terms of detail, I do think the T3 is a much better buy and a more robust camera.  In fact, I bought a T3 and a TVS III myself recently and couldn't be happier. 

Edited by cpclee
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This page shows what a repair of the E02 problem involves.  The photos belong to a Chinese repairman who supposedly has fixed numerous dead Miniluxes / CMs.  A couple of months ago I tried to reach out to him via email but got no response. 

 

http://forum.xitek.com/thread-1062827-1-1-1.html

 

Notice that as a more permanent fix for the Minilux he sands down a sharp edge of this metal barrel that holds the lens which the cable would rub against.  The CM repair is simpler and he puts in a little tape to soften the friction.

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I too picked up a TVS III, just after the T3. Although fun to use I sold on this beautifully made camera (at no loss fortunately) for a few reasons.

 

 

Too much barrel distortion in WA, the motor-driven zoom lens,  and the awkwardness of use and holding the camera with that stupid lens protecting door (a major criticism when the camera was released).

 

The T3 with it's lens however, is a gem!

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If I had a Minilux this is what i would do to the lens, too  :)

 

 

If you are interested in the optical qualities of the old Minilux lens Summarit 2.4-40mm, there is a solution for all Leica M cameras:

attachicon.gifLeica Minilux Summarit 40:2.4 for Leica M .png

Quote from the webside: "

attachicon.gifLeica Minilux Summarit 40:2.4 for Leica M_Description.png

 
Because of the outdated, unreliable and irreparable electronics every purchase of a used Minilux may be part of a lottery.

 

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I actually like the lens door but I can see why it can put off some users.  I haven't noticed the barrel distortion -- don't know if I've shot enough at the wide end to notice, but I'm generally quite smitten by how good this zoom lens is. It's a nice reminder that with film, high image quality can come in a very small package.  Not true with digital.  Just look at the Leica X Vario.  MUCH larger than the TVS III despite a similarly spec'd lens.

 

I just came back from a trip where the only "real" cameras I brought were the T3 and TVS III.  I loaded these cameras with ISO 400 and 100 films respectively and it was so much fun!

 

I too picked up a TVS III, just after the T3. Although fun to use I sold on this beautifully made camera (at no loss fortunately) for a few reasons.

 

 

Too much barrel distortion in WA, the motor-driven zoom lens,  and the awkwardness of use and holding the camera with that stupid lens protecting door (a major criticism when the camera was released).

 

The T3 with it's lens however, is a gem!

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I actually like the lens door but I can see why it can put off some users.  I haven't noticed the barrel distortion -- don't know if I've shot enough at the wide end to notice, but I'm generally quite smitten by how good this zoom lens is. It's a nice reminder that with film, high image quality can come in a very small package.  Not true with digital.  Just look at the Leica X Vario.  MUCH larger than the TVS III despite a similarly spec'd lens.

 

I just came back from a trip where the only "real" cameras I brought were the T3 and TVS III.  I loaded these cameras with ISO 400 and 100 films respectively and it was so much fun!

 

My plan was also to travel light at times with just a black T3 (double-tooth, non-date back, with filter adapter/30.5m filter/hood) and silver TVSIII. 

 

The T3 I already knew well having previously had one (well actually two) for years.  However I just couldn't get to like the TVSIII especially holding it when that big rectangular door was open and zooming by that stupid button system - completely beyond me why they took that retro design route where function followed form.  The lens renders beautifully but the wide distortion also me off so the 35mm lens on th eT3 was fine for me and kept things simple with just the one FL.

 

I'd previously had a TVSII which had a manual zoom lens I'd much preferred but was tempted my the more modern TVSIII, also thinking that reliability would be an issue for the TVSII which is also a much bigger and heavier camera. I think I'll either get a beater TVSII, or a second T3 or T2, or of course I could just use my M7 with the MATE where I want a film zoom!

 

Enjoy your beautiful Contaxes. I believe that the T-series Contax cameras were the pinnacle of compact 35mm film camera design and build quality unfortunately never to be repeated.  Maybe I really should just get another black T3 but they are getting expensive.

Edited by MarkP
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