Buying a demo SL?

[profus]

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Hi,

 

 

I was offered a demo SL from an authorized Leica dealer at a reduced price. I asked of course about warranty, cosmetic look, number of actuation and the

answer I got was:

 

"The camera is new and not used ! Leica have some cameras - DEMO cameras with full warranty ! The camera is - as a new camera without
any scratches or anything ! You have the latest firmware - and no images was taken. "
 

Can this be real? What DEMO cameras are we talking about? What could be a purpose of such a demo model? Is it some kind of pre-production model or something?

 

Thank you very much

 

BR / Alex

[erlingmm]

Leica has a category called QM2, that are products with minor surface faults, but functionally fully according to specs. I have bought a couple of these myself, with 5-10% price reduction, and I was unable to see what was wrong. It may be in this category. Sometimes they have "demos" that have been used for exhibitions, but not used.

I think you should just ask for a bit more detail.

[thighslapper]

If I recall correctly Leica Demo cameras are usually returned to Leica, checked, adjusted, brought up to 'as new' spec and sold with the same conditions and warranty as a new camera. 

 

They cannot legally be sold as 'new' as they technically aren't ...... hence the discount and the description.

 

The only part of the dealers statement that is incorrect is 'no images taken' ......... all Leica cameras come with at least dozens and often hundreds of actuations made during the quality control process .... and a few hundred (or more) as a demo should make no difference. 

 

If you want an SL then grab the chance of a discount ..... it is a 'no risk' option. 

[ramarren]

Sometimes demo cameras are cameras that were allocated for use on display in exhibitions or shows. Many times, they weren't even taken out of the box ... they just needed to have sufficient spares on hand in case something happened to a unit that was being handled. I bought my M9 as a demo unit like that. 

[marknorton]

It sounds to me like a good deal, providing you have the opportunity to check it over and return it you are not happy.

 

As for the number of actuations, even if it was a few hundred, is that of concern representing as it does a fraction of the number it's likely to see over a few years of ownership. I have a Nikon D3X which has over 150000 from new, all fine.

[wlaidlaw]

Unless you have the decoding algorithm for the shutter actuations gobbledygook, you will have no idea how many shutter actuations have actually taken place both at the factory or elsewhere.

 

I think Leica used to conservatively rate their film camera fabric blind shutters (M6 etc) at a minimum shutter life of 100,000 actuations but nowadays professionals are getting in excess of 250,000 for the big FF Nikons and Canons. I would guess you could expect similar from an SL with its titanium blade shutter, so a few hundred actuations does not move the meter very much. 

 

Wilson

[satijntje]

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^{I recently bought a demo 50mm Summicron-APO for a reduced price at the Leica Outlet shop in Wetzlar.}

^{However, warrantee was limited to one year only.}

^{A reduced warrantee period for a lens is acceptable but for a camera I would insist for full warrantee of 2 years.}

^{Good luck}

^John

[steppenw0lf]

Hello,

 

I bought a demo SL. It was the only way to get one right now.

I cannot find any faults (knock on wood), so I simply say  "Why not" .

 

Stephan

[Peter H]

I'd buy it if i liked the price and, crucially, if I knew and trusted the dealer. 

[thighslapper]

ps. I've had lots of ex-demo Leica stuff .... all ok apart from 2 exceptions .......

 

an ex-demo M9 which turned out to have 6000 actuations and loads of dust in the viewfinder ..... it was exchanged without question for a new camera ...... so I basically got one to use for a month free and then a new one 15% off. It is no coincidence that after the M9 it became impossible to read the number of actuations ..... sorry ..... the subsequent changes are all my fault .......

 

I also had an 18/3.8 which turned out to have the aperture blades stuck wide open and some odd focus problems with one half of the image field ..... I suspect it had been dropped .... again exchanged for a new one at a lovely 15% discount. 

 

You really cannot go wrong with official dealer supplied ex-demo gear .... just like the brand new, it will be exchanged without question if it is not up to standard. 

[tomtom]

Also bought a demo sl (QM2)  for 10% off......   happy with that!