disconnekt Posted December 4, 2007 Share #1 Posted December 4, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thanks to the advice of members of this forum, I have decided to purchase a Leica CL as my first ever rangefinder. There are currently some available on eBay anywhere from $500 to $1000 with or without lenses. Since I am based in Paris, I went over to La Maison du Leica (blvd Beaumarchais) to have a look. I guess I am not used to Leica snobbism (which I am sure when mixed with Parisian arrogance is much increased), because the manager made me wait a very long time and then instead of getting out the less-than-perfect CL that he had for sale to show me the camera, he just told me that soon he is getting in one in mint condition with the Leica 2/40 lens (the one I want) and it will cost around 700-750 euros. He said there would be no guarantee but that the old man always brought him impeccable equipment (he pointed out an M6 "Panda" the man had brought and indeed it looked new). That was it. I was expecting to get to play around a little with one or two cameras, but there was another person waiting so he hold me to call back in a few days about the CL. I initially thought it might be better to purchase in an authorized Leica shop, but the price difference (around 30% more) and the lack of any sort of guarantee make me think maybe eBay is the better place to buy. Do you experienced Leica owners have any advice? Thanks! Alison Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 4, 2007 Posted December 4, 2007 Hi disconnekt, Take a look here buying a Leica CL: authorized shop or eBay?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
andybarton Posted December 4, 2007 Share #2 Posted December 4, 2007 At least if you buy it from a shop you can at least take it back if there is anything wrong with it. There are a few around - I saw one in a shop in Manchester UK only this lunchtime (Jacobs, in Cross Street) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spylaw4 Posted December 4, 2007 Share #3 Posted December 4, 2007 Indeed there are some around - last week Richard Caplan in London had several. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
disconnekt Posted December 4, 2007 Author Share #4 Posted December 4, 2007 Actually, I'm not sure if the Leica shop would take it back—he was quite firm about there being no warranty! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocker Posted December 4, 2007 Share #5 Posted December 4, 2007 At least if you buy it from a shop you can at least take it back if there is anything wrong with it. There are a few around - I saw one in a shop in Manchester UK only this lunchtime (Jacobs, in Cross Street) Andy - if its the one I looked at a while ago in Jacobs the meter is bust!. Alison - you should get a warranty. Ffordes in the UK have 2 in stock at the moment and they give a 6 month warranty. ffordes photographic : Main Index Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted December 4, 2007 Share #6 Posted December 4, 2007 Difficult to find out a warranty for any gear this age. I don't go there often myself but i know Maison du Leica since the eightees at least and i find them rather expensive, somewhat snob but serious. The price is fair, the lens is a little gem so i'd go for it if i were you but i'd ask Maison how much they quote for a good CLA. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
disconnekt Posted December 4, 2007 Author Share #7 Posted December 4, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thanks, Cocker, I'll check into the dealer you mentioned. As for Maison de Leica, I know they have a good reputation and have been around for a while, but if I can't at least make sure I can return the camera after the first roll of film in case of a defect, I won't buy it. I'll ask about the CLA price or maybe see if they would negotiate a deal for a reduced-price CLA with the package. I also just checked Adorama's website and they have a couple used ones for sale. I'll be in NYC in 10 days' time so I could pick one up when I'm there, but any warranty they give will be useless to me since I'm coming back to France with it! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
engelfangen Posted December 4, 2007 Share #8 Posted December 4, 2007 I found it always to expensive to buy Leica in Paris. The prices of all things in all shops where about the double of what I payed in Germany. I have no idea how they make their prices. Some weeks ago there was a Leica CL with 2/40 for 290e in a photoshop in Dinslaken (with guarante, I wouldn't pay more). best regards Marc PS: I also waited too long in the shop you mentioned..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted December 4, 2007 Share #9 Posted December 4, 2007 Since I am based in Paris, I went over to La Maison du Leica (blvd Beaumarchais) to have a look. I guess I am not used to Leica snobbism (which I am sure when mixed with Parisian arrogance is much increased), because the manager made me wait a very long time I didn't realise that The Classic Camera had opened a branch in Paris (Alison, we have a very similar dealer here in London, really they are not all like that. My local dealer is quite the opposite). Does the 'mint' CL they are getting in come with a warranty? If so I'd go for that if it really is in good condition - surely the ONLY point in buying from a dealer is the fact that you should have some comeback if the thing turns out to be faulty. Buy the best you can find, don't settle for the first one you see. The other thing you could do is shoot a roll of film with the camera and get it 1 hour processed as a quick pre sale checkover. I have bought many items off e bay and so far have been OK. You are always taking a risk though and sometimes you are pleasantly surprised by the condition of an item other times the 'mint' item turns out to be more like 'exc' I saw a very nice CL at a camera fair earlier this year - another good source. Good luck with your search. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlw Posted December 4, 2007 Share #10 Posted December 4, 2007 It's a tough call, but buying from a shop has many advantages over ebay. If you are earning euros and coming to the US you might want to wait and buy it in NY, you'll save a lot on the weak dollar. What I do when looking at used cameras at a store is to run a roll of film through the camera and have the salesman hold the camera for an hour while you have it processed. If possible, run through as many exposure/aperture combinations as you can so you get a good sense of whether the shutter timings are right. Good luck - David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_newell Posted December 4, 2007 Share #11 Posted December 4, 2007 When I bought my CL, I bought it from Sherry Krauter, who'd given it a CLA and replaced the meter cell - and guaranteed her work. There is no better way to take the risk of problems out of a CL purchase. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
disconnekt Posted December 4, 2007 Author Share #12 Posted December 4, 2007 Wow, 290 for a CL + 2/40 with warranty in Germany? Holy cow, I can't believe how cheap that is. Too bad I can't speak German and am not going to Germany any time soon! Good idea about having a roll of film processed in one hour, but I don't even know if there are any labs around that do that anymore! Most of the lab chains in Paris now are more devoted to selling cell phones or making digital prints than anything else (how sad!) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhild Posted December 4, 2007 Share #13 Posted December 4, 2007 a roll in an hour , that´s probably coloured neg plus prints, not very effective if you want to test a shutter as the printing machines can be very tolerable about over/underexposure. To me the only way to test a shutter is slide film and a light table, but that takes more as just one hour. Apart from all this, I would never go for a CL because of it´s rangefinder. I would prefer a M3 or a M6 or a M6 TTL. Jo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
disconnekt Posted December 5, 2007 Author Share #14 Posted December 5, 2007 I contacted Sherry Krauter but unfortunately she doesn't have any CLs available right now. I bid on a CL + 2/40 on eBay but lost (it went for $650, I bid $617). I really can't decide if I should call back La Maison du Leica or not.... Jo, I have heard that the CL's rangefinder is inferior to the M series, but I want an inexpensive, entry level camera with built-in meter and can't afford an M6 unfortunately. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBonner Posted December 5, 2007 Share #15 Posted December 5, 2007 Because of the size of the CL the rangefinder will never be as effective over as great a range as on an M camera. Within its limitations though the CL is outstanding. Both dedicated lenses are stunning, easily among the best Leica have produced and the convenience of a built-in meter (if you get a good one) added to its diminutive proportions, makes it an ideal every-day carry. I adore mine and wouldn't be without it. It may be cheaper than an M, of any vintage, but it's more than capable of holding its own against its larger siblings. You won't regret getting one but buy the best you can afford and budget for a full CLA and meter voltage adjustment if not already done. There's also a super-useful compact leather case which takes the complete kit - well worth looking for. Oh, and if you see any 5.5 series filters, buy them! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
disconnekt Posted December 5, 2007 Author Share #16 Posted December 5, 2007 JBonner, thanks for your passionate endorsement! I am even more excited about getting one now. Do you have a suggestion about what would be a reasonable price for a working body + 2/40 Summicron lens? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBonner Posted December 5, 2007 Share #17 Posted December 5, 2007 Glad to help. My experience has been wholly positive, others of course may have different opinions. As for the cost of buying one, I wouldn't know about current prices I'm afraid, but I would think £500 or about a $1000US, should get a decent example with the 40mm lens. Look at lots before you buy, after thirty years there will be a huge range of conditions available. Good luck Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael-IIIf Posted December 5, 2007 Share #18 Posted December 5, 2007 Ffordes in the UK have 2 in stock at the moment and they give a 6 month warranty. ffordes photographic : Main Index Alison, I've never bought from Ffordes but I've heard nothing but good reports about them. If it were my choice I'd take one of the two they have on offer. I'm sure they'll happily ship to Paris. And if anything does go wrong it's not a major cost to send back. Of the two I would buy the cheaper one. I like to use my cameras, I never carry them in a case nor bag, they will get knocked, so I always prefer the previous owner to have taken the scuffing depreciation hit. "Obvious signs of use" wouldn't deter me. Hope you get one soon. Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted December 7, 2007 Share #19 Posted December 7, 2007 My local dealer is now advertising a CL with 40mm lens and case for £399. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steed Posted December 9, 2007 Share #20 Posted December 9, 2007 I hear that CL meters are often inoperable. Make sure yours works, or pay less for the camera. Good luck John W Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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