New Leica CL owner with a question

[kutitta]

Hi all,

Today I bought a Leica CL with Sumicron 40mm f/2 for AU$10 from Salvos. Of course with that price tag the transaction was almost instant. I didn't check anything at all. It came with a small bag, and I believe the camera has been stored in it for quite a while.

The cosmetic condition is very good, and the lens is free from fungus, dust etc.

I am very much excited, but the camera has a stuck shutter issue. I attach two photographs that, I hope, will help you with diagnosing the problem more clearly. I don't know if it's related with the shutter problem, but the rewind knob is also loose. It goes all the way up, and stays there as shown in one of the photographs. It doesn't turn the take-up spool either. CLA might be the solution, but maybe not??

Many thanks in advance for your help!

I have quite a few film SLRs, and a rangefinder (Yashica Electro 35 GSN), but being a Leica owner was always a dream for me - largely because of my admiration of the Armenian Turkish photojournalist Ara Guler, especially his BW street photography in the old Istanbul. He only uses Leica.

So the new dream is now to have a "working" Leica. Do you think it might happen without an arm and leg?

Also any recommended repairer in Sydney? I contacted Camera Service Center based in Sydney CBD and still waiting for the quote... I also appreciate if you can share your opinion of the reasonable repair cost.

[k__43]

worst case scenario is you bought a lens worth $300-$400 for $10 with a dead camera attached, still very cool!

so the shutter seems cocked (the light meter arm is in place) - it's not releasing when you press it? is the release button stuck as well?
anyway .. it seems fixable but Leica repairs are never "cheap". you maybe better try selling the body as defect and save up for a M2 (and use it with the 40mm).
btw. I sold a CL (w/o lens) to someone in Australia in January for 200 euros

[kbg32]

For the price you paid, I certainly would bring it in to a reputable repair service and have it checked out. Take it from there...

[raid]

Send the camera to a really good repairman and also have the lens cleaned.

[heartattackandvine]

What a lucky find, kutitta. I'm going to start checking out the Salvos after this.

(BTW. Thanks for the info on Ara Guler, his work looks great.)

[raid]

What is "Salvos"?
Is this like a Goodwill Store in the USA?

[seifadiaz]

Salvation Army

[raid]

Originally Posted by seifadiaz

Salvation Army

Is "Salvos" a nickname for it?

[FrankS]

Sometimes the light meter stalk becomes jammed. Reach into the camera with a finger or tool and GENTLY attempt to move it up or down to see if it comes loose. Another way to say this is: check to see that it moves freely (under a spring tension).

[kutitta]

Thanks k_43,

Even the worst case scenario sounds pretty good. I might actually consider selling the body as defective, but first I'll try to get a quote. After reading a positive review about Youxin Ye (www.yyecamera.com), I contacted him, and he asks $125 including return postage to AU for CLA, but he is not quite sure whether he can unjam the camera. If he can't he says he can send to DAG, but it would be pretty expensive. I try to find a local solution first though!

[kutitta]

Originally Posted by kbg32

For the price you paid, I certainly would bring it in to a reputable repair service and have it checked out. Take it from there...

Thanks for the advise! I'm still waiting for the quote from Camera Service Center. I've read customer reviews online from different forums and they seem to do a proper job with Leicas.

[kbg32]

Just don't mess with it yourself. It the meter is dead, you can always have it removed and you'd be left with a very compact manual camera. Nothing wrong with that!

[kutitta]

Originally Posted by heartattackandvine

What a lucky find, kutitta. I'm going to start checking out the Salvos after this.

(BTW. Thanks for the info on Ara Guler, his work looks great.)

You should!

My short history with Salvos

Leica CL with lens: $10

Olympus OM-1N in pristine condition with 3 lenses below: $35
OM-System Zuiko MC Auto-S 50mm f/1.4
OM-System Zuiko MC Auto-S 28mm f/3.5
Sigma 100-200mm f/4.5

Asahi Pentax Spotmatic F in good working condition with 3 lenses below, 14 Hoya filters and four-piece extension tubes: $50
Asahi SMC Takumar 50mm f/1.4
Asahi SMC Takumar 35mm f/3.5
Asahi SMC Takumar 200mm f/4 (with fungus)

Yashica Electro 35 GSN in mint condition with case plus wide and telephoto extension set again with its case: $25

Interestingly Leica CL was is my cheapest buy at Salvos! Probably it was just too small for them! I kinda think that they put the prices according to the weight of items!

BTW I'm glad you liked Ara Guler - he is my favourite photographer!

[kutitta]

Originally Posted by raid

Is "Salvos" a nickname for it?

Actually it's a not a nickname, that's their official trade name for their second-hand shops!

See the link:

http://salvosstores.salvos.org.au/

[kutitta]

Originally Posted by FrankS

Sometimes the light meter stalk becomes jammed. Reach into the camera with a finger or tool and GENTLY attempt to move it up or down to see if it comes loose. Another way to say this is: check to see that it moves freely (under a spring tension).

Thank you Franks, I did try, but unfortunately it doesn't move at all. There is little pin on the top left touching the right of the thing going down - not sure it can be seen in the photo...

[kutitta]

Originally Posted by kbg32

Just don't mess with it yourself. It the meter is dead, you can always have it removed and you'd be left with a very compact manual camera. Nothing wrong with that!

Hi, thanks for the advise. The meter seems to be working. I removed the batter from my Pentax Spotmatic F, and installed the CL, and meter responds the changes in the aperture and shutter rings, but not sure how accurate it is.

I actually don't mind the meter much as I already have a handheld lightmeter which I can use with Leica as well.

[DamenS]

You could also try "Mainline Photo" if you are in Sydney. Gus is a qualified Leica technician.

[kutitta]

Originally Posted by k__43

so the shutter seems cocked (the light meter arm is in place) - it's not releasing when you press it? is the release button stuck as well?

Just realised that I didn't answer that part of your post k_43!

Yes the shutter release button is also stuck!

[kutitta]

Originally Posted by DamenS

You could also try "Mainline Photo" if you are in Sydney. Gus is a qualified Leica technician.

I will definitely do so! Thanks so much!

[David Hughes]

Hi,

At the price you paid you should (or, politely, I would) get it repaired.

They are stunning cameras with a brilliant lens and a good repair will make it as good as new and with a guarantee. There's lots of specialist repair people for Leica, all over the world.

You won't regret it and you could even sell it on at a profit with the invoice for the repair.

Regards, David

[k__43]

Originally Posted by kutitta

Just realised that I didn't answer that part of your post k_43!

Yes the shutter release button is also stuck!

my guess is, the shutter is like 99% cocked but the release is not freed quite yet. there is only a small push on the lever necessary but it seems something broke there (an actuator between the lever and the shutter mechanism or something).
try to pull the lever with a tiny little more force towards the end position (not too much tho). when that thing is broken already you can't break it more.
or you can try a cable release .. maybe only the release button itself is stuck and everything else is fine!

the meter still works? This is great news! Makes the defect body
more valuable.
Actually $125 sounds great! My guess is there is a high chance the defect is minor and he will find the problem when disassembling that thing.

[kutitta]

Originally Posted by k__43

my guess is, the shutter is like 99% cocked but the release is not freed quite yet. there is only a small push on the lever necessary but it seems something broke there (an actuator between the lever and the shutter mechanism or something).
try to pull the lever with a tiny little more force towards the end position (not too much tho). when that thing is broken already you can't break it more.
or you can try a cable release .. maybe only the release button itself is stuck and everything else is fine!

the meter still works? This is great news! Makes the defect body
more valuable.
Actually $125 sounds great! My guess is there is a high chance the defect is minor and he will find the problem when disassembling that thing.

Hi again,

I tried both, but unfortunately they didn't work. I am still trying to find a local solution to avoid overseas postage, but $125 is so tempting.

[kutitta]

Originally Posted by David Hughes

Hi,

At the price you paid you should (or, politely, I would) get it repaired.

They are stunning cameras with a brilliant lens and a good repair will make it as good as new and with a guarantee. There's lots of specialist repair people for Leica, all over the world.

You won't regret it and you could even sell it on at a profit with the invoice for the repair.

Regards, David

Thanks David for your comment and your politeness - much appreciated..

I will definitely get it repaired, and actually no intention of selling it if the problem gets fixed.

I am actually now selling my Asahi Pentax Spotmatic F with three prime Takumar lenses including 50mm f/1.4 to raise some money for the repair. The set is on ebay now, and let's see how it goes.

Unfortunately I am a poor PhD student finishing his thesis- like many postgrads I survive with a very limited budget.. I just hope that almost two decades of tertiary studying will be of use one day!

[Geordiepete]

Keep us posted about your CL. It's a great story so far and I'm looking forward to the photographs you eventually get with it and the 40 'Cron.

[kutitta]

Originally Posted by Geordiepete

Keep us posted about your CL. It's a great story so far and I'm looking forward to the photographs you eventually get with it and the 40 'Cron.

Thank you for your comment and sharing my excitement!

So the latest update is that I have just sent the camera to Youxin Ye (http://www.yyecamera.com/).

I've read quite positive comments about him on this forum and elsewhere. He will charge $80 for unjamming the camera, but he doesn't make any promises. He says he doesn't do much work on CL as it is a stand alone model. But he also says that he did unjam few CLs in the past, and he would try to do his best.

The good thing is that he will not charge anything if he can't fix it. I will then only pay for the return postage. The official Leica service in Australia asked $50 for the inspection, and said they will not do service if the cost of repair is below $150.

So I will keep my fingers crossed until I hear back from Youxin Ye.

And of course I will definitely post the updates!