Leica/Minolta CL

[rovnguy]

Today I took my son down to our favorite camera shop to pick up his birthday gift. I am pleased to report that he has my love of film (wet photography). Alas, he's now a Canon EOS fan. While in the shop I saw a new addition on the used shelf. It is a Leica/Minolta CL. It is on consignment and thet're asking $980US for this camera and a 50mm f/2 lens. Does anyone here have any experience with this camera, and is the price realistic?

[wlewisiii]

A tidge high. I sold a nice one to an RFF member with 40 & 90 mm lenses for $800 and cosidered that a somewhat high price.

It's a nice enough camera. When I tested it though, I really disliked the metering - it's bassackwards from everyone else. All things considered, I'd rather have a Contax II...

But then, I would ...

William
(hoping the first half of this post is actually helpful.)

[back alley]

does it have framelines for the 50?
my cle's had for 28/40/90 only.

it's not a good deal price wise, but that's because it's consignment. the seller did not want to sell it himself, wants the camera store to do it but wants the same money he would get without paying the store's commission. basically, he wants you to pay the commission.
if you want it, make a firm, one time offer. the store will pass it on to the owner.

joe

[RML]

The CL has 40, 50 and 90 mm framelines.

Almost $1000 for a CL, and it doesn't come with the original 40/2? I'd say, let it pass. I'd give $500, at the most. I paid 550 euro total for my Leitz Minolta CL and Rokkor-M 40/2, but I bought them seperately and in Europe where $-prices tend to be Euro-prices.

You may want to check out what the 50 really is. Is it a 50mm Summicron, or something else? Depending on the lens the price might be a better deal, though I doubt it.

[Doug]

Agree with Remy; What 50mm f/2? A nice Summicron would make that deal more attractive. Note that the CL uses 1.35v mercury cells.

[MP Guy]

there is one on ebay now.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...PcY_BIN_Stores

[Huck Finn]

Rovnguy, you owe it to yourself to do a search on ebay to see what CL's are going for. I just checked & here's a quick summary of what I found on recently closed sales.

Two bodies have sold - one @ $355 & the other @ $570. The difference is that the first is in "very good - excellent condition", meaning a few dings, i.e. what might be expected of a 30 year old camera while the other had a recent CLA & was in "mint" condition. Four others sold with one or more lenses, prices ranging from $500-$750. All were exceptional buys. Two had recent CLAs, one with warranty. A third was in "like new" condition. The fourth included 2 lenses with filters, meter, flash, & 2 cases.

Two others with 40mm lens failed to sell because bids did not meet the reserve - one a collectible "50 Jahre" edition @ $910 & the other @ $560.

Two Leica 50 Summicrons from the '70s sold recently for $530 & $630. This is normally the price range for the current version on ebay. I think the difference for these 2 is that they were made in Germany ("Wetzlar" version) & I believe that many of the '70s Summicrons were made in Canada, which fetch a lower price. Another 50 Summicron from the '60s sold for $257. This may have been a Christmas bargain because these normally sell for at least $100 higher than this.

Take what yo will from this information, but my take on it is that two factors come into play on this purchase. First, the body would only sell for this price with lens if there is something special about it - mint, CLA, warranty, or something like that. A CLA could cost you anywhere from $100-$300 extra. Second, the value of the 50/2 Summicron will be a big factor in the price. A Wetzlar version on a camera in top condition with a CLA or warranty would make this a reasonable price from a dealer IMO.

The prices I quoted are ebay prices & would normally also include a small additional charge for shipping. Dealer asking prices would normally be higher. In this case, you have the advantage of being able to personally inspect the camera & avoid shipping.

Another comparison might be with a new Voigtlander Bessa R2 @ $550 with warranty + used Leica 50/2 which could be had for only a little more.

[rover]

Well, Huck isn't giving the rest of us a chance, but I think he is right.

If it is a 50/2 Summicron, in the kit you are buying it is the lens that is the price leader. If it isn't a Summicron, then the price of the kit may be very high. If it were me looking at this kit, I would probably pass with thoughts that with some patients and a bit of looking I could find a better deal. On ebay, or elsewhere.

[Huck Finn]

Excellent point, Rover. Wow, it never occurred to me that the "50/2 lens" would be anything other than a Leica Summicron. If it's not, all bets are off. I would also double check that it is in fact a 50. A CL with a 50 mm lens is an unusual package since the standard lens for this camera is the 40/2. As good as the 40/2 lens is, a CL with Leica 40/2 would normally draw a top price of $750 even from a dealer . . . at least from what I've seen.

It should also be noted that prices on film cameras are falling & the CL is no exception. One of the ebay dealers who sold his CL with 40/2 for $749 noted that he paid $1100 for it 7 years ago.

[rovnguy]

Yes gents, the lens is a 50/2 Summicron. Sorry for not initially mentioning it.

[Brian Sweeney]

Condition is everything on an older camera and lenses; but $980 is almost ($995)what I paid for my EX condition M3 with a Type I rigid Summicron and 135mm F4.5 Hektor from a camera shop 18 months ago.

A "user" CL body with non-working meter just went for $300 on EBay last week. A 40mm F2 Summicron in decent condition will go for $200~$250.

BTW: After seeing the condition of the CL with 40mm Summicron and 90mm F2.8 Tele-Elmarit, I considered the outfit from wlewisii to be a bargain. I would rate it 9.5/10 or Mint-, and I am fairly conservative. I have bought "mint" off of Ebay in worse condition....

I saw a CL with 40mm F2 Summicron in EX condition at a camera show for $500.

Let the CL sit on the shelf for a while and then make an offer closer to $700; IF the camera is in great condition.