Leica CM zoom (price and user experience question)

darkosaric · Jan 10, 2020

Hi all,

I purchased camera as broken, but it looks like it works just fine (it has plastic bottom, not original, but all works fine on dry test). Still need to test it with film, then I will sell it. I don't see many of those anywhere, so it would be interesting for me to hear if some of APUGers used one of those?

darkosaric · Jan 10, 2020

I see now that this is pre-production version:

https://www.japancamerahunter.com/product/leica-cm-zoom-prototype/

macfred · Jan 10, 2020

Not the CM zoom but the CM (with Summarit f/2.4 40mm) that I got relatively cheap (250,- EUR). Used it only for half a year with good results but then I got problems with the shutter (ElShut01 error).
I used the older Leica Minilux too (same lens) - stopped working after maybe one year (E02 error).

Those cameras are hardly to repair - I wouldn't buy them anymore.
I still use a Konica Hexar AF as an advanced poin-and shoot ...

darkosaric · Jan 10, 2020

Yes, that is why I sold Contax T2, and Minilux, I was afraid that electronics will broke. Better to sold.

Henning Serger · Jan 10, 2020

Meanwhile there is a repair specialist who can often do repair these cameras.
Pierro Pozella has a good reputation. He has repaired lots of these cameras:
https://www.ppprepairs.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/ppp_repairs/?hl=de
https://theartoffilm.co/industry-insight-ppp-repairs-pierro-pozella/

Heard that they have done it, too:
http://www.ffs-tritec.de/
http://www.gres.co.uk/gres.htm
http://www.lutoncameras.co.uk/

General list of repair technicians:
https://www.35mmc.com/17/07/2016/specialist-film-camera-repair-modification-companies/

Best regards,
Henning

darkosaric · Jan 10, 2020

Thanks for the info Henning !

Henning Serger · Jan 10, 2020

darkosaric said:
Thanks for the info Henning !

Keine Ursache, gern geschehen .

Viele Grüße,
Henning

darkosaric · Jan 17, 2020

Just developed 2 test negatives: it works fine, and negatives are looking sharp, with nice contrast, and well exposed. Will post later some examples.
I know that other cheaper P&S can also give same picture quality - but this camera is really joy to use, with manual focus presetting - nice and quiet on the street... damn, now I don't want to sell it .

NB23 · Jan 17, 2020

darkosaric said:
Just developed 2 test negatives: it works fine, and negatives are looking sharp, with nice contrast, and well exposed. Will post later some examples.
I know that other cheaper P&S can also give same picture quality - but this camera is really joy to use, with manual focus presetting - nice and quiet on the street... damn, now I don't want to sell it .

Use it and when it breaks, have it repaired!

darkosaric · Jan 18, 2020

yes, the price I paid was 200€, it is a fair price for camera like this. it will be put to use

darkosaric · Jan 20, 2020

Some samples, cheap negative scans. Interesting thing about date stamp: year is full "2020", not just last 2 digits. I know many do not like date stamp, but after Araki pictures, I kind of like it (sometimes):

macfred · Jan 20, 2020

Looking great - like the first one - naval surgeon / ship's doctor ?

NB23 · Jan 20, 2020

It’s Tito.

darkosaric · Jan 21, 2020

NB23 said:
It’s Tito.

Not many will understand

darkosaric · Jan 21, 2020

macfred said:
Looking great - like the first one - naval surgeon / ship's doctor ?

No idea, he was walking there while I was aiming for the building, did not pay attention to the details on the uniform.

macfred · Jan 21, 2020

darkosaric said:
Not many will understand

Josip has risen from the death ...

jtk · Jan 22, 2020

macfred said:
Not the CM zoom but the CM (with Summarit f/2.4 40mm) that I got relatively cheap (250,- EUR). Used it only for half a year with good results but then I got problems with the shutter (ElShut01 error).
I used the older Leica Minilux too (same lens) - stopped working after maybe one year (E02 error).

Those cameras are hardly to repair - I wouldn't buy them anymore.
I still use a Konica Hexar AF as an advanced poin-and shoot ...

Sold my Hexar AF. I wasn't smart enough for it, plus it was no good for low light with 800ei.

Leica CM zoom (price and user experience question)

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