Well, its more than eight years that I used this camera and made more than 2000 excellent quality negatives/prints.
Nevertheless,it did not finally escaped the E02 plague and is now operationally useless though, otherwise, is like brand new. Really beautiful.
LEI CA factory in Germany asked me 199,5 Euros (that would sum-up to 235 Euros plus VAT) for restoring operation, given that they include the shutter malfunction in an overall servicing that would NOT otherwise be indispensable for me.
I asked the repairing of the shutter (E02) only but they denied the repair, arguing that the mechanics of the camera are tired...! ! ! already and need be replaced.
Here are then my grievances go.They preferred returning a useless camera to me, their client, than isolating, restoring and billing me for the shutter problem only.
I now have a very beautiful LEICA MINILUX camera useless on my bookshelf.
Minilux - the most expensive paper weight of all times. After being a good companion for quite it died on me with an E02 error without any warning. Funny enough I still keep it around and I sometimes power it up just to see if it decided to start working again... I don't really know if it is the quality of the photos it used to shoot or the rather hefty price I once paid for it that keeps me from throwing it into the bin.
I think a lot of people get it wrong with this camera, it is actually a rather simple Panasonic unit with a fantastic Leica lens wrapped up in titanium looking steel with a red Leica badge glued onto it.
Strengths:
A good travel companion, fairly light and discreete compared to a regular SLR. After putting some tape over the Leica logo, it will be taken for a rather cheap looking point and shoot camera. I picked it up to substitute my SLR on thrips where I did not want to bring a large kit and loaded with a roll of Velvia and I was always pleased with the results.
Weaknesses:
Although you'll be able to pick one up at Ebay for a cheap price it will most likely die with the shutter error when you need it the most. It is possible to get the shutter replaced, but somehow I have a feeling that I will end up with another E02 a year down the road.
Fairly expensive to buy, expensive to fix and not even really a proper Leica. Trust me when I say that this one will never be a classic...
Customer Service:
I was not impressed with the customer service provided by Leica. They did not even bother to give a response to a polite letter asking for an explanation to the shutter error problem.
I went all digital few years ago and I currently use Nikon D70 and few Nikon lenses for most of my photos. Hoewever, I really missed the picture quality of the prints from the 35 mm negatives and the entire process of carefully composing, waiting, and shooting that can easily be neglected from digital shooting....
Thus, I surfed web and bought this camera for $350....
I was once a high-end Point and Shoot afficinado, so I used and owned most of them in the market before eventually selling them all....
I really believe this is the best point and shoot camera and one of the best bargain now at around $300 to $400 in good condition from www.KEH.com...
Strengths:
I have once owned and used majority of the high end point shoot in the market. However, this is the camera with the best lens. Most of the professional review on the web seems to support this point. I was somewhat worried about the infamous EO2 failuare, but with the current bargain price of $350, it is well worth taking a chance....
Weaknesses:
Shutter speed is limited to 1/400... but you can use slow film such as the Fuji Reala 100 and not have to worry about the overexposure.
Similar Products Used:
Contax TVS I, II, III, Minilux Zoom, Contax T2, Contax T3, Yashica T4
For a while I've been "shall-I / shan't-I" about this camera. Many of the reviews here are worrying. Reliability seems a big problem. However there's some amazing deals on Ebay at present. What the hell, for 200 quid I took the plunge. Unwrapped it and yes, build is a level above, a true pleasure to hold. But how does it perform? I spent two weeks in the beautiful Scilly Isles on a head-to-head - the Minilux vs an old R4 with a selection of wide angle lenses. The results amazed me - the Minilux had the edge every time - a bit crisper, more contrasty, sharp but so so smooth. Honestly, they are the best most consistent set of prints I have ever seen with any camera. It reminded me (not that I need it) how much I love film. So far so good. Will I get E02 error? Time will tell. At £200 it's worth the risk I feel.
Strengths:
* The 40mm summarit is a star
* Consistent performer
* Reasonably portable
* Pleasure of ownership
Weaknesses:
* On/Off switch is a bit of a clunker
* What a racket it makes
* Manual focus option is a bit limited, don't get carried away, it's no RF
Rating Reviewed by: Martin Ekenberg(Unregistered User)
(Intermediate)
Review Date October 27, 2003
Overall Rating 2 of 5
Value Rating 1 of 5
Used product for More than 1 year
Visitors rate this review 2.15 of 5,
13 votes
Review 5 of 70
Price Paid:
$440.00
Summary:
Overpriced camera, unreliable, not even the optics are very impressing.
When comparing to my Yashica T5, the leica minilux took less sharp photos, is a lot heavier and finally it broke (E02, shutter error). From now on, I will stick to Carl Zeiss lenses, i.e. Yashica and Contax.
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