is this worth keeping around?

pixmedic · Nov 22, 2013

yea...
i don't even know why i still have this. I don't have any lenses for it.
anyone know much about this guy?
a little google-fu turned up some mixed opinions.
apparently this is from 1980-1981, and for some reason (quality control? lack of popular features?) got a bad rep.
I left this camera at a friends house a while back and its getting shipped back to me next week.
noooooo idea what to do with it. i DID look up Leica R lenses....pricey.

View attachment 60793

compur · Nov 22, 2013

If it's fully functional it has value. But, a lot of them developed problems and repairs are pricey.

pixmedic · Nov 23, 2013

mechanically everything seems to work just fine. it is in good cosmetic condition.
well, last time I saw it anyway... but i don't imagine anything has changed.
without a lens though, I cant run a roll of film through it so...
im undecided on what to do with it. i dont think i can drum up enough interest in shooting it to spend the money on a Leica R lens.

vintagesnaps · Nov 23, 2013

Supposedly the electronics weren't so great in these, which were apparently Leica's getting into the SLR market for a time and are nothing compared to their rangefinders. However, if it's still working at this point, it might be a good one. Depends on if it's from the first year of manufacture, those were reportedly the most problematic; you'd need to check out the serial number.

I have a Leicaflex and no lens (thrift store find) so at the next camera swap I might look for a lens, so I might be interested in this if it's still in good working order when you get it back. Of course I could get to the camera swap and be distracted by lots of other shiny objects...

webestang64 · Nov 23, 2013

The body's were made by Minolta and the shutter made by somebody else, can't remember the name, during a joint venture the 2 companies had back in day. The only good thing about it were the lenses. I got one from a friend in the early 90's. I used it for about 6 months and had many problems with it. My friend told me to sell it and we split the money.