Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1996/12/03
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 03:15 PM 12/2/96 -0800, PatrickI've use wrote: > >Now I have a question. I've pretty much settled on buying either a >Leica IIIf or a Canon VI-T body. The Canon is a bit cheaper than the >Leica, and sounds like it's probably in slightly better cosmetic >condition ( It has a Leicavit-type fast >winding baseplate and frame lines in the viewfinder. > >However, I'm worried about the repairability of the Canon. When I buy >mechanical things, I like to keep them for a long time, and while I >know there are lots of IIIf's around and lots of parts for them, I >don't think there are so many Canon VI-T's around. > I've used both Leica & Canon over a 40 year period. Canon thread mount cameras, since the IVs-2, have been remarkable sturdy and reliable. The quality is IMHO absolutely up to Leica standards. As far as repairability - no practical chance to get parts. But why should you need them? The front-silvered mirror for the rangefinder is probably the only danger point. Shutter curtains can easily be replaced with Leitz parts. A CLA can be done by any competant Leica repairman. The IIIf, especially a clean red dial version is a jewel to handle and use, but the pictures will be just as good from the Canon. Bob Sperling