C3 review posted for your enjoyment

[mattinasi]

> The manual had a change - mine came with a small slip of paper that corrected that. The slip of paper said that the close-up lines were eliminated in the camera design after the manual was printed. They also said that the correction was so small that it was unnecessary, and given that the close-focus is not all that close I tend to agree. I do account for a little bit of parallax when I shoot in the 1-meter range, just out of habit I think.

- marc

 

[adeeh]

Yes - I got an adendum slip in my user manual too as Marc describes. That's the only significant change - the other being the shape of the autofocus square in the viewfinder (diff from manual).
AS for the shutter release, mine is definitely flush with the surface around, although there is some tilt when actually shooting - though I've taken so many that I'd actually forgotten.

Still think it's really lovely - and I've shot over 30 films now since last December - crikey I must slow down...

Enjoy it Louis - there are plenty of tips on this site.

 

[Phil]

Well I just discovered my C3 will need to go in for repair. The front apreture that "protects" the lens does not open fully. I had my doubts about it's design. I think I'll see if they can just leave it off. And just as I was about to go on a trip... Anyone else have a similar experience?

 

[drigsbee]

I've discovered the same problem as Phil--the dust cover aperture retracts only partly, rendering the camera unusable. It only happened once to me, but the very same thing happened to a Nikon P&S camera I took to Italy some years ago (with the same lens cover design), and the failure was not only inconvenient, but permanent. My C3 has operated properly since the one "event," but it has diminished my trust in this model.

 

[humble]

Mine had the same problem when it was brand new out of the box. the fine metal leaves were jammed. But after gently freeing them it has worked perfectly ever since.

David

 

[ovi]

Nice camera, good pictures, easy to use. But, after 5 months, the rubber frame from around the viewfinder came out and now it takes a lot of time to fix it. Still waiting for the rubber and also I have to buy some adhesive... Very disappointing!

Ovi

 

[adeeh]

Yes - my rubber viewfinder frame came out after about a year of use too. Easily sorted with a drop of glue, but take your point that I would not expect this. It does tend to catch on all case when I put it in and out so maybe it's not surprising - and certainly not a problem.

Adrian

 

[kooning]

C3, I love it. Lens quality is no doubt. I like to talk about where is your C3 made. Gemany or China or elsewhere...
I have early production, the rubber base is only engraved the serial no.,no where to made, but I found the recent production, it is engraved made in china. Why would that be? Can anyone have comments about this issue.}}}

 

[mattinasi]

I checked and the C3 in my camera closet has no origin of manufacture markings. I am fairly certin that they were never made in Germany, because they would say so if they were! Made in China would not surprise me - Leica has to keep the manufacture costs down somehow, and things are cheaper to make in China than in Germany ;-)

Made in China is fine as long as they keep the quality control up and the manufacturing tolerances low.

Cheers!
- marc

 

[ovi]

The C3 is made in China, components are made in Japan and the Quality Control is done in Germany.
This is my third C3 in less than one year. The others two have been exchanged due to malfunctions.
Even so, I strongly recommend this camera: exceptional photos and nice body, coupled with 3 yrs. warranty and good customer service.

Ovi