Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/08/12

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Subject: RE: [Leica] "New" Russian Leica copies
From: "Frank Filippone" <red735i@earthlink.net>
Date: Sun, 12 Aug 2001 13:52:20 -0700

There are 2 guys in LA that sell the Russian Copies of LTM cameras.  I have
considered buying a camera for a Heliar 15....  so I have looked at a LOT of
their cameras.

The FINISH quality is really lousy.  Sometimes the paint is peeling,
sometimes the paint oozes over the edges:  Overall, not up to snuff.  Now
that does not mean the shutters do not work, but the attention to detail,
especially the finish that affects the users' perception of the overall
quality, is just not there......and I suspect the mechanical quality is also
lacking.  But I have no proof of this.  It is just my opinion.

The Cameras for sale by the person in Virginia, look pretty.  They could be
better.  They could be as bad.

Overall, I would propose that you look for a IIIC or IIIF BD or a CL Camera
and some lens adapters in user condition, and have Sherry tune it up, and
get a really good camera.  It will cost more, but ....

Frank Filippone
red735i@earthlink.net