Leica C-1 35mm Camera (Silver)

by Leica

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 1.8 x 2.6 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004U0CP
• Item model number: C-1
• Batteries: 1 CR123A batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,537 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 4, 2000

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

The first thing you notice about the new Leica C1 (released January 2000) with 38-105mm aspherical zoom lens is its refreshingly sleek styling. It is a compact camera that truly looks like a Leica; its curved edges and a silver aluminum body are quite reminiscent of the classic Leica M series cameras. Of course, being a compact, it is slightly smaller than an M series camera in both width and length, and much lighter. If you are already a Leica fan, you're almost guaranteed to fall in love with the well-styled, easy-to-use Leica C1.

This fully-automatic camera offers a remarkable variety of mode selections beyond flash-on/flash-off. For example, there is a setting for bright light situations (such as a snowy field or the beach) where it is necessary to compensate for the normal exposure calculation the light meter would make. It also offers an ample automatic shutter speed range from 1/500 to 30 seconds with timed manual exposures of up to 99 seconds.

We shot a test roll with outstanding results in a wide array of lighting situations--from low light indoors using the flash, to late afternoon sun at the lake, to neon hotel signs at night (see sample photos by clicking "More Photos" above). The sophisticated zoom lens worked fast and allowed us to compose our shots quickly. The focal length of the lens can be adjusted to five different settings: 38mm, 60mm, 75mm, 90mm, and 105mm.

Most of the exposures on our test roll of slides were right on the money with the C1. The exposure meter averages light from the entire picture frame but gives higher consideration to the light inside the autofocus frame. There is also a feature that allows you to lock the focus and exposure settings on a subject, even if that subject is not in the center of the photo.

The flash will automatically go off in low-light situations unless you change to a mode that turns it off. We forgot to change this for a couple of our shots and this was the only time the exposure didn't work out the way we wanted it to, but of course you could chalk that up to user error. The C1 felt so much like an M6 (our usual camera) in our hands that we actually found ourselves wishing it weighed more (to make it easier to hold the camera steady)--but again, this was something that should improve with greater familiarity. One thing that might improve ease of use would be a shutter-release button that stood up slightly above the surface of the camera to make it easier to find the button when looking through the viewfinder. But this is a minor complaint. Overall, we would recommend this camera very highly, with no reservations.

About Leica
Seventy-five years ago, the first Leica camera was introduced to the public at the 1925 Leipzig Spring Fair. At the time, it was by far the most innovative 35mm camera ever produced (as well as one of the very first). Since then, no camera in the world has been more widely acclaimed for continuously meeting the highest standards of excellence in both optical precision and design quality. Notably, many internationally-acclaimed photographers such as Henri Cartier-Bresson and Sebastião Salgado have used Leica cameras throughout their careers. We think you'll find that Leica compact cameras maintain the same integrity as the M and R models used by the pros, but at more affordable prices. The lenses in all Leica 35mm cameras are still designed by the Leica optical department in Solms, Germany. Every compact camera is also tested for quality in Germany before being released. When you choose Leica, you are buying into one of the great traditions in the history of photography. --Walt Opie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

80 of 85 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not what you would expect from Leica..., November 24, 2000

By 

Matt Jachyra (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Leica C-1 35mm Camera (Silver) (Electronics)

Working in the photo industry both as a vivid photographer and a salesperson I've use Leica equipment many times. The sturdiness, quality and reliability were always a reason for me to purchase Leica product. Not this time. Slamming you brand name on the average camera to drive the price up is not a right thing to do... It's cheaply made and takes average quality pictures... From the outside it look and feels great but inside you can see right away that Leica engineers were trying to save on finishing costs. Lens is not what you expect and my old Ricoh takes better images... If you are planning to purchase this item do you self a favor and buy their Minilux Zoom model or if price is a factor buy Olympus LTZoom 105. In my opinion Leica just tries to fill the market with their name not with the quality products... It's a nice looking camera not worth your buck.

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars OK, But Not Great, January 7, 2001

By 

Tom Jackson (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leica C-1 35mm Camera (Silver) (Electronics)

The Leica C1 is a good looking camera that fits well in the hand. But when compared to other, less expensive point and shoot cameras, there is really nothing to justify the extra cost.

The automatic exposure works well with print film but is not accurate enough to handle slides. The lens is sharp, but certainly not better than other mid-range P&S cameras.

There is no diopter adjustment, no manual overrides other than flash and a fixed +2EV setting. The "step" zoom takes some getting used to but turns out to be faster to use than a standard zoom. The camera is not weather resistent, the manual makes it clear that this is strictly a "dry always" camera.

In summary, the C1 looks nice, works well, but offers nothing new or improved over other, cheaper, point-and-shoot models.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Its a great camera, February 16, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Leica C-1 35mm Camera (Silver) (Electronics)

From it aluminum body to it vario-elmar lense. I've taken several pictures and they all came out absolutely incredible, the details and contrast are picture perfect. The camera is a little big to fit in a pocket, but it is very solid feeling, and user friendly, zoom works flawlessly.