Used Leica CL worth it in 2025

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I’ve been searching for a small camera for street, travel etc I’d been looking at the OM-3 with the 12-40 f2.8 pro lens but on a whim called into my local Leica store…

Loads were clearly out of my budget however they had a used Leica CL with a zoom lens. Got a 24mp APSC sensor and really nicely built but several years old…

Is it worth it in 2025? I’m also considering cost of future lenses etc, which would be significantly cheaper for the OM! But it’s a really nice little camera…
 
A good camera will always be worth it.
I have 2 x Fuji X-Pro 2's which came out around the same time as the CL I believe and I love them, they'll probably see me out.
You mention your budget limits and anything Leica (lenses, repairs etc) will be costly, are you prepared for that?
I loved my Leica Q's but now I don't worry about repair costs or going out in bad weather (the CL is neither rain or dust safe).
Needs careful thought if budget is important. :)
 
I have the CL - I managed to get a used Paul Smith edition (in memory of my dad, same first and last name) which I’ll always keep. It’s a great little thing.
 
I do need to get some more glass and actually “use” it but it’s one of those things I don’t mind just having and sitting there you know
 
Just googled this and Wowza, over £1,000 for a used APS-C? There must be more options in this price range.
 
I would highly recommend a Sony A6700 with a Sigma 18-50mm for a compact apsc system, a ton of lenses available and best af in class.
 
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If you have the money and the desire, a Leica may be for you.

Otherwise, Leica's best friend in all the world (AKA Panasonic) has equipment that appears to do everything the Leicas do (and occasionally more) for a lot less money. Other alternatives are also available.
 
gramps said:
A good camera will always be worth it.
I have 2 x Fuji X-Pro 2's which came out around the same time as the CL I believe and I love them, they'll probably see me out.
You mention your budget limits and anything Leica (lenses, repairs etc) will be costly, are you prepared for that?
I loved my Leica Q's but now I don't worry about repair costs or going out in bad weather (the CL is neither rain or dust safe).
Needs careful thought if budget is important. :)
Click to expand...
Careful thought is just what I’m giving it and yes I have considered repairs, accessories, lenses etc. I’m trying to be as objective as possible about it… but it is really nice! I’m in such a quandary as I’ve considered the OM3 XT50 and R8 and now a Leica. They all have pros and cons in terms of what I like and don’t like, I’ve just not found my perfect camera and I don’t think it exists so I will have to compromise somewhere and be sensible and stick to my budget!
 
stickytape said:
I have the CL - I managed to get a used Paul Smith edition (in memory of my dad, same first and last name) which I’ll always keep. It’s a great little thing.
Click to expand...
I’m so glad I didn’t see that or I might have been suckered in straight away!
 
After a bit more thought and research, while I love the Leica CL I don’t think it’s the camera for me .

Given that it’s used, a few years old, and I’ve read no longer supported by Leica (thinking firmware, repairs etc) and the cost of the lenses, I’ve decided to continue my search!

Thanks all for the input- I was so close to buying it!!!
 
The CL is great - I loved mine. But I think a Ricoh GR3 would be more suitable for you. Properly pocketable and amazingly capable. Get a used one, prices will be dropping now the new GR4 is out.
 
I have a Leica CL which was bought second hand, but was as close to new as I ever dared to hope, a joy to hold and use. It's still worth what I paid for it as these cameras have probably reached the bottom of the depreciation curve and may actually start to gently rise in value. So whilst they are expensive to buy, they will never depreciate in the same way as constantly downwards my Lumix GH3 or Canon 5D2 have done, those latter cameras would be hard pushed to go past £200 now and so are not worth selling for me, I rather still use them now and again. So long term ownership of my CL is likely to actually work out less expensive than might be expected, excepting unexpected repair bills. The camera is L mount and I have added Sigma F1.4 lenses to the 18-56mm Leica lens. I love Leica results, others might not.
Taking into account the depreciation curve has changed the way I buy cameras. I would not buy a new Fuji XT5 but was delighted to pick up an as new XT1 with barely 20 shots taken for relative peanuts (£350). Similarly, an Olympus E-PL5 arrived with little use (£100). I take these cameras to places where I would not want to take a Leica, like Belize City, Beirut or Wrexham. Apologies to Wrexham fans.
 
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