Leica CL and Zeiss 21mm

[film_man]

Hello all! I'm thinking of getting a Leica CL as a backup to my M4 and to have loaded with a different film. Obviously another M would be better but the CL can be had relatively cheaply and I don't want to spend that much right now.

My only concern about the CL is if the meter arm will hit the rear of my Zeiss 21/4.5. I don't really care about the meter working or not, just if the arm will hit the rear element. Has anyone tried that combo? Also, is it a case of the arm hitting the rear element or just hitting the case as it swings down? If the latter then I don't think it matters much. Anyway, thanks for any advice!

 

[M. Axel Wikstrom]

I would try to figure out if there's room for both the lens and meter arm in the CL. I wouldn't want a meter arm banging around anywhere near the rear element of that nice lens. It might not be a problem if you can figure out how deep the meter arm is vs. the depth of the lens when mounted (focused at infinity). You have the lens, maybe ask the seller of the CL if they can measure the depth of the meter arm for you?

 

[craigclu]

I'm getting 5/8" from the body flange to the meter cell.... (just).

 

[StepheKoontz]

I don't believe those work together. The book I has says the early 28mm elmarit and all 21mm are incompatible and will damage either the rear element or the metering arm. I don't know if someone could remove the metering arm and if the camera would still work?

 

[darkosaric]

I have sold my M1 and got CL as a backup body. But after some time I think it is not so ergonomic as M body, not so enjoyable to use.
Yes, it is smaller, but consider M1 as a backup body (little more expansive than CL, but not much), there is no rangefinder, but with 21 mm you don't need one anyhow, and all lenses fit.

 

[antmar]

I have a Leica CL that I bought as a spare more compact body to my M6 and that I modified later by removing the light-meter arm so I can use my Super-Angulon 21/3.4 and my Jupiter 12 35/2.8 lenses.
I love these two lenses and I can't find a use to a Leica camera that they don't fit.
Anyway my camera meter (as in most CLs) was aged and acting a little erratic and wasn't very reliable in low light conditions where I need it most. I had the camera professionally modified by a very good local repairman, despite his first refusal as he was afraid of destroying the camera. But finally the operation was fully successful and CL turned to a camera that I really loved after that.
Some days later, Nasos a very good friend of mine did the same modification to his CL (I am the one he writes in the story that he took the idea) but he took it a step ahead as he did the operation by himself. Of course this is a risky attempt and may destroy the camera.
My friend describes the way he did it in the following article:

https://pnasium.wordpress.com/2016/04/10/leica-cl-personal-mods/

Important, if you decide to buy a Leica CL body for modification try to find one with a non working meter which will cost you less and you will not damage a working one.

Please let me add that almost four years after the modification and a lot of films both cameras are working perfectly.

I agree that a Leica M body feels better in your hands but with a wide angle lens CL is more than fun.
You can see my CL + Super-Angulon in the following image.

 

[film_man]

Thanks all for all the comments. Looks like it is not straightfoward and I don't want to go into the whole mod business so I guess I should just save some money and get another M! Thanks for all the advice everyone.

 

[antmar]

A Leica M is a better choice if you can afford it.

 

[M. Axel Wikstrom]

If you're lucky M's can be found at good prices. I just picked up an M2 for $250 - shutter inconsistent and overall stiff due to old lube, but little used. It's on the way to be serviced.