Leica CL

[Horatio]

Any good? I’m assuming it takes M-mount lenses.

 

[summicron1]

Oh yes. It takes almost all M-mount lenses, although it only has bright lines for the 40, 50 and 90. I find it particularly useful with the ultra-wide angle lenses, 15 and 25 from voigtlander. Rangefinder base isn't as wide as an M so you lose some accuracy there, but not much. I've never had trouble.

They're starting to show their age -- the meters apparently are a weak spot although the meters on the two I own both work just fine and are very accurate. The camera is not as bullet-proof as an M but is very sturdy and I use one for my standard travel camera.

The only lenses it can't take are the earlier 21s -- they go too far back and interfere with the meter.

The prongs on the take-up spool were another weak spot -- early ones got brittle and broke but you can assume any camera you find now either has them replaced or they've held up.

Great compact camera. .

 

[StepheKoontz]

I enjoy shooting with mine. I have the two minolta M mount lenses designed for these, a 40mm f2 and a 90mm f4. Both are really good and makes a nice kit. Sometimes carry a 21mm voight when I am feeling like shooting wide with it.

 

[ColdEye]

I love mine. Paired it up with a voigtlander 25mm. Of course meter is dead, but it doesn't bother me. Get the 40/2 if you can, I like it better than the voigtlander 40/1.4.

 

[Horatio]

Thanks for the comments. Auction prices are all over the place, from a low of just under $400 to well over $1k, but I suspect it's probably the lowest threshold, price-wise, for M-series goodies.

I see there’s a Leitz Minolta CL as well, which appears to be the same camera. Any meaningful difference between the two?

 

[StepheKoontz]

Thanks for the comments. Auction prices are all over the place, from a low of just under $400 to well over $1k, but I suspect it's probably the lowest threshold, price-wise, for M-series goodies.

I see there’s a Leitz Minolta CL as well, which appears to be the same camera. Any meaningful difference between the two?

None whatsoever other than the name badge.

 

[John Koehrer]

Minolta made them both.

There were some rumors that the Leitz lenses wouldn't focus properly on the Minolta
but trying the same lens on both cameras didn't show any difference other than a slight difference in view.

35mm lens and cameras 40mm viewfinder

 

[Horatio]

Thought I’d post an update. I won a CL at auction today and joined the Leica club! Meter is dead and it’s a beater, but perhaps that will discourage theft! At least I won’t have to worry about protecting the finish. Lol. Now to source a lens. I may start with a Jupiter or Helios.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Leica CL is rangefinder. This forum have dedicated sub-forum for it.
CL is meant for 40mm lens. Cosina has 40 1.4 under Viogtlander label. Those are not overpriced.

 

[craigclu]

I have and use a CL.... One little quirk not mentioned is that larger lenses (diameter) with hoods can interfere with the shorter RF CL window spacing, not allowing focusing to be seen. I've got a couple of Voigtländer 40's (ƒ1.4 classic and ƒ1.2 ASPH) and they both work on the CL but not with their normal, original lens hoods. Simple, straight-walled hoods that don't protrude so widely will work with them so it's an easy workaround. I thought something was amiss with the RF initially until it dawned on me what was happening.

 

[Horatio]

Leica CL is rangefinder. This forum have dedicated sub-forum for it.
CL is meant for 40mm lens. Cosina has 40 1.4 under Viogtlander label. Those are not overpriced.

Thanks. Didn’t want to start a new thread until I’ve used it. The Voigtlanders seem to be a good value, but I need to begin with a decent inexpensive lens. I’ve seen images at RFF made with the Jupiter and they seem acceptable, at least for entry into Leicaland.

I have and use a CL.... One little quirk not mentioned is that larger lenses (diameter) with hoods can interfere with the shorter RF CL window spacing, not allowing focusing to be seen. I've got a couple of Voigtländer 40's (ƒ1.4 classic and ƒ1.2 ASPH) and they both work on the CL but not with their normal, original lens hoods. Simple, straight-walled hoods that don't protrude so widely will work with them so it's an easy workaround. I thought something was amiss with the RF initially until it dawned on me what was happening.

Thanks. I’ve read that hoods can cause issues with the finder. I’ll keep this in mind.

 

[Horatio]

I was thinking about getting an adapter to use my Pentax K-mount lenses, but I’m not sure the rangefinder would be coupled. Anyone tried this?

 

[darkosaric]

I had 2 of those, sold both of them. Somehow I never get used to it, classic M3, or M1 / MD if costs are an issue are better choice for me. Good thing about used Leica gear is that you can always sell them for same, or profit. So best is to go for it, and see do you like it .

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Thanks. Didn’t want to start a new thread until I’ve used it. The Voigtlanders seem to be a good value, but I need to begin with a decent inexpensive lens. I’ve seen images at RFF made with the Jupiter and they seem acceptable, at least for entry into Leicaland.



Thanks. I’ve read that hoods can cause issues with the finder. I’ll keep this in mind.

You can't focus Helios on M without costly RF adapter. And Jupiters to be sharp on M needs shimming. Are you handy?

 

[darkosaric]

I was thinking about getting an adapter to use my Pentax K-mount lenses, but I’m not sure the rangefinder would be coupled. Anyone tried this?

It will not be coupled. I used some M42 lenses on Leica bodies, it works ok, but the main advance for Leica is to use small lenses, so that whole setup is small, especially for CL.

 

[Horatio]

It will not be coupled. I used some M42 lenses on Leica bodies, it works ok, but the main advance for Leica is to use small lenses, so that whole setup is small, especially for CL.

That’s what I thought, thanks for confirmation.

 

[StepheKoontz]

I HIGHLY recommend saving up a bit and getting the minolta/leica 40mm f2 designed for this camera. If you like the camera, then look for the matching 90mm f4. It's said other Leica lenses don't focus accurately and I know the russian LTM optics don't work well without shimming as someone noted. The wider than 40mm should work fine as long as they don't hit the meter arm.

 

[Horatio]

You can't focus Helios on M without costly RF adapter. And Jupiters to be sharp on M needs shimming. Are you handy?

Yes. Would thin aluminum work?

 

[Horatio]

I HIGHLY recommend saving up a bit and getting the minolta/leica 40mm f2 designed for this camera. If you like the camera, then look for the matching 90mm f4. It's said other Leica lenses don't focus accurately and I know the russian LTM optics don't work well without shimming as someone noted. The wider than 40mm should work fine as long as they don't hit the meter arm.

Thanks. I may do just that. I’m just leery of buying anything from Japan right now due to shipping delays, etc.

 

[ColdEye]

As long as they ship fedex, DHL, or ups it's fast. I bought a few items from Japan recently and the longest one took about 7 working days.

 

[Nitroplait]

Entering the world of Leica, you probably won't be satisfied until you've had a Leica branded lens. With that said, the Voigtlander 40/1.4 is a bargain and an excellent lens.

 

[Horatio]

Entering the world of Leica, you probably won't be satisfied until you've had a Leica branded lens. With that said, the Voigtlander 40/1.4 is a bargain and an excellent lens.

Good to hear. I’ve actually looked at a couple of listings for this lens. They are less expensive than the Rokkors. There are several Rokkor 40mm lenses on auction, but every one under $700 has oil on the aperture blades. Weren’t the Rokkors made by Leica? Anyway, I think a newer lens would be better for my needs. I’m in no real hurry at this point.

Edit: Overall positive reviews of the Nokton 40/1.4 at rangefinder forums, except for comments about the bokeh at wide open. It's not clear whether the cons were related to film, digital or both. But overall it seems like a really nice lens.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Yes. Would thin aluminum work?

I just use paper, shims are not moving parts.

 

[Horatio]

I can definitely do paper.

 

[StepheKoontz]

Honestly oil or "oil stain" on the blades has zero impact on a rangefinder lens. Plus I'd rather buy a $3-400 lens and have it CLA'd than pay 2X that for a clean one, that still might need a CLA. I saw several of the rokkors for sale in the $400-450 range I would buy if I was looking, just avoid coating damage etc. Also the 40mm Cron and rokkor are the EXACT same lens.