Minolta CLE - Film door won't open

[Don_ih]

It's an unused camera and could probably benefit from a service, anyway. Send it to someone to get a once-over and leave opening the door to him/her. Otherwise, return it.

 

[Yashica]

Well, i do let a specialist look over it. Into the meantime, i got a black Contax T.

 

[brbo]

Well, i do let a specialist look over it. Into the meantime, i got a black Contax T.

I think it's the right decision.

Also, Contax T is great. It would be my perfect camera if it focused down to 0.6-0.7m, but that 1m limit does bug me sometimes. Not enough to play the Contax T2 roulette, obviously...

 

[Yashica]

The T2 / T3 is AF, uber expensive, i do love rangefinders. Already own the silver one. Sadly, the black one with box (i don't have PayPal) was being sold for 55% the asking price,
i am paying now...2 months ago, but what gives, Xmas is coming soon, this is my very own christmas gift. Always wanted the black Contax T, at least since 87, that rangefinder was released in 84. No problem with 1m distance limit. Leica's into contrast usually have 0.7m. Besides photography & cycling, good music...nothing makes me happy, and there's nothing else to life for...one must have a hobby.

 

[heirofthemist]

Hi OP,

Not sure if you fixed this issue but I own the CLE and had the exact same problem as you.

You need to do this:

1. Press the rewind button
2. Pull out the rewind lever all the way
3. IMPORTANT: Pull it out a second time by about 1-2mm (you will feel more resistance) and rewind in the direction of the arrow, the door will pop open almost immediately.

I know you tried points 1-2 but 3 I figured out after many days of frustration. It’s a very frustrating design but the CLE is a joy to use.

Hope this helps!

The T2 / T3 is AF, uber expensive, i do love rangefinders. Already own the silver one. Sadly, the black one with box (i don't have PayPal) was being sold for 55% the asking price,
i am paying now...2 months ago, but what gives, Xmas is coming soon, this is my very own christmas gift. Always wanted the black Contax T, at least since 87, that rangefinder was released in 84. No problem with 1m distance limit. Leica's into contrast usually have 0.7m. Besides photography & cycling, good music...nothing makes me happy, and there's nothing else to life for...one must have a hobby.

 

[Yashica]

Hi OP,

Not sure if you fixed this issue but I own the CLE and had the exact same problem as you.

You need to do this:

1. Press the rewind button
2. Pull out the rewind lever all the way
3. IMPORTANT: Pull it out a second time by about 1-2mm (you will feel more resistance) and rewind in the direction of the arrow, the door will pop open almost immediately.

I know you tried points 1-2 but 3 I figured out after many days of frustration. It’s a very frustrating design but the CLE is a joy to use.

Hope this helps!

Hmm, since i've seen a friend of mine into the 90's popping out the metal film rewind crank of my Yashica FR-I, i am way shy, to apply *any* force to the rewind crank, i've paid like 1050 EUR for this minty CLE....so you get the point. For the asking price, i could have bought myself simply a good or fine condition M2, M3 or M5, M4-2...back last fall, but i really wanted that CLE, always. Here's the catch - i could turn the rewind lever/knob to the arrow condition..but you can play this game forever, there's no resistance, there's no hard stop, and especially there's no door,
popp open...i'd say, this is the #2 most frustrating 35mm film experience bar none, ever....the other one is my silver label G1, which i simply can't update, to accept my 35/F2 Planar G....it doesn't get into service mode...and i don't have the time, the nevers, the patience...to tinker around with my G1, so i'd sell it, or smack it against the wall (kidding! and buy a green label G1...into contrast, my XD7 just works like *any* other 35mm SLR since the 80's - when i pull out the film lever, the film door just pops open..but hereby, the CLE filmdoor never pops, because i can't pull out the lever...

Well, if i am into the mood, i'd try it once again, thank you, appreciated.

 

[heirofthemist]

Hi,

I understand the frustration. What I am saying is it looks like this is the way the camera WAS designed.

You need to pull out the lever twice for it to work.

The first time there’s No resistance despite the lever being pulled out. You pull again just a tiny bit and you will feel the resistance.

I attached a video in case it helps:

Minolta CLE Rewind Knob.MOV

Shared with Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

Hmm, since i've seen a friend of mine into the 90's popping out the metal film rewind crank of my Yashica FR-I, i am way shy, to apply *any* force to the rewind crank, i've paid like 1050 EUR for this minty CLE....so you get the point. For the asking price, i could have bought myself simply a good or fine condition M2, M3 or M5, M4-2...back last fall, but i really wanted that CLE, always. Here's the catch - i could turn the rewind lever/knob to the arrow condition..but you can play this game forever, there's no resistance, there's no hard stop, and especially there's no door,
popp open...i'd say, this is the #2 most frustrating 35mm film experience bar none, ever....the other one is my silver label G1, which i simply can't update, to accept my 35/F2 Planar G....it doesn't get into service mode...and i don't have the time, the nevers, the patience...to tinker around with my G1, so i'd sell it, or smack it against the wall (kidding! and buy a green label G1...into contrast, my XD7 just works like *any* other 35mm SLR since the 80's - when i pull out the film lever, the film door just pops open..but hereby, the CLE filmdoor never pops, because i can't pull out the lever...

Well, if i am into the mood, i'd try it once again, thank you, appreciated.

 

[Yashica]

Finally it works !!!! OMG, i really pulled something harder, and the film crank spool popped up 3-4mm. Filmdoor is open - APX 100 inserted.

 

[heirofthemist]

hahaha I am glad I was helpful! Enjoy your CLE!!

 

[brbo]

Just pull on the damn lever harder.

 

[Yashica]

Yes, sometimes it does need a bit more force...i was too shy to-do that before, thought it would break up, but it doesn't. Very happy. The CLE is perfectly fine. This was my #5 try, seriously.

 

[Yashica]

hahaha I am glad I was helpful! Enjoy your CLE!!

Thanks, for all you guys, your infos.

 

[mshchem]

Analog photography is only for the brave! Congratulations! So happy that this has a happy ending

 

[mshchem]

hahaha I am glad I was helpful! Enjoy your CLE!!

Well done, the value of the forum proves itself once again!!!!!