Minolta CLE lenses on a Leica CL

[StepheKoontz]

I bought a Minolta CLE 40mm f2 and a 90mm f4 years ago to use on a Sony A7 (40.5 in the lens face, serial number on the body). A few years ago I got back into shooting film and especially rangefinder 35mm cameras. I picked up a Leica CL to use these on and found the rangefinder is slightly off at infinity (and elsewhere) And am curious if instead of these being CL lenses, they are the later CLE versions, could be a problem?

I had both of these lenses CLA'd back when I got them so am not interested in just replacing them with CL versions. One article I read said the CLE is designed more like a regular M as far as the focusing cam system. I suppose I could calibrated the camera to these two lenses and just not worry about it, as I understand these aren't super accurate focusing cameras anyway.

As a side note, does anyone have a link to a video or a site about adjusting the rangefinder on one of these?

 

[craigclu]

Crickets..... I was hoping someone with some insight would respond on this.

 

[StepheKoontz]

I will say, as I posted in another thread, that I adjusted the rangefinder on my CL and now both the 40 and the 90 CLE lenses focus correctly. I have no clue though if it was simply the rangefinder on this used camera was off or if using CLE lenses on a CL was the culprit. At this point it's working right so I'm good

 

[John Koehrer]

I think(!) they would work interchangeably with any M camera. On the interweb there was talk
about the Konica RF lenses not working on Leicas but playing with the two brands, other than
a slight difference in rendering color* none of the Leica users I knew could see a difference.

*Using Ektachrome on a light box side by side comparisons.

 

[McFortner]

Most of the "Use only Leica M lenses on a M" is Leica FUD to boost sales of their lenses. The CL and CLE lenses will work just fine on a M with no adjustments.

 

[Pentode]

I have no clue though if it was simply the rangefinder on this used camera was off....

If I were a betting man....
M-mount lenses should be pretty darned interchangeable. I guess the test would be to try the camera with any other M-mount lens and see if the focus is correct. Any other Leica shooters in your neck of the woods?

 

[John Koehrer]

Or check the specifications for both brands for the flange/focus dimension. Somehow I suspect they'll be the same. If I remember correctly the lenses made for the CL, CLE have a steeper focusing cam so it might be a little more touchy
to align. Especially if your hands shake like mine.

 

[Mark Layne]

I bought a Minolta CLE 40mm f2 and a 90mm f4 years ago to use on a Sony A7 (40.5 in the lens face, serial number on the body). A few years ago I got back into shooting film and especially rangefinder 35mm cameras. I picked up a Leica CL to use these on and found the rangefinder is slightly off at infinity (and elsewhere) And am curious if instead of these being CL lenses, they are the later CLE versions, could be a problem?

I had both of these lenses CLA'd back when I got them so am not interested in just replacing them with CL versions. One article I read said the CLE is designed more like a regular M as far as the focusing cam system. I suppose I could calibrated the camera to these two lenses and just not worry about it, as I understand these aren't super accurate focusing cameras anyway.

As a side note, does anyone have a link to a video or a site about adjusting the rangefinder on one of these?

I bought a Minolta CLE 40mm f2 and a 90mm f4 years ago to use on a Sony A7 (40.5 in the lens face, serial number on the body). A few years ago I got back into shooting film and especially rangefinder 35mm cameras. I picked up a Leica CL to use these on and found the rangefinder is slightly off at infinity (and elsewhere) And am curious if instead of these being CL lenses, they are the later CLE versions, could be a problem?

I had both of these lenses CLA'd back when I got them so am not interested in just replacing them with CL versions. One article I read said the CLE is designed more like a regular M as far as the focusing cam system. I suppose I could calibrated the camera to these two lenses and just not worry about it, as I understand these aren't super accurate focusing cameras anyway.

As a side note, does anyone have a link to a video or a site about adjusting the rangefinder on one of these?

The camera is the issue at infinity- not the lens

 

[MarkS]

The issue, as I recall, was that longer/faster M lenses would not focus properly on the CL/CLE- their RF base length was too short for accuracy close up with 135mm and fast 90mm lenses. I had a 90/2 Summicron (original type) and it was a real howitzer; I couldn't see it fitting comfortably on a CL- there may have been VF blockage issues too. I've never heard of Minolta CLE lenses not working on a CL- although with that camera the lens has to clear the meter swing-arm....