rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Looking for input from UHH members familiar with the Minolta CLE interchangeable lens film camera circa 1980. Did you use one in the past or, perhaps, do you still use one occasionally today? I am aware the camera took M-mount lenses. What specific lenses did you use? Any major flaws in the camera design that you recall? Thank you for any pertinent comments.

Kuzano

Made by Minolta. Also made for Leica BY Minolta as the Leica Minolta CL (second camerquest page below). Minolta partnered with Leica on a few cameras, AND lenses. Minolta did the prototype and final design branded for Leica, as the Leica R. All of those Leica/Minolta collaberations were very high quality and sought after. All leica mount lenses fit.

However, as I most recently recall, the problem is service. Does the meter work?

Here is Steve Gandy's review at his site, Cameraquest.com

https://www.cameraquest.com/cle.htm

https://cameraquest.com/leicacl.htm

Here is Steve's other venture...he is the "head bartender" for Rangefinderforum.com.... One of the best and most active web sites for both rf film and digital camera's (way beyond just rangefinders):

http://rangefinderforum.com/

If you are "GEAR SERIOUS" about both vintage camera's SLR, RF, and other film, or any digital that is, or emulates rangefinder...These two sites have it all covered in spades. Steve also sells both digital and new rangefinder film cameras, and lenses.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Thanks, Kuzano. I have confirmed that the meter works correctly for the camera in question. I am familiar with Steve Gandy and CameraQuest. Purchased one lens from him previously.

asiafish Loc: Bakersfield, CA

Not quite right. The Minolta CL and Leitz CL were the same camera, made in the early 1970s as a joint venture between Leitz (Leica) and Minota. It used a similar metering system to the M5, and uses illegal mercury batteries, but can have the meter calibrated for modern batteries.

The CLE was not a joint project, but strictly Minolta, and actually is a much more advanced camera with aperture priority automation and even TTL flash metering. The electronics are similar to those of the Minolta XG-M, including its steeples shutter speeds and LED viewfinder readout for shutter speed. The CLE uses modern alkaline or silver oxide batteries, and of course is much newer and thanks to its conventional swing-open back, is much easier to load.

Both are excellent, though parts are getting hard to find.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Thanks, but still looking for people who have actually owned or used one.

asiafish Loc: Bakersfield, CA

I've used both the CL and the CLE, and currently use the M5 on which the CL was based. What do you want to know?

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Asiafish - as I stated in the original post:
What specific lenses did you use? Results with the CLE?
Any major flaws in the camera design that you recall?
Thank you for any other pertinent comments. /Ralph

par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

[quote=rjaywallace]Looking for input from UHH members familiar with the Minolta CLE interchangeable lens film camera circa 1980. Did you use one in the past or, perhaps, do you still use one occasionally today? I am aware the camera took M-mount lenses. What specific lenses did you use? Any major flaws in the camera design that you recall? Thank you for any pertinent comments.[/quote

Camera is made for a 40mm Minolta or Leica M mount lens. I'm not sure if it is meant for others.

asiafish Loc: Bakersfield, CA

No flaws other than in manual mode the meter doesn't work (if I recall).

Rangefinder has a short base length, so very hard to get accurate focus with fast lenses. It only has frame lines for 28, 40 and 90mm lenses. I used it mostly with a 28mm f/2.8 Leica Elmarit ASPH and had great results. With my 50mm and 90mm lenses I couldn't reliably get accurate focus unless I stopped down (f/2.8 at 50mm and f/4 for 90mm). The CL adds a 50mm frame line, but loses aperture priority.

Build quality is quite nice, up to usual 1980s Minolta standard (think X-700 SLR) if not a bit better, but up to the level of say the XD-11. I really liked the swing open back and having aperture priority, but overall liked the CL better for its 50mm frame line, even though the build quality of the CL isn't quite up to the CLE.

asiafish Loc: Bakersfield, CA

[quote=par4fore][quote=rjaywallace]Looking for input from UHH members familiar with the Minolta CLE interchangeable lens film camera circa 1980. Did you use one in the past or, perhaps, do you still use one occasionally today? I am aware the camera took M-mount lenses. What specific lenses did you use? Any major flaws in the camera design that you recall? Thank you for any pertinent comments.[/quote

Camera is made for a 40mm Minolta or Leica M mount lens. I'm not sure if it is meant for others.[/quote]

Works perfectly with 28mm and 90mm lenses too, but focus is iffy at 90mm faster than f/4.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Asiafish, I appreciate your input. The camera I am looking at comes with a Voigtländer 35mm f/2.5 lens. I was also thinking about using a Voigtländer 40mm f/1.4 lens I have. I envy that Leica M Monochrome - beyond my means at the moment. I have a Leica M6 (non-TTL) and like it and years ago I had an M4. Have a good holiday season.

asiafish Loc: Bakersfield, CA

You too.

The 40mm f/1.4 will show the correct frame line, but wide open accurate focus will be hit and miss. The 35mm lens will work great. If I recall, it only shows the 40mm frame line, and its not hard to estimate the framing just outside the lines.

Of course the camera was made for the 40mm f/2 Summicron or M-Rokkor (essentially the same lens, made under license in Japan). Those lenses are cheap, very small, and optically excellent. I've never used one on the CL or CLE, but I did get to play with one on the M Monochrom and it is a very superior lens. Get one if you can, probably can sell on your 40/1.4 and buy the Minolta with a bit of change left over. Other than the lack of one f-stop, the Minolta is probably a better lens. The Leica version costs a bit more, but is still VERY cheap by Leica lens standards.

Happy shooting.