I want to buy a "A" grade Minolta CLE with 28/40/90 mm, hoods etc. To start a small rangefinder system, later a M6 + leica glass,will follow but after consulting this site I decided to start with a CLE. If Nikor AFD 20 f2,8 / AFD micro 105 2,8 and PK13 tube in A+ condition can go as partial payment this would be exellent (If not this is OK too) I'm located in Denmark.

-- Kaj Froling (kf@draupnir.dk), November 29, 2000

Answers

Don't.

-- Bill Mitchell (bmitch@home.com), November 29, 2000.

I wouldn't do it either. I used a CL for 12 years before purchasing an M6 a few months ago, and the ease of focusing the M6 due to the longer rangefinder base is head and shoulders above the CL. So much so that I now find the CL an inconvenience to use. On the other hand if you've never used an M you probably won't be dissatisified with the CLE.

-- John Galloway (jgall30125@aol.com), November 29, 2000.

The CLE has a much better viewfinder than the CL, and a wider base as well. It is one of the best cameras I have ever owned. Small, light weight, with an acuurate meter, and great flash exposures when needed. I have sung the praises of the 40mm Rokkor previously as one of the sharpest lenses I have ever used. Yes, it would have been better if it had a metered manual or at least a convenient AE lock, and if the collector market hadn't pushed the prices 3 or 4 hundred dollars more than they should be. It would be one of the last cameras I would ever sell if I was thinning out my equipment.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), November 29, 2000.

Hello Bill & John

Why?

I got the impression that the CLE combo is a very small & lightweight system, and even consider the age still fine - are there any major problems with the CLE?

I will later add a M6 (0,72/0,85)with a 90 mm (either 2,8 new or APO 2.0) and use the CLE as backup/wideangle and to bring when photographing is not the main target - am I wrong here?

I have not used the M6 (or any other Leica) but i have a X-Pan (wich is very nice too!)so I'm quite famililar with rangefinders, but I want to have a basic camera (NO autofocus, NO winder, LOW noice)

If this improve my chances I can throw in a Hexar titanium (with silent mode, flash, leather bouch A++) in together/instead with the Nikkors

Kaj

-- Kaj Froling (kf@draupnir.dk), November 30, 2000.

Perhaps I was too brief. If I could have but one of the two cameras I would chose the M. I have both, and I would not sell the CL. I used both on a Texas trip last weekend. Color and B&W. I have not used a CLE so my comments about the rangefinder base of the CL may not be applicable.

-- John Galloway (jgall30125@aol.com), November 30, 2000.

Kaj

By all accounts the CLE is a great camera, but the you need to be aware that, in comparison to other Leica-M cameras (including the CL), it is no longer supported by Minolta and spare parts can be very difficult to come by. There are quite a number here in NYC photo shops needing parts that cannot be repaired easily. The only other irritation on the CLE is that it has no exposure lock on auto, which I for one would find annoying, but otherwise it is a very nice camera.

-- Robin Smith (rsmith@springer-ny.com), November 30, 2000.

One thing you should be aware of is that the 90mm f2.0 is not going to work well on the CLE--Too big (blocks viewfinder) and too fast for the base length of the rangefinder. I have had good success with the 90mm f2.8 Elmarit on the CLE. It was a way better lens than the 90mm f4.0, and seems to focus fine on the camera if you are careful.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), November 30, 2000.

Thanks for the replys.

I will try to get my hands on a CLE (Not easy in DK)to check it out. But as the prices are high I might try to get the M6 instead - are there any out there using the 40mm rokkor on a M6? I can get a good deal for a M6 0.72 (black, but I don't care)and the 40 mm rokkor. I'm still concider wich 90 mm to get (2.0 or 2.8 the price is not that different but there are the weight/the ekstra stop)

Kaj Froling, Denmark

-- Kaj Froling (kf@draupnir.dk), December 01, 2000.

I have not used a M6 so I can't comment on that, but I'm sure it will be a very satisfactory camera to use. I bought a CLE instead of a M6 because of it being smaller and less conspicuous. Price wise, it wasn't a rational decision since I would have gotten a good used M6 body for about the same price I paid for the CLE. With the recent popularity in leica screw or M mount rangefinder cameras, prices for the CLE has sky-rocketed, especially since people realize what a great little camera the CLE is. Anyway, if you're looking for a 28mm for the CLE, do consider the Konica M-Hexanon 28mm f/2.8 (made for the Konica Hexar RF but will fit the CLE). It is a fantastic lens (I use it on my CLE for architectural shots)! I bought the Konica rather than the Minolta version I read that that could be a problem with the coating on some of the Minolta 28mm lenses; see here. One last thing, the CLE I bought has the plastic knob missing on the film rewind crank. I took the camera to the local Minolta service centre with my fingers crossed, and guese what, the Minolta people had the part replaced within 30 minutes!

-- Hoyin Lee (leehoyin@hutchcity.com), December 01, 2000.