Hi, In my search for a small alternative with a good lens I came across a Leica CL (the M-series is a bit outside of what I want to invest right now). Is this an easy camera for a beginer user? I know its got a built in meter. How does its quality compare with other Leicas? What's a good lens to look for? Any opinions are greatly appreciated!

-- Adnan Abbas (adnan1976@hotmail.com), December 19, 2001

Answers

Having used a CL for about 5 years I give it a hearty thumbs up - with one caveat. Be sure the meter is working properly. The CL was a well built camera (not as robust as an M, but easily equivelant to cameras such as the Nikon FE/FM), but had problems with the swinging beter cell, which from my understanding is not easily or cheaply repaired. On the other hand, if after all these years the meter is working properly you're probably okay as any problems would have been fixed years ago. In my opinion the 40mm Summicron that came with the lens was easily equal to the 35 or 50 Summicrons of that era for the M series. The 90mm (I had the Rokkor), though only an F4 was no slouch either. In all I really liked the little CL and at a reasonable price would definitely recommend it..

-- Bob Todrick (bobtodrick@yahoo.com), December 19, 2001.

Two words: meter problems. I couldn't find a CL with a propper working meter now matter how hard I tried, and I think I must have looked at 5 or 6 cameras. I really like that camera with its compact size, bright finder, and spot metering system, but its meter electronics have got to be one of the most troublesome ever put in a camera. It cost about $350 to replace the meter cell, and I think many are in need of a repair like that. If the needle seems to jumnp around alot even when you haven't changed the area you are metering, I'd suspect its on its way out. The 40 Summicron/ Rokkor is a gem.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), December 19, 2001.

Great camera. I love mine.

Horrible meter. But I use a handheld meter most of the time anyway. The 45/90 combo plus a Voigtlander wide lens makes a nice travel combo.

-- Josh Root (rootj@att.net), December 19, 2001.

Does the new clip-on VC-lightmeter fit into the hotshoe of the CL?

Could somebody here having both items by any chance try this out? Those with faulty CL-lightmeters would find a relatively inexpensive solution to the metering problem. And the meter could also be used on another older LEICA M.

Best wishes

-- K. G. Wolf (k.g.wolf@web.de), December 19, 2001.

I don't see why it wouldn't fit in. the hot shoes is a standard size. Though I have to admit that I've never tried it.

-- Josh Root (rootj@att.net), December 19, 2001.

My god, this answer was posted quicker than my question, Josh;

thanks for your answer.

Best wishes

-- K. G. Wolf (k.g.wolf@web.de), December 19, 2001.

I had a CL and recommend it, but I have recently taken the plunge (again after having an M3 in the 80s) and got an M6TTL. The CL is good and in many ways it is the perfect small camera but, as people say, the meter is often bad. You can get them repaired by Leica but it costs a lot. This meant that all in all I could have almost have got an M6 for the same price. After my cell was repaired it worked fine -certainly as good as the M6 in my experience. It is a good deal less robust than a classic M - I found my r/f being often in need of adjustment presumably due to vibration. Also due to the small r/f base it is difficult to use a 90mm and get good reliable focus although the framing is fine. I used the current 90mm Elmarit and this was not a good match. I think you would do better with the original 90mm Elmar-C. The camming on this lens and the focus throw will help you to get focus more easily. I found it was great with the 40mm and I do miss the 40mm focal length a good bit. It is marvellously small which is its real plus. A real negative was that I personally loathed the hanging strap that means it hangs vertically. A small thing but it became a real pain. Everytime I brought the camera up to the eye the strap was always in the way over the eyepiece - infuriating. Nor could I hang the camera over my shoulder. The 2 lug M5s have the same problem.

So I think it is great introduction to the M system, but be careful otherwise you can end up paying as much as an M6 to get one that works to spec. On balance I probably should have just waited and got an M6, but it reintroduced me to the delights of the M-system after a 15 year absence. It has a great viewfinder and the 40mm focal length is a joy.

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), December 19, 2001.