Hi, I just received a very nice condition used Minolta CLE, 40mm Rokkor, and CLE flash from a dealer and have 3 weeks to change my mind and return it, should I care to. I was hoping any experienced CLE owners could let me know what problems to look out for, or what common problems might be present, but not apparent. I am not familiar with rangefinders in general, or the CLE in particular, aside from what I've read on Cameraquest or found it the archives of Photo.net. On the surface the camera seems in great condition, and I plan on burning some film tonight to see results ASAP.

-- Randy Jackson (randy.jackson@mayads.com), May 13, 2002

Answers

cle's are prone to light seal deterioration, carry your cle outside, out of a case and with the lens toward your body. get your film back fast.

good news: it's only a $40 fix.

the led's sometime jump around sometime.

-- steve (leitz_not_leica@hotmail.com), May 13, 2002.

Jumpy LEDs are usually caused by dirty contacts at the base of the shutter speed dial, which requires some disassembly and cleaning to fix. I've had no other problems with mine. RF alignment doesn't seem to be a problem.

-- Joe Brugger (jbrugger@pcez.com), May 13, 2002.

Be aware that the flash will not fire if the f stop you picked leads the electronics to pick a shutter speed greater than 1/60 second. Check the rangefinder by finding a distant object (mile or so away) and make sure the double image lines up with the lens focused on infinity. Turn the camera on and off a few times to make sure the switch works well. Does it have new batteries in it now? If not, I'd replace them as soon as you decide to keep it. Once you see the images, you'll want to keep it. Don't hesitate to use the lens at f2.0--very high quality optics even wide open.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), May 13, 2002.

Congratulations, Randy, you got yourself a hell of a combo there. The Rokkor 40 mm is in Leica league and the CLE is a gem. Loaded with B&W it's the camera I take with me daily as casually as my car keys, shopping or doing groceries. So far I haven't had any problem with my CLE, which I bought on eBay a few months ago. What I can say is: be very careful if you plan to use Leica lenses on the CLE. The compatibility is far from being as universal as touted. For example, my 50 mm Summicron won't fit in. At all. My 35 mm Summicron will, but I cannot focus to infinity. My 28 mm Elmarit fits, but it's scary to turn it in it's so tight. The Voigtländer 25 mm, 50 mm Nokton and 90 mm fit very well, on both the Leica and the CLE (with M mount adaptor, obviously.) Enjoy.

-- Olivier (olreiche@videotron.ca), May 13, 2002.

Steve's advice is well founded. One of my CLE's was just put in in the last few days to have the light sealing sponge replaced. I only noticed it when I put a 400ASA film in it and was out in the bright sun all day. I normally shoot slower films with rangefinders but that was the only film i had so thats why I used it and discovered the problem. But its an easy fix. CLE's are prone to backlighting meter errors so make liberal use of the exposure compensation. Shutters do have a belt that wears out which results in the second blind being faster or slower than the first. This belt is easily replaced when needed too, previous cost for that was (converted) approx $40US. Dont let people open the camera who dont know how too!! Long story but for CLE owners you will know what I mean. Its scarey leaving you camera with a repairman who doesnt even know how to open the back! Take care with your CLE in dusty conditions its not sealed well and dust makes it way to the finder. (I live in Australia so this is an issue)Also remember the battery cover does NOT remove all the way, its stays attached to the camera at all times. When selling CLE's new in the 80's a couple where returned from users forcing the cover right off and breaking it. On/Off/Selftimer switch cant be a bit fiddly so be sure always to move it to the left before moving it up or down. Good luck and im sure you will enjoy it emensely.

-- Joel Matherson (joel_2000@hotmail.com), May 13, 2002.

HI Randy,

You had a lot of advice before me and this post is slightly off topic, however, I got the first pix I made with a CL (built before the CLE). Although the lens is single coated while yours is multi coated, the results with slides are astonishing both in colors and in exposures.

These cameras made in '75 are somehow fragile compared with the actual production. However, if the previous owner was careful (My CL came with box and documents, really Mint Condition) the camera will serve you right.

Cheers. X.

-- Xavier d'Alfort (hot_billexf@hotmail.com), May 14, 2002.