Any thoughts on the CLE?: Leica Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review (2024)

Has anyone used / uses a Minolta CLE?

Please remove / flag if inappropriate since the question is *technically* not a Leica (but the CLE , if what I read is true, means Compact Leica Electronic through a collaboration between Minolta and Leica that ended after it cannibalized M camera sales).

The Leica purists will surely eat me alive, but based on what I read, it looks like AMAZING value - M mount, reliable meter, aperture priority, framelines for 28, 40, and 90.

The "red dot" tax doesn't apply as much to film bodies as the magic happens with the lens, not the body/processor.

The cons from what I can gather are :

a. Plastic construction
b. Electronic camera
c. Limited framelines

There are some quirks (that I don't see as a con but some do) like the meter not working in manual mode.

Even the Rokkor lens seem like a good value - the 40mm Leica Summicron should be the same as the Minolta version right?

From eBay prices, it seems to be around 1.2-1.3k USD for a version with either a used Summicron/Rokkor 40mm or bundled with a new Voigtlander 40mm Nokton. Also seen mint/excellent body only for about 800.

My local camera repair shop has one for sale from his personal collection for 1.5k USD with a 40mm Summicron. It has already been CLAd and looks very clean (he allowed me to play with it for some time). Meter works as well. All LCDs light up. I trust this seller as he has CLAd about 4 of my cameras and have bought 3 other cameras from him previously. Plus he offers warranty on all his work.

Tempted to jump on it as any camera I buy online gets CLAd by him anyway (which will make it comparable in price to the eBay sellers).

The way I see it, by buying this and actual Leica glass I can get the Leica image quality vs. Buying an M6/7 with a Voigtlander lens.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

doni wrote:

Has anyone used / uses a Minolta CLE?

Please remove / flag if inappropriate since the question is *technically* not a Leica (but the CLE , if what I read is true, means Compact Leica Electronic through a collaboration between Minolta and Leica that ended after it cannibalized M camera sales).

The Leica purists will surely eat me alive, but based on what I read, it looks like AMAZING value - M mount, reliable meter, aperture priority, framelines for 28, 40, and 90.

The "red dot" tax doesn't apply as much to film bodies as the magic happens with the lens, not the body/processor.

The cons from what I can gather are :

a. Plastic construction
b. Electronic camera
c. Limited framelines

There are some quirks (that I don't see as a con but some do) like the meter not working in manual mode.

Even the Rokkor lens seem like a good value - the 40mm Leica Summicron should be the same as the Minolta version right?

From eBay prices, it seems to be around 1.2-1.3k USD for a version with either a used Summicron/Rokkor 40mm or bundled with a new Voigtlander 40mm Nokton. Also seen mint/excellent body only for about 800.

My local camera repair shop has one for sale from his personal collection for 1.5k USD with a 40mm Summicron. It has already been CLAd and looks very clean (he allowed me to play with it for some time). Meter works as well. All LCDs light up. I trust this seller as he has CLAd about 4 of my cameras and have bought 3 other cameras from him previously. Plus he offers warranty on all his work.

Tempted to jump on it as any camera I buy online gets CLAd by him anyway (which will make it comparable in price to the eBay sellers).

The way I see it, by buying this and actual Leica glass I can get the Leica image quality vs. Buying an M6/7 with a Voigtlander lens.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

I had the full set some 15 years ago. Much better than Leica CL of the same era. The RF base length was more comfortable to eyes than CL. The Rokkors are also top notch. If you are looking for film use, there are alternatives like Konica Hexar RF and Zeiss Ikon RF which are compatible with M lenses. And ofcourse at the top of the hill is M6 !

I'd echo Bashir and say "go for it." The CLE Rokkor 28mm has a "white spot" issue due to the optical cement Minolta used, so look out for that should you want to get one. The later 40mm Rokkors were made by Minolta and multicoated while the earlier ones were made by Leitz and singlecoated (like the Summicron-C). The 90mms are really good lenses too.

-Dave-

I am in hunt for Minolta CLE myself. I love rangefinders, have many, and want CLE to make it my EDC film camera. Somehow, I want it more than M6.

Last summer I was lucky to find Leica CL "50 Jahre" in perfect condition, full set with 40mm and 90mm Summicron-C lenses. Lovely camera. I had it with me in trip to Lisbon this April, still need to process and print few rolls. Wonder is CLE is any better, and how are M-Rokkor lenses vs Summicron-C.

I keep checking local Craigslist, no lack for a last year. Still prefer local deals. Buying online is tricky and risky, but I might finally take one from Japan on eBay.

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doni wrote:

Has anyone used / uses a Minolta CLE?

Please remove / flag if inappropriate since the question is *technically* not a Leica (but the CLE , if what I read is true, means Compact Leica Electronic through a collaboration between Minolta and Leica that ended after it cannibalized M camera sales).

The Leica purists will surely eat me alive, but based on what I read, it looks like AMAZING value - M mount, reliable meter, aperture priority, framelines for 28, 40, and 90.

The "red dot" tax doesn't apply as much to film bodies as the magic happens with the lens, not the body/processor.

The cons from what I can gather are :

a. Plastic construction
b. Electronic camera
c. Limited framelines

There are some quirks (that I don't see as a con but some do) like the meter not working in manual mode.

Even the Rokkor lens seem like a good value - the 40mm Leica Summicron should be the same as the Minolta version right?

From eBay prices, it seems to be around 1.2-1.3k USD for a version with either a used Summicron/Rokkor 40mm or bundled with a new Voigtlander 40mm Nokton. Also seen mint/excellent body only for about 800.

My local camera repair shop has one for sale from his personal collection for 1.5k USD with a 40mm Summicron. It has already been CLAd and looks very clean (he allowed me to play with it for some time). Meter works as well. All LCDs light up. I trust this seller as he has CLAd about 4 of my cameras and have bought 3 other cameras from him previously. Plus he offers warranty on all his work.

Tempted to jump on it as any camera I buy online gets CLAd by him anyway (which will make it comparable in price to the eBay sellers).

The way I see it, by buying this and actual Leica glass I can get the Leica image quality vs. Buying an M6/7 with a Voigtlander lens.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

The Leica CL came out early 1973 and the Leitz minolta version was released to the Japan market it late 1973. Both were manufactured by minolta in Japan.
Both are a very capable and nice camera to use. The meter is definitely helpful. I have the Leica CL and it’s metal construction and not plastic.

I have used a CLE with the 3 lenses for some weeks many years ago.

Great lightweight camera, I had no complains at all. It doesn't feel as solid as a Leica M but on the other side its smaller, lightweight and the images were totally fine.

I think the rangefinder has a smaller base and therefore is little less accurate, so I assume it could be critical if you attach very fast Leica lenses.

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I have used it in the past. While I agree with everything written above, in my opinion, I would be a bit more reluctant in concluding it is great value. I am not currently following all the used Leica film prices and variations, but was under the impression that decent and recent m-series film cameras could be had for around $2k, to me, that is much better value.

If I wanted a budget rangefinder setup, I would probably look more at the Contax systems, but am under the impression that used prices for these have become greatly inflated, to the point where it maybe doesn't make sense anymore. Also bear in mind that any repairs tend to be difficult / expensive, and that it may not be possible to get parts.

I apologize for speaking somewhat in generalities. What I can say specifically though, is that I don't consider the CLE build quality amazing.

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Thank you all for the amazing input!! Bit the bullet and jumped on the deal!!

mhasman wrote:

Where are you buying from? eBy, from Japan?

If you are in UK, the West Yorkshire Cameras has one on their website.