Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/12/20
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Rolf Hanson wrote: > >I have the opportunity to purchase a Leitz-Minolta CL with >40/2 Rokkor lens for $700. Both are in excellent condition. >I am not a Leica user (yet) but have been looking for a camera for >street photography and available light photography in jazz clubs. >A Leica M series seems to be the obvious choice for this sort of work, but >I am a student and cannot afford a new M6 body + lens. The used >prices I have seen for this equipment are also out of my price >range. Would the CL be an acceptable alternative from a user (not collector) >point of view, or should I wait until I can afford a M6? Nothing at all wrong with the CL. I find mine a delight to use apart from the annoyance of a slightly sticky meter needle. My Rokkor 40/2 also performs well, and with that lens on it's eminently pocketable. However, it's certainly not as robust as an M Leica, and the rangefinder has a much shorter base and therefore isn't so accurate. This may be a problem using lenses wide open in low light levels. > >The focal lengths I would be interested in using >are 28, 35 (the 40 would do), and 90. From what I have read, it >seems as though the camera would have no problems with a 90/4, but >I am wondering if there are any problems using a 28/2.8. See my remarks above about rangefinder accuracy. Note also the CL doesn't have 28mm frames, so you'd have to use an auxiliary v/f. If I were in your budgetary position, I'd be looking for a good 'user' M2 or M3 and a decent hand-held meter for the sort of work you want to do. Hope this helps. Slan Alex Alex Hurst Cork Florists 19 Winthrop St, Cork Republic of Ireland Tel: +353 21 270 907 Fax: +353 21 271 248 email: corkflor@iol.ie Website: http://www.flowerlink.com/corkflorists Home website: http://homepages.iol.ie/~corkflor/