[Leica] Leica CL / CLE vs. Bessa-R

["M.E.Berube - GoodPhotos" <meb@goodphotos.com>]

At 10:16 PM 6/14/00 -0700, William Gower wrote:
>I'm wondering about peoples impressions experience with the CL and CLE ?
><snip>Basically, I'm wondering what a better buy
>would be - a CL / CLE or a Bessa-R. <snip>
>Does the CL have a nice Leica "feel" in terms of film advance, shutter, ect.

I have only had a "Leitz" CL with it's 40/2 Summicron for a bit over a year 
so I'm not the expert but here is what I've found. My CL is in user 
condition and the body has a bit of play in it from the back which doesn't 
effect the image at all as far as I can discern, but is annoying none the 
less. I so like the camera a lot because I took Steven Gandy's advice from 
his review of the CL and CLE and haven't really tried to compare it to a 
full sized M. I like the readily accessible layout of the shutter speed 
dial, and like having a meter whilst still not HAVING to rely on a battery 
as with the CLE. I can't speak for all CLs but mine doesn't have the same 
tactile feel as my M5 (which I'm also told isn't as smooth as an M3 but I 
find it buttery.) The CL is much lighter (not a plus in my book as I've 
always shot heavy metal cameras) and the stroke of the advance is not as 
smooth as any M that I've ever held. On the other hand, it still takes 
Leitz Glass and I've got as good photos with it as I have the M5. If it 
were not for CL I'd probably have not ever taken the leap to Leica as I 
figured that I would never have been able to afford it and the 
afford-ability of the CL allowed me to justify the purchase.

Having said the above and having looked at the all of the reviews of the 
Bessa -R that I can find (though still not having held one) I would 
probably today be more inclined to get this NEW body and build a stock of 
screw mount lenses (classics or newer stock) with off brand LTM>M adapters 
before buying a user M or CL. From what I read, the Bessa and the CL are 
practically the same in terms of focusing accuracy, (with slight advantage 
Bessa) but the Bessa is new and opens the options for use of a wider choice 
range of affordable optics. I also like the faster synch and top end shutter.

If you are looking for a camera with the prestigious label, neither the 
"Minolta bastard" nor the Bessa will fit the bill with the purist Leica 
Snob, but they will both enable you to use nice glass and have fun which is 
most important anyhow right?

Carpe Lumen,
Michael E. Berube
http://www.goodphotos.com