[Leica] CLE lenses on M bodies

[Andras Iklody-Szabo <isza@link7.lat.net>]

Fellow Luggers,

can anybody clear up my doubts? I am sure this has been discussed in the
past but not since I am on the list. Sorry, if for some of you this is
repetitive.

I know that the CLE lenses fit physically. What I would like to know for
certain is about exact RF coupling. When I was in Solms the last time I
asked this question. The "official" Leica reply was: you can mount the
lenses but they will not couple properly with the M RF. It is possible that
the difference will be covered up by depth-of-field, but the correct answer
is no, they do not couple.

Since I now own an M6 body I became curious and made all kinds of
combinations. In a (admittedly unscientific) test I mounted the M6 and the
CLE bodies side by side on a tripod and kept exchanging the same CLE lens
focussing on different subjects at different distances with the RF. After
adjusting for exact focus the position of the helical was always the same
for the same subject on BOTH bodies. This makes me think of the following
possibilities:

1. Leica's "official" answer is correct in a mathematical sense, but the
practical differences are imperceptible.

2. Leica misunderstood and was referring to CL lenses instead of CLE
lenses. According to "Handbuch des Leica-Systems 1984/4" CL lenses have a
"steep curve" helicoid, whereas M lenses have a "differential" helicoid
maintaining the follower cam always parallel. Because of this CL lenses can
not be focussed correctly via RF on M bodies. This is printed Leica
information.

CLE lenses have a "plane cam" as Minolta states in the manual, whatever
that is.

3. Leica doesn't like to admit, that a competitor's lenses can be used
succesfully on an M body. Minolta is something of an ex-wife to Leica now.

4. Leica is plain wrong (unlikely but not impossible).

Who knows the answer?



Andras Iklody-Szabo
Caracas / Venezuela