Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/12/18
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Frederic, the camera and lens are both good but there are some things you ought to know. The Minolta CLE was a reworking of the Leica CL (which was made by, and with Minolta). Minolta added automatic exposure, metering without mechanical arms (the forerunner of the M6's system), TTL flash metering and a wider 28mm field of view (among other things). The camera is largely reliable but in the USA Minolta will no longer service them, here in Britain they will. I'm not sure what the situation would be in France. The metering is actuated only when set to A (automatic) exposure, the ASA settings cater for 25 - 1600 with an overide of + or - 2 stops. Most people regard the Summicron as better than the Minolta 40/2 lens. The rangefinder is adequate but not up to the accuracy of the M series, it has a shorter base length and wider magnification, c. x0.6. to provide the 28mm frame. 2 x SR44 batteries power the camera and a special flash unit mounted onto the 3 pin hot shoe for dedicated flash. There are only 3 framelines visible in the CLE, the 28mm, 40 and 90mm. So unfortunately the 35mm lens is not a good option unless you want to use a seperate viewfinder or guess the framing. Similarly 50mm lenses do not show an appropriate framing. these lenses should work but framing the picture is the problem. But it is a good 'point and shoot' camera for serious work. Jem - -----Original Message----- From: Frederic [SMTP:fduval@cybercable.fr] a friend propose me a Minolta CLE with Summicron-C 2/40 and UVA filter Leitz. But I don't know this kamera and lense. So, somebody could tell me the qualitie and weakpoints both ? About the electronic shutter, the metering system for exposure, the range/viewfinder, batteries autonomie etc... First, the summicron-C must be not bad... Can I use my 2/35 asph with the CLE ? Without trouble ? Frederic