Bought a CL, did I get a good deal?

What about a Minolta CL with a 40 Rokkor for $450

What about a Minolta CL with a 40 Rokkor for $450

Seems like this is a good price?

Thanks,

Doug
 
greypilgrim said:
Seems like this is a good price?

Thanks,

Doug
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Seems like a very good price assuming the CL's meter works.

Looking around a few months back i got the sense a CL with a dead meter can be found as little as $150 and as much as $225 or so. In great condition with a recent documented CLA and working meter for $350-400 or more.
 
I recieved the camera, looks like it was never used, I am very pleased but with a new Wein Cell it reads over 2 stops compared to my Bessa R3A so I just adjusted the ISO so it matched the Bessa. I know the metering is different (spot v. area) but I metered on a wall with the same lens and from the same distance so it shouldnt matter. Shutter speeds seem perfect. I almost dont want to use it it looks so new. Mabye the meter will even out with some use, if not I can compensate. All in all I'm happy.
 
Congrats then! Good luck with it! I'm using mine more and more. Just so much more pocketable than my MP, especially with my Summitar but with my Summilux it still fits in my coat pocket well.
 
Stu W said:
Why not try it with a 1.5v cell? Worth a shot. Stu
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Agree, if it is correctly functioning, the Wein cell should put it right on. Perhaps it's previously been recalibrated for a 1.5v cell.
 
Hi photobizz! Congrats on your CL. I'm interested in your thoughts on how it compares to a Bessa R in terms of handling, vf, etc.
 
Wouldnt a 1.5v battery make it read even more over? Not really sure but I guess it is worth a shot as a 1.5v alkaline is cheap.

As for the Bessa-R v the CL:

Viewfinder is not a nice on the CL, but still very nice. If that makes sense.

Rangefinder patch is smaller on the CL but that dosent hinder use at all.

Parralax correction is very noticible as you focus the CL due to the meter area moving on the right of the VF.

I no longer have a Bessa-R to compare it to but it feels heavier in the hand if my memory serves me correctly.

I dont think a summilux would focus correctly up close, but that is just my opinion from reading about the baselength of the RF, I have a Canon 50/1.2 in the mail and have no plans on using it on the CL, just on my R3A.
 
-kk- said:
can you focus the summilux wide open on the CL comfortably?
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Never tested it out specifically for this. However today on my walk from my office to the dentist I specifically shot about 6-8 images wide open and at closest focusing distance. I'll develop the roll tonight and we'll see. I will report back.
 
BTW: I also found the CL shutter button to be kind of annoyingly small so I had a mini-soft release I had originally bought for my Bessa that works perfectly and IMO does not detract from the look of the CL at all.
 
It's just a common PX 625 alkaline that I picked up at the local camera store. I threw away the packaging so I don't remember the brand.
 
I use a S625PX silver oxide in mine. I got them here: http://www.batterymart.com/p-s625px-silver-oxide-button-cell-battery.html $3.58/ea. for 5, cheap and fast shipping.

My CL came to me with an alkaline battery installed, and the meter was unpredictable at best. I re-calibrated the meter for the S625PX according to these instructions with reasonable success: it's off by a stop compared to my Sekonic, but it's consistent and I can compensate by setting the film ASA one stop high. The culprits are (probably) an aging CdS meter cell and (definitely) a flaky calibration potentiometer.

I find myself ignoring the CL's meter in favor of my L-308S anyway. It's just faster to take a couple of incident readings, get the exposure set, then forget about it and take pictures. I'd probably be more picky if I shot color film in this camera...
 
silver oxides are the way to go IMO, very consistent current draw throughout the lifespan of the battery.

Photobizz, if your CL is using the old 1.35v, there's someone in holland that does a 1.55 to 1.35 adapter, which allows you to use current 1.5v batteries (siver oxides or alkaline eg SR44) and they give out 1.35v through this adapter (which is the size of eg a weincell). i can dig up his contact info if you want. i have an adaptor for my CL and works like a charm, cheaper in the long run too. weincells are expensive and dont last long.
 
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