CL lens on a CLE - potential problems?

[markho]

I'm thinking of buying a CLE as an upgrade to my Electro 35, and have found one in good condition with a 40mm Rokkor. However the lens appears to be one of the CL variants (denoted "m-rokkor-qf", serial # on filter ring). This doesn't bother me in itself, but I was wondering if there was any possibility of focussing issues, as some people report experiencing on other M cameras.

I know there's some debate about the whole compatibility thing, but all i can find online is CL/CLE lenses on Leica cameras - not CL lenses on CLE bodies.

(I'm not bothered about potential issues with any camera other than the CLE, as I have no plans (or funds!) to buy another body any time soon).

mark

 

[former member]

Ive used my 40mm F2 Summicron on the M3 without problem.

I can't think of any problem using a CL camera on a CLE. Some deeply recessed lenses made for full-sized Leica bodies may have a problem.

 

[MP/CLE]

My understanding is that the CL lenses will work on the CLE better than they'll work on a leica...not much help, I know, but I have heard that the CL (summicron/rokkor) 40 is a single coated lens compared to the CLE rokkor 40 which is a multi-coated lens. I have not heard of any difficulty using that lens on the CLE. I have friends who use the cl lens on their cle without mention of difficulty, but they also use the fast leica 28 f2.0 primarily.

Interesting to note that the summicron is heavier than the rokkor. Gandy's CL/CLE report on the cameras and their lenses will give more information.

Not on point, but why would anyone design a camera to accept 40/50/90 focal length lenses(CL)? I can understand 28/40/90 as you can carry enough lenses to take in wide/normal/tele...but normal/normal/tele? Odd. I am not denigrating the camera... I like the idea of a small manual leica as a compliment for the CLE (I understand that it was not meant as such), I just think that it was an unusual design choice.

I do, however, highly recommend the CV 40f1.4...it is slightly larger than the rokkor/summicron, but its additional speed makes up for it and the slightly different handling requirements.

Good luck.

 

[markho]

The camera and lens were sold to someone else overnight, but thanks for the info anyway - will be useful when i find another one!