CLE framelines: compatibility with CV lenses?

[Kabouik]

Hi there,


I just found a mint CLE that I'm gonna purchase as a second hand body (I already have a Bessa R3A that I chose because of its 1:1 viewfinder even if framelines are not quite optimal for my lens set). I own the following lenses (all Voigtländer): 15 F/4.5 (LTM with adapter), 21 F/4 (LTM with adapter), 35 F/1.4 SC, 50 F/1.1.

I guess when mounting the two LTM lenses with their adapter, the CLE will show framelines according to what the adapters are designed for, right? This is pointless because both lenses have larger fields of view than the CLE's viewfinder anyway, so that's a problem "solved". However what about the 35 F/1.4 and 50 F/1.1: will they be recognized by the CLE? Will they both trigger the 40 mm framelines, or nothing will happen?

Thanks in advance for you help. 🙂

 

[Palaeoboy]

Firstly the 28mm framelines will always be visible regardless of any lens attached. Your 50mm f1.1 will bring up the 40mm framelines. 35/135 lenses dont activate any framelines at all so you just see the 28mm lines that are always visible with your 35mm f1.4. Given you have a R3A and a CLE both of which have 40mm framelines my suggestion would be to change your 35mm f1.4 for the Voigtlander 40mm f1.4 as that lens is perfect on both those cameras.

 

[Kabouik]

Thanks! So the automatic framelines selection will work exactly the same regardless of the lens attached? I wondered whether there were some compatibility issues. How is the focal length recognized by the camera exactly?

 

[Palaeoboy]

The CLEs auto framelines dont work exactly the same as an M as when the CLE was created Ms didnt have 28mm framelines built in yet so the mount triggers are slightly different. The 28mm CLE lens has the same mount as a 35mm Leica M lens which doesnt activated any of the pop framelines leaving the 28mm frameline which is always visible. So if you were using a LTM Voigtlander 28mm lens on your CLE then you would get a 35/135 adapter mount. If you want to use a 90mm LTM lens use a 28/90 adapter as this will bring up the 90mm framelines just like it does in a Leica. 40mm lenses are usually fitted with 50mm mounts and thats why they bring up the 40mm lines on a CLE.

The framelines are determined by the length of one of the mounts bayonet prongs. To see how it works hold your finger on the lens release button and mount your 50mm lens on it and look through the viewfinder at the same time gently turning the lens as if your mounting it and see the framelines pop up. Not sure if Ms can turn past their mount lock position but you can on a CLE sort of like a frameline selection option.

 

[Kabouik]

Thanks a lot for all the explanations. 🙂