CLE Performance in the cold

[Briangudas]

Hi, still getting used to my CLE. Living in Michigan I shoot in everything from -10F to 90F. I have noticed that when I shoot in 35F or less the batteries are almost useless (and brings the camera with it). I am using Energizer 357's that are 2 weeks old so I am hoping battery life is not the issue. When I warm the batteries the camera comes back 100% of the time.

1) Is this normal for the CLE?
2) Anyone have any tricks to resolve? Is there a service solution?

It just seems hyper-sensitive to cold... appreciate any thoughts

Thanks Brian

 

[Morry Katz]

All batteries lose much of their efficacy in the cold. Try keeping your camera inside your jacket and take it out only to shoot.

 

[Briangudas]

Thanks Morry, it just doesn't seem like 35F is that cold... it doesnt kill the batteries in any of my other rangefinders. Perhaps the minimum threshold for power on the CLE is higher.. Do you actually turn the CLE off when not shooting? I never do as I didnt expect any power to be used when the camera was idle but maybe that is contributing to the power shortage. Appreciate you taking the time. thanks bg

 

[randomm]

I've only ever experienced some stiffness with film transport in cold conditions (~ -15 degrees Celsius). Batteries have been fine.

 

[v_roma]

I hope that's not the case with all CLEs. I'm also in Michigan and hope to take out mine for some shooting Thursday morning (though it's probably not going to be that cold).

 

[Monz]

My CLE also becomes flakey in the cold... the metering becomes erratic and the touch/heat sensitive shutter release misbehaves.

 

[rlouzan]

Brian,

Some photographers gaffer tape hand warmers to the camera body
http://www.handwarmers.net/
but the problem could be internal body/lens condensation.

A half case could work too
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Zhou-Black-Half-Case-Red-Stitches-f-Minolta-CLE-Leica-M-/170407320954

Yet another solution is to have someone build an external battery pack.

Regards,
Robert

 

[Graham Line]

Lots of interesting reading on batteries at http://www.climber.org/gear/batteries.html#booth

I've used my CLE down to about 20 degrees in Ohio, so it could just be a question of battery strength.

 

[Briangudas]

Thanks everyone, just for the record I am using a leather half case and the batteries are 2 week old energizers (357's). I have the batteries in the freezer right now and the camera warm... next I try it... then I will chill the camera and keep the batteries warm and see what that does. Appreciate everyones input

 

[back alley]

you may have bought the batteries 2 weeks ago but who knows how long they have sitting on a shelf...

 

[sol33]

You could bring two sets of batteries. One in the camera and another in your pocket. If your camera fails, just switch the two battery sets.

The only time something similar happend to me was around 0˚C and very humid air. Bying new batteries fixed it instantly. (Luckily the camera failed only 20m from the biggest camera shop in Barcelona.) I never had any problems around -10˚C with dry air. So humidity may play a role. But it happend only once to me, it seems that you are in a much better position to detect a pattern.

If my cameras get wet, I put them in a topper with some rice corns. If humidity is the problem, that might help you.

 

[bkrystad]

I'm in Seattle, so there isn't really any "cold" to speak of unless you go looking for it. What I have noticed with the CLE though is that at cold dry temperatures the electric sensor on the shutter release doesn't register my touch. If I breathe on my fingertip to warm it up and moisten it, that often gets the sensor's attention. But it is erratic, that's for sure. Maybe just mine, maybe universal, I don't know.

 

[staal571]

Minolta CLE

Minolta CLE

Hello I am new in this tread, I have also an Fuji X100 so ai am often on this forum,

Ik bought today a secondhand Minolta CLE with the Minolta M- Rokkor 40 mm 1.2 it looks and works fine, but I read something on battery's, I go next moth 2 week on holiday to Austria skien, and will take my camera with me in a backpack, is that a problem i mean the temperatur.

Further how long take the battery's in normal temperatur conditions i mean how many pictures or films,
i mean when I go to the city town to take pictures should I every time shut down the camera ore can I leave him on a view hours?.

This is for me after a long time using digital cameras the first analog/film camera sinds the 70' s

I how I will enjoy it much, I also starting again to print and develop films in my darkroom ( with i bilt now this week.)

Greetings from The Netherlands Peter

 

[CameraQuest]

Hi, still getting used to my CLE. Living in Michigan I shoot in everything from -10F to 90F. I have noticed that when I shoot in 35F or less the batteries are almost useless (and brings the camera with it). I am using Energizer 357's that are 2 weeks old so I am hoping battery life is not the issue. When I warm the batteries the camera comes back 100% of the time.

1) Is this normal for the CLE?
2) Anyone have any tricks to resolve? Is there a service solution?

It just seems hyper-sensitive to cold... appreciate any thoughts

Thanks Brian

that is likely to vary from camera to camera
depending upon the condition of your particular camera's electronics.

Stephen

 

[Brian Levy]

I have a winter coat for the really cold weather. The pockets are similar to the London Fogs I have in that you can reach into your inner layer of clothing through it. When shooting a smaller camera, I keep it in the inner vest pocket and pull it out only when I want an exposure. I used to keep these cameras around the neck and hanging on the outside and in less than 30 minutes, the battery would only be good for a couple of shoots before "dying".

I also have handwarmers that I break and keep in the outer jacket if using a camera too large to reach through.

I still am a believer that a camera not relying on a battery is the best solution.