Leica M2 or Minolta CLE as a 1st film camera

[twotroy]

Hi guys - I have an opportunity to get either a Minolta CLE or a Leica M2 for a few hundred more. I have used a digital Leica before so I'm familiar with the rangefinder system. I will be using a 28mm summicron and a 50mm Zeiss lens. I'm ok with no metering on the m2.

Apart from the lighter size, light meter on the CLE - is there any reason why it would be wise to get it instead of the m2? I just wanted to check to make sure I'm not missing anything.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

M2 every time. With the electronics in the CLE....you stand a chance of having an irreparable failure. The M2 is a rock!

 

[twotroy]

M2 every time. With the electronics in the CLE....you stand a chance of having an irreparable failure. The M2 is a rock!

Great point! I overlooked that major factor

 

[gb hill]

I agree with Deardorff38. My vote is with the m2. Years to come the m2 will still give you good service.

 

[Goody]

Also M2 has a much more accurate rangefinder!

 

[bayernfan]

M2. you'll need an external VF for that 28mm.

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

Also M2 has a much more accurate rangefinder!

These things are relative of course. Much better than the CL, yes. Considerably worse than the M3 and not even withing cooee of a Contax.

Viewfinder magnification can help a lot of course, but the highest quality rangefinders derive the greatest accuracy by virtue of a long physical base length and by the relationship between beam deflection and changes in focus distance. How much these points matter in the real world is another issue of course. Perhaps not much at all or a great deal depending on focal length used, subject distance etc. etc.
Cheers,
Brett

 

[Doug]

I have two CLEs and an M2... The CLE will be great for 28mm, and its whole VF window approximates 24/25mm framing. But it has no 50mm framelines, just the 40 and 90. The electronics are very reliable, and components are discreet (not an integrated circuit board) so parts can be replaced if ever necessary. I'm very fond of the CLE... 🙂

The M2 is a great camera too. Its framelines are more accurate than on the M6 etc but that means they are farther out toward the edges of the visible VF. I have never been able to see the whole 35mm frame at one time even without glasses. Goggled 35mm lenses to the rescue! 28? forget it! You'll want an external viewfinder for that.

 

[splitimageview]

The chance of failure is very small with the CLE. And it’s repairable. M2s can also need service... how many topics are there on this forum about CLAs for M bodies? 🙂

The RF accuracy only matters with speedy lenses which usually aren’t a good fit on the CLE anyway.

For a comparison of RF accuracy across different lenses, click here.

 

[WJJ3]

Hi guys - I have an opportunity to get either a Minolta CLE or a Leica M2 for a few hundred more. I have used a digital Leica before so I'm familiar with the rangefinder system. I will be using a 28mm summicron and a 50mm Zeiss lens. I'm ok with no metering on the m2.

Apart from the lighter size, light meter on the CLE - is there any reason why it would be wise to get it instead of the m2? I just wanted to check to make sure I'm not missing anything.

Hi, interesting dilemma! I would suggest the M2, only because there is nothing like an old Leica. I got an M3 as my first rangefinder (well, I briefly had an Oly XA before the M3, but it swung into the door jam of a car just as I was closing the door, and that was the end of that) and cherish those first couple years shooting with it as my only rangefinder, before I got a metered Leica.

If it’s clean and in good working order get the M2. It will be great memories in the future.

 

[Ngyuen Khoa]

M2, and you can give it to your grand grand children and they still can take photo with it! Another reason is that M2 is so beautiful compared to CLE 😀

 

[Ko.Fe.]

28 is the luxury. Skip both and wait for M6 to match.

Or you could smash your nose in Winogrand style with M2.
CLE is just like Panasonic with Leica label, IMO. Better camera, but no cigar.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

The chance of failure is very small with the CLE. And it’s repairable. M2s can also need service... how many topics are there on this forum about CLAs for M bodies? 🙂
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CLA is service clean lubricate adjust. The CLE was introduced in 1980 and is an electronic camera. I had one & used it & it was way ahead of its time. But circuit boards are scarce....

Google problems with CLE..... they're not uncommon.

 

[splitimageview]

I am very familiar with CLEs, having had several. They have an electronic gremlin that is easy to rectify, but as a rule are very reliable and unlikely to fail. Just acquire a well-cared-for body. There is little risk, and if it does end up failing getting another one is not a huge expense.

What I’m saying is that this shouldn’t be a factor in the decision; rather, it should be the feature set of each camera that should be the deciding factor. For example, if auto exposure or easy loading is a priority, or classic mechanical feel, or 28mm frames, or whatever. Those are personal preference decisions.

 

[Contarama]

Hard to say not checking out the cameras or knowing your sort of photography. I can see where I would like to have both.

Bigger question imo is glass

 

[lynnb]

If you've used a digital M before then the M2 would be a familiar form factor and handling, as far as heft, VF and focus goes.. OTOH the CLE is lighter, more compact and probably better suited to people with small hands or who want something "small". Also the CLE offers aperture-priority shooting. So choose based on what suits you better.

 

[Huss]

I had two perfect condition CLEs, and they both had electronic failures. One after I sold it (so then not my problem but still), the other - it worked fine, I removed the batteries, put it away in a dry box. A few months later I pulled it out to use it, it jammed. Some electrical issue. I could only find one person to work on it (I will have to look up who it was , first name was Dave!) and it took months before I got it back. I sold it immediately because I didnt want to have to deal with that again.

Get the mechanical camera - the Leica. If you want to use a 28mm and 50mm lens w/o an external finder for the 28, get an M4-P. (or much more expensive M6, MP, MA, M7)

 

[aizan]

Since you're a 28/50 guy, I would recommend a 0.58 Leica M6 TTL as the expensive, less risky option and a Konica Hexar RF as the inexpensive, more risky option.

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

The chance of failure is very small with the CLE. And it’s repairable. M2s can also need service... how many topics are there on this forum about CLAs for M bodies? 🙂

The RF accuracy only matters with speedy lenses which usually aren’t a good fit on the CLE anyway.

For a comparison of RF accuracy across different lenses, click here.

EBL is the lowest common denominator method of assessing rangefinder accuracy and leaves a bit to be desired. Useful as a rule of thumb of course. But leaves much unsaid.

 

[twotroy]

M2. you'll need an external VF for that 28mm.

Yes - The CLE would have been great for the 28mm but can live with it for a short while. Might swap out to 35 at some point