Leica Minolta CL - My second "Leica"

[dugrant153]

So after much deliberation and gnashing of teeth, I finally plunked down some cash on a Leica Minolta CL. Fantastic condition, meter works... it's all good.

Except the RF was off horizontally. Quickly googled and found the two screws under the plastic cap (the seller told me to move the roller cam arm screw to adjust... uhhhhhhhh..... nooooo......) twisted the large concentric screw delicately and finally it all came together.

Looking forward to putting film through it (hoping the camera is not all in sync now). However, I was wondering if maybe a bit of locktite might be a good idea to put on the RF adjustment screw so it doesn't move out of range again?

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

I hope you don't mean the superglue...

Regards, David

PS The RF on my CL did that once; that's once since 1973-ish...

 

[css9450]

CL is a nice little camera. I need to put it in the queue for my next roll of film!

 

[dugrant153]

Hi,

I hope you don't mean the superglue...

Regards, David

PS The RF on my CL did that once; that's once since 1973-ish...

Actually, it's this stuff.
http://www.loctiteproducts.com/p/t_lkr_blue/overview/Loctite-Threadlocker-Blue-242.htm

When I went in to conduct the adjustment, the RF actually had a bit of blue goo on it so maybe someone had adjusted it before. The adjustment concentric screw was a bit tight at first to rotate but now it seems pretty easy to move (i.e. stiff, but movable).

Superglue might also do the trick? Although superglue I suspect it would be more brittle and more of a quick repair option.

CL is a nice little camera. I need to put it in the queue for my next roll of film!

I'm finding that there's a number of little quirks and things that make it not really as great as a Leica. I guess that's why you have to pay the admission fee to get a Leica. Still a great camera (thus far) in it's own right. I have it mated to a 28mm F2 Ultron (CV) and a separate VF.

 

[David Hughes]

Actually, it's this stuff.
http://www.loctiteproducts.com/p/t_lkr_blue/overview/Loctite-Threadlocker-Blue-242.htm

When I went in to conduct the adjustment, the RF actually had a bit of blue goo on it so maybe someone had adjusted it before. The adjustment concentric screw was a bit tight at first to rotate but now it seems pretty easy to move (i.e. stiff, but movable).

Superglue might also do the trick? (SNIP)

Hi,

I asked as I was worried that you meant the superglue and not the thread locking version. Superglue would mess it up for the next repair or service it might need in, say, another 20 years time...

I'd suspect oil on the threads causes most problems but the blue suggest the thread locking stuff. BTW, I've been using the blue stuff since the late 60's or early 70's and find few people have heard of it but most know about the superglue they make.

Regards, David

 

[dugrant153]

Hi,

I asked as I was worried that you meant the superglue and not the thread locking version. Superglue would mess it up for the next repair or service it might need in, say, another 20 years time...

I'd suspect oil on the threads causes most problems but the blue suggest the thread locking stuff. BTW, I've been using the blue stuff since the late 60's or earl 70's and find few people have heard of it but most know about the superglue they make.

Regards, David

I didn't really know about the blue stuff until I started doing RC car work and automotive work in general. Thanks for the tip on superglue. I'll keep that in mind!
Could you just pour a drip of the blue thread locking stuff on top of the screw or would I actually need to take out the screw and put some threadlock on the threads?


On a side note, the very small size of the Leica CL and the use of a wide angle lens means that nobody cares if I'm taking their photo! Score!! I guess it's so small that people don't take me seriously on the street... and that's a good thing!

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Well, this looks as though I'm dodging the question but I wouldn't use it at all. RF's drift off slowly and can take years to become noticeable. So I'd leave it and see what happens. And if it does happen again and soon then I'd suggest a visit to a technician who knows them and can do a thorough job.

In the meantime that film of yours is the best test of the camera; many would say the only true test.

Regards, David

 

[dugrant153]

This camera is truly amazing.

This camera is truly amazing.

So I'd leave it and see what happens. And if it does happen again and soon then I'd suggest a visit to a technician who knows them and can do a thorough job.

Thanks, David. I shall do so. Every now and then, I test the infinity focus just to make sure all is OK. So far so good.

Learning to really love the CL. Sometimes, I prefer it even over my M6 due to who petite the whole package is! And it still snaps to focus (not as big and bright as the M6 but very reasonable). I'm even thinking now of possibly getting a backup or even... *gasp*... the 40mm F2 lens....

I'm currently mounting the CV 50mm F1.5 as I enjoy the 50mm framelines and currently mating my Leica M6 + 28mm lens to take advantage of closer focusing and larger viewfinder.

All images attached are from the Leica CL + 28mm or 50mm CV lenses.