Leitz CL vs Bessa R2

[d.dulin]

I have both but the time has come for one or the other to go, the funds are needed elsewhere. Both are black, both have light meters that work and are accurate and both are M-mount cameras. The CL is special to me for its size, the Bessa has a much better viewfinder. Aside from obvious specifications I am curious what other forum members would choose to keep in this situation. Thank you for assisting in this choice!

PS: I hope this is the right sub-forum for this.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

D, I have a soft spot for the CL... I used them hard for climbing & mountaineering in the '70s without a failure. I just scored a clean 50th anniversary a couple of days ago...

 

[Ko.Fe.]

CL is antique with electronic.
I prefer no batteries antiques.

 

[d.dulin]

CL is antique with electronic.
I prefer no batteries antiques.

Are you referring to minolta CLE? The CL is mechanical aside from its meter, which is controlled by a battery, much like M6, M5, M-P, ETC.

 

[d.dulin]

D, I have a soft spot for the CL... I used them hard for climbing & mountaineering in the '70s without a failure. I just scored a clean 50th anniversary a couple of days ago...

They have their own charm without a doubt, that front end shutter dial is a pleasure. congrats on your purchase.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Are you referring to minolta CLE? The CL is mechanical aside from its meter, which is controlled by a battery, much like M6, M5, M-P, ETC.

I'm referring to the batteries.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

Ko Fe.... "They who live in glass houses, should not throw stones".... don't you use a Canon with batteries?....& a Leica 'M digital?.... Don't your phone, computer & car have batteries??

 

[Contarama]

Which one is easiest to replace? Sell that one.

 

[dourbalistar]

CL is antique with electronic.
I prefer no batteries antiques.

Ko Fe.... "They who live in glass houses, should not throw stones".... don't you use a Canon with batteries?....& a Leica 'M digital?.... Don't your phone, computer & car have batteries??

I think Ko.Fe is referring to the old mercury batteries that are no longer available.

 

[d.dulin]

Which one is easiest to replace? Sell that one.

They’re both readily available, CL is cheaper

 

[jbharrill1]

Keep the CL no question. It’s a bit more quiet even though not as quiet as an m. It’s smaller and feels better than the Bessa. The bessa prices seem to be going up for some reason so you’ll prob get a little more money for it over the CL. Last, it’s still a Leica. Even though it’s not made in Germany the build quality is still going to be better than a voigtlander.

Plus, isn’t everyone with a bessa just settling for the m mount camera they can afford, not the one they truly want? You’ve got the one you want already and it’s the CL! 😀 :angel:

 

[Deleted member 65559]

I think Ko.Fe is referring to the old mercury batteries that are no longer available.

There are adapters or diode additions for all those 'old' cameras that used mercury batteries....

 

[dourbalistar]

There are adapters or diode additions for all those 'old' cameras that used mercury batteries....

Sure, there are workarounds, but some people view them as such. 😉

I'm not opposed to them, though. Two of my older cameras (Leica M5, Olympus 35 RC) have had their meters re-calibrated to accept modern batteries by previous owners. I also have one of those MR-9 Schottky diode adapters, just in case:
https://schneidan.com/2015/05/19/the-trouble-with-mercury-batteries-and-what-to-do/

At the end of the day, the CL would require an adapter, while the Bessa R2 takes a modern battery. That may or may not be a consideration for the OP.

 

[filmtwit]

I've owned both, while the CL is a great little camera, the Bessa has more (and better) frame lines to it, making it far more versital

 

[Beemermark]

In the last 40 years or so (ever since introduced) I've seen few CL's with working meters. Plus usually a host of other issues. Leica took a long time to introduce working "electronics" into their models. I'd sell the Cl and stick with the Bessa. Never understood the love of the CL compared to the CLE.

 

[B-9]

Bessa over CL.

No one actually enjoys fumbling with those backs! Do they?

 

[Lucadomi]

Functionally the Bessa might be better. I would choose the CL for the Leica feel and the cool shutter speed dial. The finder of the bessa has a higher mag which is a plus for me. It might come down to 40mm vs 35mm.

 

[Rob-F]

I'm in the same frame of mind as Lucadomi. I don't own a CL, but if I did, I don't think I could give it up. It's just too cool.

 

[d.dulin]

The CL’s uniqueness makes it something worth keeping, for sure.
I’m wondering from other users how dim the viewfinder is on yours, mine is by and far significantly dimmer than my M2, it’s also fairly dirty.

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

My newly acquired CL is just a tiny bit darker than either my M2 or M3, both of which are nice and bright.