M-Mount Cameras Not Made by Leica, Part 2
More ingenious cameras that took the M concept in new directions
By Jason Schneider
The brilliantly designed and executed Voigtlander Bessa 35mm rangefinder series made by Cosina were the most prolific iterations of the analog Leica M concept by any camera manufacturer, possibly even including Leica itself. At least 10 different models were produced from 1999-2015, not even counting such Bessa-based models as the Rollei 35 RF and The Zeiss Ikon ZM. Here are 3 outstanding examples.
Voigtlander Bessa R2
The Voigtlander Bessa R2 was the second M-mount Bessa rangefinder 35 introduced by Cosina. Announced on 20 February 2002 and discontinued in 2004, it was basically a much-improved Bessa R with an M-mount in place of the LTM screw mount. It has a metal exterior body available in durable black or olive splatter paint finish, a ratcheted film wind lever that can be advanced in a single 145-degreestroke or a series of smaller strokes, and a larger metal rewind crank, frame-selector lever, and shutter speed dial. Its signature feature, shared with the screw-mount R, is a very bright combined range/viewfinder with projected parallax-compensating frame lines for 35mm and 90mm (in tandem), and 50mm, and 75mm (individually). With a finder magnification of 0.68x and an effective base length (EBL) of 25.16, both the R2 and the R are capable of achieving accurate focus with 50mm f/1.5 and 90mm f/3.5 lenses, but not with lenses that are longer and/or faster, such as the 50mm f/1 Noctilux or the 90mmm f/2 Summicron when used at their widest apertures. On the plus side the very bright, well defined rangefinder patch offers coincident and split-image capability which enhances focusing precision, and the rangefinder couples down to a minimum distance of 3 feet (0.9m).
Voigtlander Bessa R2 in black with 50mm f/2.5 Voigtlander Color-Skopar lens.
The Bessa R2 is fully compatible with a dedicated Leicavit-style trigger winder that can achieve speeds up to about 3 fps, and its modified Copal vertical metal focal plane shutter provides speeds from 1-1/2000 sec plus B, X-sync up to 1/125 sec and operates without battery power. Its center-weighted silicon cell meter reads light off the first shutter curtain, will not operate until the film is advanced and the shutter release is partially depressed to conserve battery power. It provides manually set TTL readings using 3 red LEDs at the bottom of the finder field. The meter, which can read from EV 1-19 at ISO 100, is powered by 2 readily available 1.5v SR-44 (silver oxide) or LR44 (alkaline) batteries. According to Bessaphiles, the Bessa R2 has the largest, most comfortable handgrip of all Bessas molded into its back door. The Voigtlander Bessa R2 is a great fun shooter in its own right, and it integrates well into any existing Leica M system. If you hanker for one, they’re readily available in clean used condition in black finish at about $1,000-$1,500 (body only); about 20% higher in olive.
Voigtlander Bessa R2, body only, in black showing M-mount, chrome rewind crank.
Leica/Leitz Minolta/Minolta CL
Does the original analog Leica CL that first appeared in April 1973 really qualify as an M-mount camera not made by Leica? Well, it was certainly developed in a collaboration between Leitz and Minolta, but it was actually made in what was then a new Minolta factory in Osaka, Japan, so the answer is technically yes. But no matter how you assess its provenance, the Leica CL was certainly an important camera in the evolution of the Leica M concept, and it paved the way for the Voigtlander Bessa series, and its badge engineered variants, and the Minolta CLE of 1980, then the most advanced M-mount camera in production.
Contemporary ad for Leica CL touting its advantages as the smallest M-mount camera with TTL metering.
The Leica CL, which was also marketed in Japan as the Leitz Minolta CL, and later as the Minolta CL, is an engagingly compact (4.8 x 3.0 x 1.3 inches, 12.9 ounces, body only) rangefinder camera with a vertically running cloth focal plane shutter with speeds of ½ to 1/1000 sec, and a through-the-lens (TTL) CdS match-needle in-finder metering system with its cell mounted on a pivoting “semaphore arm” as in the Leica M5. However, its short base (31.5mm) 0.60x magnification range/viewfinder has an effective rangefinder base length (EBL) of only 18.9mm, too short for accurate focusing with lenses longer than 90mm and fast lenses used at full aperture. However, it does provide an excellent view—the best of any Leica for 40mm lenses—and has bright, crisply defined projected parallax-compensating frame lines for 40mm, 50mm, and 90mm lenses which automatically come into place when the lens is mounted.
Leica CL with acclaimed 40mm f/2 Summicron-C lens billed as normal lens for this model.
The Leica CL was initially offered with 2 lenses specifically designed for it—the excellent 40mm f/2 Leitz Summicron-C sold as the normal lens, and the 90mm f/4 Leitz Elmarit-C, a medium tele. When sold with the Leitz Minolta CL, it was supplied with M-Rokkor lenses of similar specs and design. All CL lenses work properly on M-series Leicas, and all are capable of delivering outstanding image quality, especially the 40mm f/2 Summicron, which is acclaimed for its sharpness. Either version of the CL works with nearly all Leica M lenses; the exceptions include the 15mm f/8 Hologon, 21mm f/4 Super Angulon, early 28mm f/2.8 Elmarits, the 50mm f/2 Dual-Range Summicron, the 90mm f/2 Summicron, and the 135mm f/4 Tele-Elmar. Collapsible lenses are usable on the CL but must never be collapsed to avoid damaging the meter cell. A special run of 3500 of Leica CLs in 1975 were marked “50 Jahre” to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Leica camera.
Leitz Minolta CL with 40mm f/2 M-Rokkor-QF lens.
Whether it’s badged as a Leica CL, Leitz Minolta CL, or a Minolta CL, this diminutive, lower priced iteration of the Leica M concept is a pleasure to use and (with the limitations noted), and performs to a vey high standard of excellence. It’s not as robust as the larger, heavier Leica Ms, and its rangefinder can get out of whack pretty easily if it’s subjected to rough use. But for shooters who wanted a compact M-mount camera back in 1973 it was the only choice, and it’s still a viable option today. Note: all analog CL meters used banned 1.3v mercuric oxide cells, but current 1.5 v silver oxide or alkaline cells can be used with a voltage-reducing adapter. A clean used Leica CL with 40mm f/2 Summicron currently fetches around $800-$1,000; similarly equipped 50 Jahre models go for about $1,500-$1,800.
Minolta CLE
Introduced in 1980, the compact Minolta CLE reigned as the most technically advanced M-mount camera for 21 years until Leica introduced the M7 in 2001. The CLE (which stands for CL Electronic) boasts such impressive features as an electronically controlled horizontal focal plane shutter with electromagnetic release that provides stepless speeds of ½-1/1000 sec an Auto mode and stepped speeds of 1-1/1000 sec plus B in manual mode, a TTL autoexposure system using a single silicon photodiode (SPD) cell in the camera base that reads off the patterned first shutter curtain and/or the film and provides aperture-priority autoexposure at working aperture and stepless adjustment of continuous light and auto-flash exposure, both at light values ranging from EV 3-18 at ISO 100. Its larger 0.58x magnification range/viewfinder has an actual base length of 49.6mm and an effective base length of 28.9mm, and a brighter focusing spot that can be used as a superimposed- or split-image rangefinder. The bright, crisp viewfinder has auto-indexing projected parallax compensating frame lines for 40mm, 90mm, and 28mm lenses, the latter always visible irrespective of the lens used, and the system uses Leica’s traditional parallel focusing cams to provide complete focusing compatibility with the rest of the M system.
Minolta CLE in black with standard M-Rokkor 40mm f/2 multicoated lens.
Rare Gold limited edition Minolta CLE with matching lens made for the Japanese market. They go for $2k and up!
The Minolta CLE was finished in black except for a run of 300 finished in gold for the Japanese market, measures a diminutive 4-7/8 x 3-1/32 x 1-15/16 inches (body only) and weighs in at only 13-7/8 ounces without batteries. It was released with 3 outstanding multicoated Rokkor-X lenses—a 7-element 5-group 28mm f/2.8, a 6-element 4-group 40mm f/2, and a 90mm f/4—and the dedicated compact Auto Electroflash CLE, The camera is powered by two readily available 1.5v (EPX-76 or S-76 or equivalent) batteries, and has LED readouts arrayed along the left-hand side of the viewfinder, and a built in electronic self-timer. Its robust body has a black metal chrome exterior over a polycarbonate chassis. The Minolta CLE is an outstanding camera even by today’s standards, but it has its weak points, including: no AE exposure lock, no metered manual exposure, reliance on battery power (no mechanical shutter speeds), and a short throw (130 degrees) but non-ratcheted wind lever. Finally, it’s not an easy camera to get repaired these days and spare parts are not readily obtainable. However, the CLE is loosely based on the Minolta XG SLR and die-hard CLE fans often keep a couple of XG bodies in reserve to use as parts cameras. If you’re tempted, you can snag a clean working Minolta CLE body for about $600-800, or around $1,200 with 40mm f/2 lens at online auction sites or from dealers specializing in vintage cameras.
More ingenious cameras that took the M concept in new directions
By Jason Schneider
The brilliantly designed and executed Voigtlander Bessa 35mm rangefinder series made by Cosina were the most prolific iterations of the analog Leica M concept by any camera manufacturer, possibly even including Leica itself. At least 10 different models were produced from 1999-2015, not even counting such Bessa-based models as the Rollei 35 RF and The Zeiss Ikon ZM. Here are 3 outstanding examples.
Voigtlander Bessa R2
The Voigtlander Bessa R2 was the second M-mount Bessa rangefinder 35 introduced by Cosina. Announced on 20 February 2002 and discontinued in 2004, it was basically a much-improved Bessa R with an M-mount in place of the LTM screw mount. It has a metal exterior body available in durable black or olive splatter paint finish, a ratcheted film wind lever that can be advanced in a single 145-degreestroke or a series of smaller strokes, and a larger metal rewind crank, frame-selector lever, and shutter speed dial. Its signature feature, shared with the screw-mount R, is a very bright combined range/viewfinder with projected parallax-compensating frame lines for 35mm and 90mm (in tandem), and 50mm, and 75mm (individually). With a finder magnification of 0.68x and an effective base length (EBL) of 25.16, both the R2 and the R are capable of achieving accurate focus with 50mm f/1.5 and 90mm f/3.5 lenses, but not with lenses that are longer and/or faster, such as the 50mm f/1 Noctilux or the 90mmm f/2 Summicron when used at their widest apertures. On the plus side the very bright, well defined rangefinder patch offers coincident and split-image capability which enhances focusing precision, and the rangefinder couples down to a minimum distance of 3 feet (0.9m).
Voigtlander Bessa R2 in black with 50mm f/2.5 Voigtlander Color-Skopar lens.
The Bessa R2 is fully compatible with a dedicated Leicavit-style trigger winder that can achieve speeds up to about 3 fps, and its modified Copal vertical metal focal plane shutter provides speeds from 1-1/2000 sec plus B, X-sync up to 1/125 sec and operates without battery power. Its center-weighted silicon cell meter reads light off the first shutter curtain, will not operate until the film is advanced and the shutter release is partially depressed to conserve battery power. It provides manually set TTL readings using 3 red LEDs at the bottom of the finder field. The meter, which can read from EV 1-19 at ISO 100, is powered by 2 readily available 1.5v SR-44 (silver oxide) or LR44 (alkaline) batteries. According to Bessaphiles, the Bessa R2 has the largest, most comfortable handgrip of all Bessas molded into its back door. The Voigtlander Bessa R2 is a great fun shooter in its own right, and it integrates well into any existing Leica M system. If you hanker for one, they’re readily available in clean used condition in black finish at about $1,000-$1,500 (body only); about 20% higher in olive.
Voigtlander Bessa R2, body only, in black showing M-mount, chrome rewind crank.
Leica/Leitz Minolta/Minolta CL
Does the original analog Leica CL that first appeared in April 1973 really qualify as an M-mount camera not made by Leica? Well, it was certainly developed in a collaboration between Leitz and Minolta, but it was actually made in what was then a new Minolta factory in Osaka, Japan, so the answer is technically yes. But no matter how you assess its provenance, the Leica CL was certainly an important camera in the evolution of the Leica M concept, and it paved the way for the Voigtlander Bessa series, and its badge engineered variants, and the Minolta CLE of 1980, then the most advanced M-mount camera in production.
Contemporary ad for Leica CL touting its advantages as the smallest M-mount camera with TTL metering.
The Leica CL, which was also marketed in Japan as the Leitz Minolta CL, and later as the Minolta CL, is an engagingly compact (4.8 x 3.0 x 1.3 inches, 12.9 ounces, body only) rangefinder camera with a vertically running cloth focal plane shutter with speeds of ½ to 1/1000 sec, and a through-the-lens (TTL) CdS match-needle in-finder metering system with its cell mounted on a pivoting “semaphore arm” as in the Leica M5. However, its short base (31.5mm) 0.60x magnification range/viewfinder has an effective rangefinder base length (EBL) of only 18.9mm, too short for accurate focusing with lenses longer than 90mm and fast lenses used at full aperture. However, it does provide an excellent view—the best of any Leica for 40mm lenses—and has bright, crisply defined projected parallax-compensating frame lines for 40mm, 50mm, and 90mm lenses which automatically come into place when the lens is mounted.
Leica CL with acclaimed 40mm f/2 Summicron-C lens billed as normal lens for this model.
The Leica CL was initially offered with 2 lenses specifically designed for it—the excellent 40mm f/2 Leitz Summicron-C sold as the normal lens, and the 90mm f/4 Leitz Elmarit-C, a medium tele. When sold with the Leitz Minolta CL, it was supplied with M-Rokkor lenses of similar specs and design. All CL lenses work properly on M-series Leicas, and all are capable of delivering outstanding image quality, especially the 40mm f/2 Summicron, which is acclaimed for its sharpness. Either version of the CL works with nearly all Leica M lenses; the exceptions include the 15mm f/8 Hologon, 21mm f/4 Super Angulon, early 28mm f/2.8 Elmarits, the 50mm f/2 Dual-Range Summicron, the 90mm f/2 Summicron, and the 135mm f/4 Tele-Elmar. Collapsible lenses are usable on the CL but must never be collapsed to avoid damaging the meter cell. A special run of 3500 of Leica CLs in 1975 were marked “50 Jahre” to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Leica camera.
Leitz Minolta CL with 40mm f/2 M-Rokkor-QF lens.
Whether it’s badged as a Leica CL, Leitz Minolta CL, or a Minolta CL, this diminutive, lower priced iteration of the Leica M concept is a pleasure to use and (with the limitations noted), and performs to a vey high standard of excellence. It’s not as robust as the larger, heavier Leica Ms, and its rangefinder can get out of whack pretty easily if it’s subjected to rough use. But for shooters who wanted a compact M-mount camera back in 1973 it was the only choice, and it’s still a viable option today. Note: all analog CL meters used banned 1.3v mercuric oxide cells, but current 1.5 v silver oxide or alkaline cells can be used with a voltage-reducing adapter. A clean used Leica CL with 40mm f/2 Summicron currently fetches around $800-$1,000; similarly equipped 50 Jahre models go for about $1,500-$1,800.
Minolta CLE
Introduced in 1980, the compact Minolta CLE reigned as the most technically advanced M-mount camera for 21 years until Leica introduced the M7 in 2001. The CLE (which stands for CL Electronic) boasts such impressive features as an electronically controlled horizontal focal plane shutter with electromagnetic release that provides stepless speeds of ½-1/1000 sec an Auto mode and stepped speeds of 1-1/1000 sec plus B in manual mode, a TTL autoexposure system using a single silicon photodiode (SPD) cell in the camera base that reads off the patterned first shutter curtain and/or the film and provides aperture-priority autoexposure at working aperture and stepless adjustment of continuous light and auto-flash exposure, both at light values ranging from EV 3-18 at ISO 100. Its larger 0.58x magnification range/viewfinder has an actual base length of 49.6mm and an effective base length of 28.9mm, and a brighter focusing spot that can be used as a superimposed- or split-image rangefinder. The bright, crisp viewfinder has auto-indexing projected parallax compensating frame lines for 40mm, 90mm, and 28mm lenses, the latter always visible irrespective of the lens used, and the system uses Leica’s traditional parallel focusing cams to provide complete focusing compatibility with the rest of the M system.
Minolta CLE in black with standard M-Rokkor 40mm f/2 multicoated lens.
Rare Gold limited edition Minolta CLE with matching lens made for the Japanese market. They go for $2k and up!
The Minolta CLE was finished in black except for a run of 300 finished in gold for the Japanese market, measures a diminutive 4-7/8 x 3-1/32 x 1-15/16 inches (body only) and weighs in at only 13-7/8 ounces without batteries. It was released with 3 outstanding multicoated Rokkor-X lenses—a 7-element 5-group 28mm f/2.8, a 6-element 4-group 40mm f/2, and a 90mm f/4—and the dedicated compact Auto Electroflash CLE, The camera is powered by two readily available 1.5v (EPX-76 or S-76 or equivalent) batteries, and has LED readouts arrayed along the left-hand side of the viewfinder, and a built in electronic self-timer. Its robust body has a black metal chrome exterior over a polycarbonate chassis. The Minolta CLE is an outstanding camera even by today’s standards, but it has its weak points, including: no AE exposure lock, no metered manual exposure, reliance on battery power (no mechanical shutter speeds), and a short throw (130 degrees) but non-ratcheted wind lever. Finally, it’s not an easy camera to get repaired these days and spare parts are not readily obtainable. However, the CLE is loosely based on the Minolta XG SLR and die-hard CLE fans often keep a couple of XG bodies in reserve to use as parts cameras. If you’re tempted, you can snag a clean working Minolta CLE body for about $600-800, or around $1,200 with 40mm f/2 lens at online auction sites or from dealers specializing in vintage cameras.
