Minolta CLE close focus rangefinder adjustment

[jkf]

Does anyone know how to adjust the close focus on the CLE? Mine came to me with a misaligned rangefinder, which I was able to adjust to focus correctly at both infinity and near distances (3' or so). The rangefinder is set up very similarly to the Hexar, so the previous thread on Hexar rangefinder adjustment was helpful.

Now I have noticed that the rangefinder patch stops moving at around 30", so that anything closer than that is not coupled. It's a small thing, but it would be good to have coupling for those last few inches when getting in close and wide open with a 50 Summicron. (for instance)

I'm not sure if I affected this adjustment when I was doing the rangefinder calibration, as it's possible that it was like this before and I just hadn't noticed.

There are a couple of screws that look like possible candidates for adjusting this, but there is not one on the rangefinder cam itself, as on a leica M.

If anyone knows for sure I would greatly appreciate the help, as I'm reluctant to just start twiddling screws! 😉

As an aside, has anyone seen a service manual for the CLE? They seem hard to find -- I'm sure lots of people would be interested in a reprint.

Thanks in advance,

Jordie

 

[laptoprob]

Ummm inches and feet.... get metric!
My CLE focusses down to around 78cm (on barrel scale). That is around 30 inches. This is just like most rangefinder cameras. Some get a little closer, like 70 cm or so.
No worries!

Welcome to the forum, BTW.

 

[jkf]

Ummm inches and feet.... get metric!
My CLE focusses down to around 78cm (on barrel scale). That is around 30 inches. This is just like most rangefinder cameras. Some get a little closer, like 70 cm or so.
No worries!

Yes, this sounds like mine, focus stops at around .8 m on the barrel. Too bad it's not adjustable, it is on all 'M's, I think. For sure my M5 focuses correctly down to .7 m (28" 😛 ) and is adjustable by the little screw on the rangefinder cam.

It would sure be nice to get the extra few inches coupled, but I guess if Minolta didn't make their lenses to focus this close they had no reason to make the cam go any further. Both the 50 Summicron and Voigtlander 40/1.4 do focus down to .7 m, BTW.

At least this means I can put the camera together and go shoot some pictures now!

Welcome to the forum, BTW.

Thanks!

Does anyone know what the other adjustment screws under the top cover in the rangefinder area are for?

 

[awilder]

That's normal for a CLE and AFAIK can't be adjusted. The best solution is to do what I did if you want close focus and get the 90/4 Macro Elmar-M. Pricey, but it works pefectly on the CLE as it's minimum focusd is 0.78 m using the normal coupling range of the lens. It's the ultimate 90 for that camera if you don't need speed.