Minolta CLE just stopped taking photos! HELP!

[Palaeoboy]

It's an old chestnut, sadly, Addy.

While the CLE shares some design elements with the XG series SLRs, there are very few interchangeable parts. I have 2 XG-1's, one reduced to parts. If you can recommend a repairer, I'm happy to send the bits. But the internal structure and wiring is completely different. I doubt there would be any part other than the shutter speed dial that would simply slot from one to the other - and even that I am not sure about. For example, the screw-in trim over the advance lever, while conceptually the same, uses a different thread size.

Actually your both sort of right. Repairers are often just too scared to work on them. The response Jonmanjiro got is typical of this. If the camera stops working it can be from a number of simple factors you cannot say its completely dead or unfixable without opening up and having a look. But its also true that it is a wives-tale XG parts can be used. The CLE is the only Minolta to meter of the film plane (They actually sold the patent rights to Olympus and they used it instead) and as such the metering cell and electronics are very different to any other Minolta Camera.

The CLE does sometimes have a simple wire break over time from the battery compartment. Also because of the unique battery cover that never comes off unless you break it, the contacts inside that cover never face outwards to be able to be cleaned. You can have corrosion all over them and you would never know. You actually need to remove the baseplate to access the contacts. This is one of the first places I would look. The first however, is the shutter fully cocked? Check the winder and also open the back to check the position of the curtains. Sometimes a film fragment gets cause in the shutter rails and brings everything to a stop. Only after checking this would i consider opening it up and it would be the baseplate not the top I would check under first. But remember once you undo one screw you have effectively voided any warranty or chance of return.

If there is something specific that you need from the manual I can see whats in mine but I am reluctant to copy any part of it sorry. Its written however not like a car workshop manual for home repairs is directly assumes you are a factory trained repairer and understand their specific methods and terminology so often when you read it you just go what the hell does that mean.

 

[Scrambler]

Ahhh. The sound of actual knowledge!

Just manipulated the curtain. It slid forward a further 1/4 inch and now all is well.

Wasn't that simple?

I guess there's corrosion or a film fragment but knowing it's just that is reassuring.

Paleoboy, I can't thank you enough!

 

[Addy101]

The CLE isn't the only Minolta that reads off the film. I think the XD series does it, and I'm sure the X700 (X300, X500) does it, as it changes the timing during exposure.

By the way, I didn't say it is the same as the XG series, I understand it also has some XD parts. But to be honest, I'm just parroting what I read on the internet.....

 

[Scrambler]

The CLE isn't the only Minolta that reads off the film. I think the XD series does it, and I'm sure the X700 (X300, X500) does it, as it changes the timing during exposure.

By the way, I didn't say it is the same as the XG series, I understand it also has some XD parts. But to be honest, I'm just parroting what I read on the internet.....

I believed the parts thing until dismantling the xg1. Can't speak to xg / xd differences but wiring in xg1 is custom flat flexible sheet shaped over the pentaprism.

I know the Xx00 series has compatible ttl flashes so you are right re off the film though perhaps there is a different system as neither you nor I knew enough to make the CLE work and Paleoboy did so I am prepared to cut him a fair bit of slack!

 

[Addy101]

I believed the parts thing until dismantling the xg1. Can't speak to xg / xd differences but wiring in xg1 is custom flat flexible sheet shaped over the pentaprism.

I know the Xx00 series has compatible ttl flashes so you are right re off the film though perhaps there is a different system as neither you nor I knew enough to make the CLE work and Paleoboy did so I am prepared to cut him a fair bit of slack!

Me too 😎

 

[Palaeoboy]

The CLE isn't the only Minolta that reads off the film. I think the XD series does it, and I'm sure the X700 (X300, X500) does it, as it changes the timing during exposure.

By the way, I didn't say it is the same as the XG series, I understand it also has some XD parts. But to be honest, I'm just parroting what I read on the internet.....

Yes unfortunately there are many internet myths about the CLE. But I can assure you the CLE's off the film plane metering system is unique within the Minolta range. Think about the main factor in that its not an SLR so its required to have a spotted curtain that simulates the light reflection of film when the curtain is opened with the cell placed directly up front. The requirements of an SLR would require 2 cells, one in the prism to meter before you take a photo then a second to meter off the film plane to then take control of exposure once the shutter and mirror were out of the way. In 1980 that wasnt possible although Olympus did develop Minoltas technology to do this eventually (and much later others were to develop opaque mirror centres to allow light to past through). However back then even if Minolta had such dual meter circuitry, it would be different to the CLE's either way. Below is a photo of a new circuit board from the CLE. I purchased the last CLE parts from a Minolta technician here in Australia. (With them was where the manual came from) You can see the bottom part of the board has the metering cell integrated into it and places it at the bottom of the camera. SLRs of that era the meter cell was up top in the prism reading off reflected light from the mirror.

No one more would love the parts to be interchangeable but sadly they are not. Having bought an XG-1 and disassembled it for just that purpose I try to stand up against the myth so no other sucker like me waste the time and money to buying an XG. No parts from a XD are similar either unfortunately. Even the Shutter mode dial is thinner than that of the X series although I once saw an X-500 dial was used on a CLE as a replacement and it looked funny being way higher than the rest of the camera.

To help with some confusion lol then there is off the film plane flash metering (TTL FLash) you mentioned, which is a different thing again to the off the film plane light metering and sometimes they are both confused for each other. The CLE has both! The CLE was in fact Minoltas very first off the film plane flash metering camera. So as such it laid the specification foundation for their TTL PX flash system of all their subsequent cameras and thats why later PX flashes were backwards compatible.

Glad your CLE is up an running now Scrambler. Check the back light seal if you can the sponge turns to putty over the years and makes the camera prone to light leaks. It can also jam up the film counter reset button and get the false impression the counter has packed it in. So clean any sponge around that area too. Great camera Enjoy!

 

[Addy101]

I do appreciate your knowledge, but according to camerapedia the XD has off the film metering: http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Minolta_XD_series

But then again, another source claims it wasn't off the film (see the XD7 entry): http://www.paulfvs.dds.nl/minolta.html

So, I guess I was misguided by the final check metering, I assumed it was during exposure adjusted (and therefore off the film) but it could be just stopped down metering.

 

[willwright]

Call Sherry Krauter, she's the CL lady! or email DAG...

 

[micromoogman]

This one had a shutter curtain ribbon stucked. I had it all back in place and fired it once, then dead again. It's hard to work on the CLE and troubleshoot as you need power to get it running... Really great constructed with a module like concept but with lousy materials everywhere...

 

[gyuribacsi]

CLE Shutter problems

CLE Shutter problems

@ scrambler

I would suggest you to remove the batteries every time you put your CLE in a drawer. Never leave them in the camera for a longer time. This would cause really bad corrosion on the electronics inside the CLE. I´ve learned this after a $400 CLA on my CLE from the repairman.

George

 

[Scrambler]

Thanks. I will make sure I don't leave it alone with batteries in! No risk at the moment though coz it's with me all the time.

 

[Shafovaloff1]

I have now had the botttom plate off the CLE which is a simple operation, one phillips screw and the retaining ring for the rewinder - watch out for the rewind button falling out and do not upset the battery check unit. Also, do not let the base plate dangle or it might separate some soldered power wires. I have pictures. The circuit board with the lens for the metering comes off with a few phillips screws - nothing very interesting or appearing delicate. Meter now working but no wind. Suspect something more than stuck curtain. Have moved it gingerly back and forth with no change - still no wind available. Pattern is visible on the curtain from the front. This camera was designed so it could be easily maintained. Beautiful finder. Will keep at it until it operates. Think something like stuck shutter magnets, like the Canon AE-1 has.

Found that moving an interior gear accessible though the bottom of the camera moved shutter just enough to get the whole operation working again. With bottom plate off, looking at base with front of camera facing me [winder side of camera to my right] just to the right side of the metering ciruit board is a black gear box plate with a gray colored lever in the left corner of the box. With a good magnifier and led light , looking into the camera void just under that gray "L" shaped lever, is a gear with what looks to be a counterweight arm on it that when moved just a little also moved the shutter mechanism so the camera could be fully advanced to cock the shutter and now trip the shutter release. Lubricated this and other gears sparingly and reassembled to complete repair. A long process from beginning because of lack of familiarity and trial and error process however success is sweet. Have adapter coming for Canon 28mm f2.8 to use on camera. Minolta/Leica piece of art this CLE.

 

[animaux]

Who is doing CLA/ repairs for CLEs these days?

I wonder if Belamy (Japancamerahunter) would be worth asking? I might try.

Wanted to share this with anyone looking for CLE-repair:

A nice japanese guy told me about the likely last CLE-repairman. Prices seem reasonable. You would have to send the CLE to Japan though.

https://translate.google.com/transl...p://mcs-web.jp/cle_03.html&edit-text=&act=url

 

[Fletch_Lives]

Actually your both sort of right. Repairers are often just too scared to work on them. The response Jonmanjiro got is typical of this. If the camera stops working it can be from a number of simple factors you cannot say its completely dead or unfixable without opening up and having a look. But its also true that it is a wives-tale XG parts can be used. The CLE is the only Minolta to meter of the film plane (They actually sold the patent rights to Olympus and they used it instead) and as such the metering cell and electronics are very different to any other Minolta Camera.

The CLE does sometimes have a simple wire break over time from the battery compartment. Also because of the unique battery cover that never comes off unless you break it, the contacts inside that cover never face outwards to be able to be cleaned. You can have corrosion all over them and you would never know. You actually need to remove the baseplate to access the contacts. This is one of the first places I would look. The first however, is the shutter fully cocked? Check the winder and also open the back to check the position of the curtains. Sometimes a film fragment gets cause in the shutter rails and brings everything to a stop. Only after checking this would i consider opening it up and it would be the baseplate not the top I would check under first. But remember once you undo one screw you have effectively voided any warranty or chance of return.

If there is something specific that you need from the manual I can see whats in mine but I am reluctant to copy any part of it sorry. Its written however not like a car workshop manual for home repairs is directly assumes you are a factory trained repairer and understand their specific methods and terminology so often when you read it you just go what the hell does that mean.

I was having the same issue as Scrambler. Now 8 years after you posted this response, Paleoboy, I have found your instructions and did what you prescribed. IT WORKED! I am so thrilled that my trusty every-day carry is back working as normal. One thing that I would add to the instructions you stated is that the shutter curtain, on any camera with a cloth curtain, should never be touched, as the oils in your skin can degrade the material. That being said, I put a latex glove on before pinching the curtain and moving it the 1/4 inch, and I feel confident that it will be just fine. As Scrambler states in his eventual post, I simply cannot thank you enough for sharing your insight and instruction. Thank you thank you thank you!

 

[Fletch_Lives]

I wanted to add that I tried contacting the various repair individuals that are mentioned throughout this thread and was told by 3 out of 4 of them that they no longer work on the CLE. The 4th fellow, the guy in Japan, has not responded to me. So, hopefully my CLE lives on for many, many years. At its eventual death, I believe I will invest in a fully-mechanical body; M6 TTL .72 most likely. Anyway, happy shooting everyone!