Need some help. Minolta CLE or Leica m4-p?

[harisan]

hey guys, I need some help deciding on either getting a Minolta CLE body or a Leica M4-p.

I found a Minolta CLE for sale at a local second hand goods shop. It's going for $230. Most Minolta CLE's go for so much more than this. Around twice as much or more than that. But there's a catch, slow speeds at 1/8 and below are quite erratic. I don't mind since I'm not confident enough to shoot that slow. But I'm afraid that it can't be fixed since it's said that the CLE parts are scarce.

A friend of mine wants to sell away his M4-p. User condition. $700.

So, which should I pick? I only have enough to pick ONE. And if I pick the CLE, I could buy a new lens at the same time.

Pros of CLE:
1. AWESOME viewfinder.
2. Meter.
3. Cheap.
4. Small and compact.

Cons:
1. No 50/35 frameline.
2. Hard to find spare parts. Could die on me at any time.
3. Not a Leica. I've never owned one before, other than a CL, and its been on my wishlist since I've laid my hands on one.

 

[Moriturii]

Pick the one that is in the best mechanical condition and worst cosmetic condition.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

That's a really good price for the CLE. Get it, and if you don't like it, sell it for a small profit and get an M4-P. (I've got an M4-P and think it's great.)

 

[umcelinho]

what mabelsound said. price is good, you can try it and if you don't like it just resell it with a profit and then buy your friend's m4-p later.

 

[rover]

The price of both of those cameras are very good. Much lower than the market for each. Buy both, sell the one you like less? Only if it was that easy!!!!

The condition and function of both is of course most important. I would think the M is easier and more reliably repairable than the CLE, but who knows?

 

[Archlich]

I don't think the CLE's slow speeds are off, as it should be a result of the OTF metering system - when not loaded with film, the "actual" shutter speed was metered off from the pressure plate.

Many first-time CLE (and OM2) users had similar confusions.

 

[shadowfox]

When you say the CLE has "AWESOME viewfinder", you are not comparing it with the M4-P, are you?

Because (to me) there is no other RF camera that can beat a Leica M in terms of it's viewfinder/rangefinder implementation.

But that's a really good deal on a working CLE.
Get it, see if you're happy with it, if not, pass it on.

 

[jippiejee]

I own both, and like both... so this is hard. The m4-P's viewfinder is a lot brighter and convenient though, while the CL has a light meter built in and is more compact. But if I had to choose, I'd go for the M4-P. Feels more like the real thing, and is such a joy to use.

 

[yossarian123]

I have an M4p and love it, but at $230 the CLE is too good to pass up. A CLA should fix up those slow shutter issues, I wouldn't worry too much about parts.

 

[DonaldJ.]

The problem is with the CLE, there is no one that really works on them. Along with there being no parts. It could break at any moment and it becomes a useless camera.

$700 for any M these days is a decent price.

 

[mbisc]

I have neither camera, but it is my understanding that anyone working on Minolta XG cameras, should also be able to fix a CLE. In fact, getting a couple of beater XGs (which you can get for less than $100) should give you enough spare parts for the years to come...

 

[jsrockit]

I'm in the buy both and sell the one you like least category.

 

[johannielscom]

Erratic shutter speeds on a CLE or any XG related camera has to do with the contacts under the shutter button being dirty.

It's an easy fix.

Get the CLE and flip it for a profit after cleaning the button if you want an M4-P. Or clean it and use it!

 

[harisan]

Thanks for the help guys. I've decided on getting the CLE.