Huss
Veteran
So... I just picked up a really nice minty fresh CLE and a CV 40 1.4 SC w/ the Voigt LH6 hood.
First off, what an unbelievably sweet camera! It's like a mini-me to my black M5, but w/ AE.
Now, my questions..
1/ The manual says the camera's shutter should not be left cocked. When I got mine, it was cocked. Who knows for how long. It 'seems' ok, but should I worry?
2/ My CV 40 1.4 has the original vented Voigt LH6 lens hood. This hood partially blocks the RF window, so in the VF I get a partially obscured RF patch. Outside removing the hood, are there any workarounds?
TIA!
First off, what an unbelievably sweet camera! It's like a mini-me to my black M5, but w/ AE.
Now, my questions..
1/ The manual says the camera's shutter should not be left cocked. When I got mine, it was cocked. Who knows for how long. It 'seems' ok, but should I worry?
2/ My CV 40 1.4 has the original vented Voigt LH6 lens hood. This hood partially blocks the RF window, so in the VF I get a partially obscured RF patch. Outside removing the hood, are there any workarounds?
TIA!
Shafovaloff1
Well-known
CLE Shutter
CLE Shutter
I am sure there are better authorities on the subject but if the shutter is working now you should be fine. If worried you could always do the TV shutter check on speeds using manual mode, if you can find an older model television. What a versitile camera the CLE is. Enjoy! [ I think the problem encountered leaving the shutter cocked overnight was that it would not release. So if your's releases you should be fine. Sorry if I added any confusion.]
CLE Shutter
I am sure there are better authorities on the subject but if the shutter is working now you should be fine. If worried you could always do the TV shutter check on speeds using manual mode, if you can find an older model television. What a versitile camera the CLE is. Enjoy! [ I think the problem encountered leaving the shutter cocked overnight was that it would not release. So if your's releases you should be fine. Sorry if I added any confusion.]
Last edited:
Huss
Veteran
One more question, with a 28mm lens I also see the 90mm frame. The owner's manual is a bit ambiguous, it implies that with 28 lens I should only see 28 frames. What is the consensus?
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
Iestrada
Well-known
The 28mm frame lines are always visible. With a 28mm lens attached they are the only frame lines you will see.
Huss
Veteran
Thanks for that, I see the 90 with the 28 when I mount my Leica 28 Asph.
So I did a little research and found that the 28 only shows by itself if you use the Minolta Rokkor 28. Using a Leica 28 also brings up the 90.
From Cameraquest:
https://www.cameraquest.com/cle.htm
"Frameline NOTE: While the CLE has automatic built in framelines for the 28, 40, and 90 Rokkors, there is not complete frameline compatibility with the other M cameras. The 28 frameline is visible at all times. The 40 and 90 framelines appear or disappear according to mounted lens...A Leica 28/90 lens brings up the 28/90 combination on the CLE. "
At least I know that nothing is wrong with mine, but this is a little bit of a bummer.
ruby.monkey
Veteran
Get this: VC 40mm f/1.4 hood.
Huss
Veteran
Perfect! Order placed.
Final question, is the led meter tree meant to stay even after your finger no longer touches the shutter button? Mine turns off the moment I no longer touch the button.
The 28 frameline issue is a little confusing until you note that the CLE default frameline is 28, just as the Leica default is 35. So if you put the 28 Rokkor on a Leica M camera, it brings up the 35 framelines... while the 40 Rokkor brings up the 50 framelines.
But if someone has filed off a bit of metal on the 40 Rokkor or Nokton to cause the Leica to display 35mm framelines, then when these lenses are put on the CLE you only see the 28/90 frames!
But if someone has filed off a bit of metal on the 40 Rokkor or Nokton to cause the Leica to display 35mm framelines, then when these lenses are put on the CLE you only see the 28/90 frames!
Huss
Veteran
The 28 frameline issue is a little confusing until you note that the CLE default frameline is 28, just as the Leica default is 35. So if you put the 28 Rokkor on a Leica M camera, it brings up the 35 framelines... while the 40 Rokkor brings up the 50 framelines.
But if someone has filed off a bit of metal on the 40 Rokkor or Nokton to cause the Leica to display 35mm framelines, then when these lenses are put on the CLE you only see the 28/90 frames!
No, my 40mm Nokton correctly brings up the 40mm frame lines on my CLE (as well as the always there 28mm lines).
The issue is when I put on my Leica 28mm Asph lens (bought new and unmolested), it brings up the 90mm lines (as well as the always there 28). Cameraquest says this is normal. Ken Rockwell says so too in his test of the CLE on his site and he is usually correct with the factual data, ignoring his personal opinions...
Anyone know the answer to the shutter speed display? Is it meant to immediately turn off when your finger no longer touches the shutter button? Or are the leds meant to display for a few seconds?
Iestrada
Well-known
"Anyone know the answer to the shutter speed display? Is it meant to immediately turn off when your finger no longer touches the shutter button? Or are the leds meant to display for a few seconds?"
I believe so. It has always been the case with my CLE. If I recall correctly, it is meant to be a battery saving design. I do not recall where I read it, perhaps it was in the manual.
I believe so. It has always been the case with my CLE. If I recall correctly, it is meant to be a battery saving design. I do not recall where I read it, perhaps it was in the manual.
Ljós
Well-known
+1 for the Shapeways hood. Had one for my 40 1.4. "Built" (or rather print ;-)) was really good, nice feel to the material, good fit. And actually a good price compared to the offerings from VC.
Huss
Veteran
Just got it in the mail today. What a fantastic product! Even has a little cut out for the VF, something that the Leica hood on my 35mm Summicron does not.
Highly recommended.
Palaeoboy
Joel Matherson
It was standard Minolta practice to recommend that the shutter not be left cocked for a long period of time simply as to extend the life of the mechanism rather than having everything constantly cocked and in tension. However I have seen CLE's cocked and untouched for years without damage. However they are prone to the odd but of corrosion build up in the curtain rails that can jam the curtains so its always best to fire the camera on a semi regular basis just to keep that side of things free and clear. The main reason for not cocking the shutter until you are about to use it is that this tensions the film as flat as is possible for this type of camera design. Leaving it for long periods the film un-tensions itsef and begins to curl fractionally that can ever so slightly alter the film plane and as such give diminished results. So for best results and to preserve the mechanism is just best practise to leave it uncocked when you pack it away.
As others have stated the 28mm framelines are always visible. The 28mm Rokkor is actually equipped with a35mm equivalent mount so when you fit an M Mount 35 or 135 mm lens to a CLE the only framelines you will see are the 28mm. Using a Leica 28mm will bring up the 90mm framelines but in the case of the CLE the 90mm framelines are so insignificant they dont even qualify as framelines, merely tiny frame corner markers so that they dont really detract in use with a conventional Leica 28. Of course when using one of the great little Voigtlander 28mm f3.5s you get to choose what mount you would like to select with most taking the 35mm mount option just like that of the original Rokkor 28. I have seen strange accusations of several forums over the years that Minolta did this deliberately to try get you to buy their 28mm lens or because they didnt do proper research into Leicas mounts and created this slight incompatibility. The fact is no Leica had 28mm framelines at that point in time of the introduction of the CLE so Minolta made a best guess decision on their own. Leica was then later to pair the 28 and 90mm framelines that cause the issue but the CLE was well into production at that point.
In regards to the hood, technically the LH-6 hood is not the original hood for the Voigtlander 40mm Nokton. In fact it had its own LH-5 hood but these were discontinued very early in the lenses production run and it was just decided that upon release of the 35mm Nokton that its hood would be good enough. The LH-5 hood never completely blocks the rangefinder window of the CLE, it does so partially from 2 metres to minimum focus. You will find however that the top of the rangefinder patch is still workable between these distances and if you position your eye slightly higher in the viewfinder winder rather than dead centre you will see a marked improvement on the amount of patch that is blocked.
The sensor touch button of the CLE only keeps the LEDs on as long as you are making the contact. Its a frugal power saver. Ironically its often derided for being power dependant but its is so conservative on its power consumption I have seen it last up to ten times longer than a set in a M7. Add to that it only takes half the batteries of an M7 as well as far as use of battery power its definitely a winner.
As others have stated the 28mm framelines are always visible. The 28mm Rokkor is actually equipped with a35mm equivalent mount so when you fit an M Mount 35 or 135 mm lens to a CLE the only framelines you will see are the 28mm. Using a Leica 28mm will bring up the 90mm framelines but in the case of the CLE the 90mm framelines are so insignificant they dont even qualify as framelines, merely tiny frame corner markers so that they dont really detract in use with a conventional Leica 28. Of course when using one of the great little Voigtlander 28mm f3.5s you get to choose what mount you would like to select with most taking the 35mm mount option just like that of the original Rokkor 28. I have seen strange accusations of several forums over the years that Minolta did this deliberately to try get you to buy their 28mm lens or because they didnt do proper research into Leicas mounts and created this slight incompatibility. The fact is no Leica had 28mm framelines at that point in time of the introduction of the CLE so Minolta made a best guess decision on their own. Leica was then later to pair the 28 and 90mm framelines that cause the issue but the CLE was well into production at that point.
In regards to the hood, technically the LH-6 hood is not the original hood for the Voigtlander 40mm Nokton. In fact it had its own LH-5 hood but these were discontinued very early in the lenses production run and it was just decided that upon release of the 35mm Nokton that its hood would be good enough. The LH-5 hood never completely blocks the rangefinder window of the CLE, it does so partially from 2 metres to minimum focus. You will find however that the top of the rangefinder patch is still workable between these distances and if you position your eye slightly higher in the viewfinder winder rather than dead centre you will see a marked improvement on the amount of patch that is blocked.
The sensor touch button of the CLE only keeps the LEDs on as long as you are making the contact. Its a frugal power saver. Ironically its often derided for being power dependant but its is so conservative on its power consumption I have seen it last up to ten times longer than a set in a M7. Add to that it only takes half the batteries of an M7 as well as far as use of battery power its definitely a winner.
^^ Very useful commentary, Paleoboy!
The CLE is one of my all-time favorite film cameras (along with the Bronica RF645 and Pentax 67).
The CLE is one of my all-time favorite film cameras (along with the Bronica RF645 and Pentax 67).
Huss
Veteran
Excellent information Paleoboy! Thanks!
I just acquired a CV 25 f4, and interestingly only the 28mm lines show. My Leica 28 brings u p the 90 lines (as stated). I've looked at plenty of image matts and it looks like the 25 pretty much is the entire VF image, so I have been using it as such. Waiting to get the first roll with that lens back!
I have M3s, M5, M240 as well as film SLRs and this awesome little CLE has become my favorite camera! Maybe once my M5 comes back from Sherry (28mm finder getting fitted) I will change my mind, but my black M5 and this CLE look like parent and child.
And yes, the Shapeways shade is working perfectly.
I just acquired a CV 25 f4, and interestingly only the 28mm lines show. My Leica 28 brings u p the 90 lines (as stated). I've looked at plenty of image matts and it looks like the 25 pretty much is the entire VF image, so I have been using it as such. Waiting to get the first roll with that lens back!
I have M3s, M5, M240 as well as film SLRs and this awesome little CLE has become my favorite camera! Maybe once my M5 comes back from Sherry (28mm finder getting fitted) I will change my mind, but my black M5 and this CLE look like parent and child.
And yes, the Shapeways shade is working perfectly.