Newbie questions on CL

[raytoei@gmail.com]

hi, I have been thinking about getting a CL. Here are my questions that have been nagging me, I hope you CL guys can enlighten me with your advice or perhaps point me to the right direction:

a. I intend to use my Screw-Mount lens (from my IIIf) on the CL.
I have an Elmar 50mm , Summaron 35mm wide and a Hektor 135. I also have a Industar 61 l/d and a Industar 26m. I understand that the CL doesn't like collapsibles, this will rule out the only collasible I have, the Elmar.

My question is, for 35mm 50mm and 135mm, what are my frameline options ? Can I use an external Viewfinder like a Helios type that I am currently using on my IIIF ?

b. Besides Collapsibles, what other gotchas should I be aware of, in terms of lens selection. Are Serenar lenses ( from Canon) kosher ?

c. I am thinking of buying a particular CL with an inoperative meter, since I currently use a hand-held, it should not affect my ability to take pictures ?

thanks in advance

raytoei
ps. btw, excellent postings in RFF, I spent a good evening yesterday reading up on this board.

 

[TheHub]

I had a CL for a little while. The CL doesn't like some lenses that protrude into the body too much. They can damage the meter arm, which swings down when one advances the film. If the meter is broken to begin with, I don't see that those lenses would be a problem. However, you wouldn't want the meter arm scraping against the rear of the lens in any situation (scratches are never a Good Thing.)

The CL has lines for 40mm (the biggest in the viewfinder and always there) and 50mm (just inside the 40mm lines.) I used a 35mm lens and the whole viewfinder as a basic guide. Mounting a 90mm lens will bring up the 90mm frame lines, though I don't remember how big they are. I used a Nikkor 135/3.5 on mine with an external Varifocal finder. Parallax issues were a pain at close focus (like 5 feet) but otherwise it worked well.

I've seen some places on the internet where people have put tape on their collapsable lens barrels, as a guide to keep them from going into the body too far. You could try that, I suppose.

 

[former member]

I have a CL. It's possible to use the 135 and an external finder- but the IIIf will provide more accurate focus. With the lens line-up that you have, I would get an M4-2 or M4-P. Not much more than a CL.

The CL is great with a small 50 or the 40mm lens. Works with a 90/4 just fine. I keep a Nikkor 5cm f2 on my CL. I would use the M3 or M2 for the others lenses you mention. The M4-2 and M4-P have framelines for all mentioned.

 

[raytoei@gmail.com]

Hi, thanks for your replies.

I am of the opinion that the market for the EMs are slightly overpriced right now (while the screw-mounts are a little underpriced). Getting a CL with an inoperative meter seems to be the cheapest way to getting into the M system. The CL is attactive because it is small, and small usually wins 🙂

thanks

raytoei

 

[FrankS]

If the meter is gone anyway, you can have the CL's metering arm removed and then you can use any colapsible lens you want on it.

The CL framelines are 40, 50, and 90. Use the outside of the 40 frames for 35mm lenses, use the entire viewfinder for 28mm lenses.

 

[PentHassyKon]

..... Getting a CL with an inoperative meter seems to be the cheapest way to getting into the M system. The CL is attactive because it is small, and small usually wins 🙂 ...

raytoei

That's my thought also. Although a used bessa could also be cheaper but not as compact. I have a 28 skopar for mine and am still saving for a 40/2 cron

I have yet to finish a roll with the 28 to see how the framing is.

 

[BillBingham2]

Another approach is to use the 135 outside in bright light and the CL range finder should be good enough as long you do not get too close.

B2 (;->

 

[jon.f]

The CL has a short-base rangefinder. Leica/Minolta engineered the 90/4 specifically with an altered cam to allow for accurate focusing. Anything longer will probably not always be accutately focused.

Using screw mount lenses is a great idea, the CL takes the standard screw-to-M adapters. The only brightlines are 40, 50, and 90. I use my CV 15mm and 12mm lenses with mine, with the big finder stuck in the hot shoe.

You can use your collapsible lens, just don't collapse it! I have screw mount 28, 35, and 50 lenses for my IIIf, and I have used them all on the CL & am happy with the results. I've also used, besides the 40 and 90 C lenses, M 21, 28, 35, & 50. I use my multi-focal length finder with paralax correction.

 

[Ronald M]

I see NO ADVANTAGE to a CL without the meter. Buy something else.

If you do not collapse the 50, there will be no issues with it.
Leica recommended 3/8 Dymo Label tape to prevent the lens from going in too far. It is right in their catalog.

Sherry Krauter will overhaul the CL and replace all the upgraded parts and get it working as new. Not cheap, but good. Golden Touch Camera Repair. Sometimes her e mail gets lost. Use the phone if you don`t get an answer soon.

90 4.0 is the design limit for the short base CL RF. I will guess if you use the 135 at 8 it will work ok. 135 bright line finder is terrific as they all bright lines are. Better than any camera body.

 

[baycrest]

I picked up a CL on eBay a couple of months ago. Its lightmeter, works fine (touch wood).

Personally, I'm a bit on the lazy side, I'd recommend paying out the extra bucks to get the light meter working.

Remember they've discontinued selling mercury batteries. So you're either going to:

• get someone to adjust the electrical stuff so the meter will work with the newer higher voltage batteries;
• go to eBay and buy the compatible batteries there (which are not mercury based, but the voltage matches the camera's specs.
• buy a voltage stop down adapter from CRIS, not cheap, but is a lasting solution if you have other cameras that also "need" merc batteries (I do with the Minolta SRT 202)

I'd recommend the eBay route.

For choice of lens, I'd go with either the Leica or the Minolta 40mm f/2 which are great small lenses, that were sold with the Leica & Minolta versions of the camera.

Best Rob