Question about Minolta CLE repair options

[gzisis69]

Hi there, id like to know what are the repair options of the minolta cle. I am thinking of getting one to use with 28mm lens but the prices are almost like the leica m2. Giving the fact that its an old electronic camera, can anyone repair if something goes wrong or if it dies thats it ?

 

[lonemantis]

I've posted about this elsewhere before, but I had a great experience sending my CLE to Scott Nielsen of Nielsen Photographic Services last year! It was in rough shape, was missing parts, and the electronics were only working sporadically, and it came back looking and working just like new. He's a former tech for Minolta USA and has a good supply of parts as well.

It's almost ironic that the CLE seems more repairable than the original Leitz/Minolta CL (mechanics can be fixed but very few will touch the meter) and even newer CV Bessas. (CQ doesn't offer repairs anymore, and few techs seem willing to work on them) Obviously that's only the case for this current moment in time, so getting one fixed up now for the long term is probably a good idea! The CLE is a great camera, and maybe the most fun I've had shooting an RF in years.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

I've posted about this elsewhere before, but I had a great experience sending my CLE to Scott Nielsen of Nielsen Photographic Services last year! It was in rough shape, was missing parts, and the electronics were only working sporadically, and it came back looking and working just like new. He's a former tech for Minolta USA and has a good supply of parts as well.

It's almost ironic that the CLE seems more repairable than the original Leitz/Minolta CL (mechanics can be fixed but very few will touch the meter) and even newer CV Bessas. (CQ doesn't offer repairs anymore, and few techs seem willing to work on them) Obviously that's only the case for this current moment in time, so getting one fixed up now for the long term is probably a good idea! The CLE is a great camera, and maybe the most fun I've had shooting an RF in years.

DAG has parts and does repair the CL. Last year he replaced the meter cell on a 50th anniversary CL for me. The big upside of the CL is that even without a working meter, you have a functional camera....

 

[splitimageview]

A friend of mine has a 28 Rokkor without spots, he may be interested in selling it.

Or there is the new Voigtlander 28/2.8 which is of course much more modern...

I paid $600 for my CLE last year, from keh. Be patient and you can find a deal.



642 Hi Tech Parkway, Suite A
Oakdale, California 95361
209-543-1989, photogger at sbcglobal.net

 

[brian steinberger]

I’d be curious about reliability between the CLE and the newer Voigtlander Bessa AE cameras (R3A). The CLE is 40 years old at this point and still seems to be going strong.

 

[splitimageview]

I have had several over the last 15 years or so, the only issue was oxidation under the shutter speed dial, easy to rectify.

 

[gzisis69]

Thanx for the comments, i think the 28mm 2.8 from voightländer would be a dream combo with the cle

 

[AveryWagg]

I have a CLE pared with a Voigtlander 40mm Heliar (f2.8), and it's great. I find the CV-40 is excellent for sharpness and contrast. It's my go-to street combination. When I got the CLE from Japan two years ago, the viewfinder was pretty dirty. There's a fellow on the internet (Justin Low), who has a small one-page website on how to clean inside the CLE viewfinder. I followed his guide and the viewfinder dust is now long gone. I can't speak to other CLE concerns as I haven't had any additional problems with mine..

..Avery

 

[miketcool]

I have had several over the last 15 years or so, the only issue was oxidation under the shutter speed dial, easy to rectify.

Did this oxidization cause issues with shutter speed?

 

[splitimageview]

it makes the LED readout jump all over the place. the readout is too swift to determine if it affects the speed or not, no way to tell if the indicated readout speed matches the actual shutter speed

 

[hap]

I sent my CLE for the meter issue to Scott Neilsen. Very n;ice guy and long time Minolta trained technician. He lives in the western foothills of the Sierra...near Yosemite.

 

[RobLive7]

Has anyone had any luck finding a service / repair manual for the Minolta CLE?

 

[ThomasN]

[New member, first-time post] This is another positive review for Scott Nielsen's (Oakdale, Calif.) repair services on Minolta CLE bodies and lenses. (This review is a bit belated, since he performed the repairs on my camera and lens last fall -- fall 2024.)
Scott did an excellent job. He fixed the erratic shutter speeds and the non-working flash sync on the CLE body [and also replaced the back door light shield foam]. He also cleaned out the foreign matter in the rear elements of my 40mm f/2 Rokkor-M lens.
I'm very satisfied with the repair work he performed on the camera and lens.