So how's the Leica CL?

Finder said:
And why do you think electronic componants wear out faster than mechanical ones?
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I'm not necessarily saying that that is true in all regards. My view is based on personal experience with other products. For example, I have a 40+ year old Buick, and I can still roll the windows down with the manual crank. I have had more than one car (much newer than the Buick) with power windows that have failed on me (both some sort of circuitry problem, or so I was told). Also, while I have seen many CLs for sale with dead meters, I have seen far less for sale with working meters and non-functioning mechanical components. But, this is all my opinion, and is not based on fact, and it may be possible that the CLE's circuits far outlast the CL's mechanical components.
 
For a frank assessment on the CL from a very reputable Leica repair person contact Sherry Krauter. As mentioned above your best bet might be getting one direct from her, or at least plan on sending her one you buy for a full once-over. She can likely give you some tips on what to watch for when buying a used one:

http://www.sherrykrauter.com/

.
 
Finder said:
And why do you think electronic componants wear out faster than mechanical ones?
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No, but on the other hand, in many cases when electronics croak many years after production ceases there may no replacement parts (other than perhaps donor bodies). Mechanical parts need more maintenance but are adjustable and, in general, easier to replace when they eventually wear out. I expect my F2 to outlast my F3 (though both may outlast me!)
 
My guess is from your post is that a CL is available to you. Being low cost (free) would make it an excellent camera.

Like Yogi said, "If you come to a fork in the road; take it."
 
Hi, dear friend. I recently bought a Leica CL, with the Leitz Summicron C 40 mm f/ 2. The camera is very nice but not is a Leica M5 (another coeval TTL meter camera). The finder of the CL is good and clear, with the indication of the shutter speeds. The rangefinder is rapid and accurate, as the TTL meter system (with CDS cell). The shutter is completely mechanic and the metering system is completely manual: the camera is very user friendly.
The body is very compact, perfect for the street photography. The Summicron C 40 mm f/ 2 is an ultra sharp lens.
The major drawback is the battery for the meter: the Leica CL (as the M5) work with the longtime outlawed mercury oxide PX625 battery. For replace the PX625 there are two way: an SPX625 1,5 silver oxide battery, that have the same dimension of the old PX625. Is sufficient alter the ISO setting, to compensate the difference of the voltage. As alternative, there is an MR-9 adapter, that allow the use of the 386 1,5 silver oxide battery. The adapter have a built in micro electronic circuit that automatically reduce the 1,5 voltage to the 1,35 voltage.
Ciao.
Vincenzo
 
I went back and re-read the auction type before bidding and found the meter and rangefinder were both broken. Thankfully I didn't bid on it!
 
Vincenzo Maielli said:
Hi, dear friend. I recently bought a Leica CL, with the Leitz Summicron C 40 mm f/ 2. The camera is very nice but not is a Leica M5 (another coeval TTL meter camera). The finder of the CL is good and clear, with the indication of the shutter speeds. The rangefinder is rapid and accurate, as the TTL meter system (with CDS cell). The shutter is completely mechanic and the metering system is completely manual: the camera is very user friendly.
The body is very compact, perfect for the street photography. The Summicron C 40 mm f/ 2 is an ultra sharp lens.
The major drawback is the battery for the meter: the Leica CL (as the M5) work with the longtime outlawed mercury oxide PX625 battery. For replace the PX625 there are two way: an SPX625 1,5 silver oxide battery, that have the same dimension of the old PX625. Is sufficient alter the ISO setting, to compensate the difference of the voltage. As alternative, there is an MR-9 adapter, that allow the use of the 386 1,5 silver oxide battery. The adapter have a built in micro electronic circuit that automatically reduce the 1,5 voltage to the 1,35 voltage.
Ciao.
Vincenzo
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Hi Vincenzo, there is a 3rd option ! Now are in the market some "GREEN" ecological PX625 replacement batteries, made without the (forbidden) mercury. I sell them, too, in Italy. Ciao, Luigi
 
And a fourth option is to have the meter circuit altered to accomodate modern batteries. I believe Sherry Krauter does that when she CLA's a Leica CL.

-Randy
 
Strongly disagree. I much prefer the mechanical CL. Battery cover on the CLE would sometimes fall off, sending the cover and betteries all over the ground. And of course, without the batteries the camera was useless. I ended up taping the battery cover in place. The averaging meter in the CLE was not as useful as the centerweighted meter in the CL. Further, the meter was not easy or intuitive to use in manual. Much prefer the match needle of the CL or the opposing arrows in the M6. The CLE has a nice viewfinder and good rangefinder but because of the limitations I see it more as a "boutique" camera. And good luck getting it fixed today...
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There is no way that the CLE's battery cover can work itself loose unless its been broken off. It has no hinges, it just slides to one side. It cannot be removed unless broken off its permanently affixed to the base. When the batteries are inside the nature of the sliding cover the batteries press against it and are always tight, even though i havent ever seen a loose one you would simply expand the internal springs to create more tension on the batteries. Where they do break is those who try to lift it rather than slide it.

The CLE is far from a boutique camera and far superior to a CL. Better finder. Longer baselength, 28mm framelines. Far more reliable meter system. Self timer, and aperture priority Auto and TTL flash metering. The CL makes a perfect 2nd body however. I prefer them to Ms. I like 40mm framelines and their more compact nature which is more valuable to me than the brassy smooth M feel.
 
Hub,

I missunderstood your first post, I thought you were getting one from your grandfather, not looking to buy one.

While I won't dissaude you from buying a CL, I wouldn't make it my first RF. I would go with a used M6 if you want a manual camera and Leica, or a R2/3 M or A if you don't need a Leica.

CLs are nice, but they are older cameras now, almost 30 years?! I love mine, but I have other RF and a bunch of cameras, so its limitations and probability of breaking aren't really an issue.

If I had it to do over I would buy an R3A with a 40/1.4 Nokton. But is it the same story as my with my wife, it is an older model than I would go out and get right now, but we have some history, so I'll keep her around.

Mark
 
I've got a CL, but haven't really used it yet - I got it in the UK just before heading off to Asia for a couple of months and didn't bring it with me.

But first impressions are very good - it feels really good, and certainly feels solid enough (though obviously not up to M series standard). For me what it is is a (relatively) cheap body that will take my M-mount lenses (well, actually, they're all screw mount with adapters) and which I can just carry around anywhere in a bag or pocket without worrying too much about loss or damage.

The only trouble is that I now, obviously, need a 40mm lens to go with it :D
 
Hi Luigi, i know the weincell batteries but i don't like very mutch this solution: the batteris are relatively expensive and less durable, in respect to silver oxide battery solution, at least i believe.
I have bought from you, in the past time, a Leica M2, a Leitz Summaron 35 mm f/ 2,8 and IROOA lens hood. Two years ago i have bought two LTM Nikkors, 85 mm f/ 2 and 135 mm f/ 3,5: both are spectaculars performers.
Ciao.
Vincenzo
 
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