The CLE and LTM adapters

[bgetty]

Hi all,

After sending back a consistently faulty M2, I've become interested in the CLE as a replacement body. I've held onto my beloved Canon Serenar 35mm 2.8 and am wondering if I can use it on the CLE with a Voigt 35-135 LTM to M adapter.

Will this combo bring up the 40mm framelines? Will I still be able to use the meter? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[haempe]

You need a 50/75 adapter to bring up the 40 frameline on the CLE.
Meter will work, as long the rear element of the lens protrudes not too much into the camera.
I don't know about the Serenar.

 

[bgetty]

Thanks for the quick reply! Now weighing the CLE against the CL...

A related question: on the Leica CL, which framelines will appear with the 35-135 adapter mounted?

 

[haempe]

You may find this and this helpful...
Covers the most facts.

 

[Godfrey]

I've had both CL and CLE. Now have another lovely CL, which I much prefer over the CLE for ergonomic and feel reasons.

IIRC, the full CL viewfinder without framelines is very close to the view of a 35mm lens, so it really doesn't matter whether you use a 35 or 50 mm adapter. The 50mm adapter brings up the 40mm framelines.

(My M-Rokkor 40mm f/2 gen II is almost permanently wedded to the CL, although I've also used the Skopar 21 and M-Rokkor 90/4 with it. Something about that trio ... 21-40-90 ... just works so well for me. ...)

G

 

[kiss-o-matic]

I guess I'll bump this, as it's probably not worth a new thread.

I have a Bessa-R w/ the Canon 35/2 LTM. This isn't my main camera... it is one that won't leave me in tears if it gets destroyed, as I took it to one of the worst places in the US for anything mechanical. I plan to go back.

I really need Ae. I lost shots b/c people are so impatient, and I'm not thrilled w/ the ergonomics on the Bessa-R (or the 35/2 for that matter). So, I've been hunting for a Bessa R2A. First idea was to sell the LTM 35/2 and get a fast 35mm in M-Mount that isn't too pricey. Well, that has proven to be somewhat impossible. R2As for what I think are a fair price aren't super plentiful either. Searching around, the CLE + Rokkor 40 is definitely a contender. Can get the combo for < $600, and have heard nothing but awesomeness about it. However, I have 2 40mm Yashica Electros that I use somewhat regularly, and a 50mm on another body. Was really hoping for 35mm. Can anyone comment on using an LTM->M adapter w/ the aforementioned lens, and any goofiness if any involved in shooting 35mm on 40mm framelines? Something to just get used to? this is the best image of the CLE finder I could find.

EDIT: Found this thread which is somewhat reassuring, but maybe someone has something to add from the last 4 years. 🙂

 

[Scrambler]

I can't say I've shot much with the CLE and 35mm - I haven't had the CLE for long and I tend to use it with a 40mm. The 35mm shoots outside the frameline, but there is also a 28mm frameline at the same time, so estimation isn't too difficult.

I had a close call with my CLE failing to wind on properly (due to a shutter jam) and I found there is no-one, worldwide, who works on them. If you get one, you need to be prepared to throw it in a bin if it breaks.

My other M camera is a Hexar RF, which is quick to use, but quite a different feel to a Bessa or CLE. And you would spend about $600 on the body alone.

Compared to the Bessa R (which I also have), the CLE is less "clacky" and the AE is certainly quick. There's a similar lightweight feel.

If using LTM lenses you can chose your framelines as you know.

Given this is to get a good but ultimately disposable camera with faster exposure times, have you considered pre-metering and using the Bessa-R? Using an incident meter would let you set-and-forget the shutter, possibly fine-tuning aperture if the light changes or you are shooting a different angle. TTL metering still requires interpretation, and the CLE is a fiddle to get the +/- 2 stop compensation. And there's no exposure lock, unlike the Bessar R2a, Hexar, etc.

 

[Scrambler]

Re the CL/CLE frame lines: both have a "default" frameline permanently present: for the CL this is the 40mm and for the CLE the 28mm. These correspond to the 35/135 adapter for an M leica. The next tighter framelines (50/40 respectively) are brought up by the 50/75mm adapter but the wider lines do not disappear, the same happens for the 90mm framelines. This way a Leica 28mm mounted to a CLE has the same framelines (28 and 90) that it would on a Leica, but a CLE 28mm (rokkor-m) will bring up 35mm framelines on an M-Leica.

 

[Iestrada]

Just confirming what has been mentioned. The 35-135 adapter brings does not bring up the 40mm frame lines. But the 28 mm frame lines are always present. The 50-75 adapter does bring up the 40mm frame lines. I just tried both adapters with my 35mm canon serenar on my CLE. Absolutely zero problem with either in any way.

 

[kiss-o-matic]

I had a close call with my CLE failing to wind on properly (due to a shutter jam) and I found there is no-one, worldwide, who works on them. If you get one, you need to be prepared to throw it in a bin if it breaks.

Yeah, I am. There are actually a few places here that can probably do at least something. I've had some old minolta lenses fixed after the shops laughed me out of the room when I asked. But, alas, I would probably cut my losses.

If using LTM lenses you can chose your framelines as you know.

I've actually done no research on this, to be honest. Just Googling a bit is what opened this up as a possibility.

Given this is to get a good but ultimately disposable camera with faster exposure times, have you considered pre-metering and using the Bessa-R? Using an incident meter would let you set-and-forget the shutter, possibly fine-tuning aperture if the light changes or you are shooting a different angle.

I actually tried this. For this particular event, I'm actually some what in the middle of the action... not necessarily enjoying from afar. When I use the Bessa-R, I generally set the shutter to what I want considering the light conditions, and tweak the aperture ring until I hit gold. I don't really like shooting this way. I still missed shots. There was alcohol involved... and there will be next time. 🙂 Also, I would like to use this on the street here if possible. I really need Ae for that. Again, I miss shots without it. My shooting style for candid could be described as "hiding in plain view" (I'm 6'3" w/ Jesus-y hair). The focus is already manual, so I don't have too much time to mess w/ the metering.

The 50-75 adapter does bring up the 40mm frame lines.

It sounds like I would want this one then, as they're closer to 35, assuming I actually go that route. Now, to find an adapter. I've been told to avoid the cheapies... but that seems to be all I can find on the Japanese internets. There's actually a Leica shop not too far away. Might buzz them.

 

[Scrambler]

You can get quality adapters from "the chief bartender." I've had not trouble with the cheapies - but I do make sure I get brass not aluminium.

It sounds like you would be happy with a CLE but make sure you have a warranty/ right of return particularly if buying sight unseen.

At least you should be able to find one for sale in Tokyo 🙂

 

[kiss-o-matic]

Is "the chief bartender" a member, or am I missing something that only I would know from a higher post count? 😀

The other thing I'm thinking that may be awesome on a CLE that none of the Bessas offer: TTL Flash metering. I need to noodle this b/c I think that might be the clencher for me. I don't use flash that often, but when I do, I don't want to have to do A Beautiful Mind equations in my head. Yes, I know that's dramatic, but it feels like that.

I'm not overly bothered about the condition/warranty. Japanese sellers are pretty anal about condition. Yeah, they're not perfect and I've gotten a few camera-related items that were not up to snuff, but they are very few. If I don't want to buy from an individual, I can pay another $50-$100 and go the store route, which usually offers a warranty for 3 to 6 months.

I'm not in any rush which is nice as I can wait for a good deal... just gotta get my plan laid out.

 

[jonmanjiro]

CameraQuest

Actually its the "Head Bartender" 😉

 

[Scrambler]

CameraQuest

Actually its the "Head Bartender" 😉

My bad. :angel:

 

[kiss-o-matic]

Ah, yeah -- I reference CQ a lot. 😉
Cheers.