thinking of a cle ...

[anerjee]

My main M body is the Zeiss Ikon. Recently I got my C-Sonnar calibrated to exact focus wide open on my ZI body -- so now it is effectively a fixed lens camera.

I need a second film M body for my 28mm Ultron and my 40mm Rokkor. I'm thinking of a CLE -- it seems to be the best fit.

What I am a bit worried about is the electronics and reliability. Anyone has any experience with both lenses on the CLE? Any other body worth considering?

 

[FrankS]

Consider the mechanical CL. When its electronics fail (light meter) at least the camera still functions, unlike the CLE.

 

[Scrambler]

I bought a CLE for use with a 40mm. I don't have a 28 but there are oddities with the CLE in that it uses the 35mm mount to display 28mm frame lines. Unless you have a native CLE or LTM 28mm you will have trouble.

The cost of a replacement CLE is not a lot different to a Leica meter repair so provided you accept that replacement is the repair method of choice I wouldn't get over excited about meters dying. There are older Minoltas with similar meter tech that are going strong.

Don't believe rumours that parts can be cannibalised from cheaper Minoltas though. This isn't true for any part you would actually need.

 

[back alley]

one of my favourite cameras…you read more about how they might break down than about them actually breaking down.

 

[pbo]

I bought a CLE for use with a 40mm. I don't have a 28 but there are oddities with the CLE in that it uses the 35mm mount to display 28mm frame lines. Unless you have a native CLE or LTM 28mm you will have trouble.

I have an M-mount Ultron 28 and use it with a CLE. It displays the 28+90 framelines pair as it should!

 

[Scrambler]

I have an M-mount Ultron 28 and use it with a CLE. It displays the 28+90 framelines pair as it should!

I suppose trouble is an overstatement. With a native 28 or with a 35 it will only show the 28. The CLE is designed to show no extra frameline inside the correct frameline with a native lens. It's certainly true that the m mount 28s show the same framelines as most other compatible cameras.

 

[bideford]

I was recently tempted into buying a CLE as a small travel option instead of my M6. Listen not to the soothsayers of doom - if you can find a good condition example and look after it then you are in for a treat. I only have the 40mm M Rokkor (not the 28 or 90) but have used a Biogon 28mm and the correct frame lines come up. Also tried it with a Leica 90mm Tele Elmarit (thin) and again the correct guides appear. I was also pleasantly surprised with the 90mm results given the shorter base rangefinder - focusing was spot on.

The 40mm frameline issue is well enough documented - as you have stated you want to use both 28mm and 40mm so this should not be an issue for you.

For me it's probably married to the 40mm Rokkor most of the time. Quality camera and lens for a very reasonable price.

James

 

[Palaeoboy]

I bought a CLE for use with a 40mm. I don't have a 28 but there are oddities with the CLE in that it uses the 35mm mount to display 28mm frame lines. Unless you have a native CLE or LTM 28mm you will have trouble.

The cost of a replacement CLE is not a lot different to a Leica meter repair so provided you accept that replacement is the repair method of choice I wouldn't get over excited about meters dying. There are older Minoltas with similar meter tech that are going strong.

Don't believe rumours that parts can be cannibalised from cheaper Minoltas though. This isn't true for any part you would actually need.

Just to clarify as I think you may have done in a later post, the 28mm framelines are ALWAYS on display on a CLE so it will work perfectly with any 28mm lens regardless of the mount. Its just the CLE 28mm Rokkor uses a 35mm type mount and when used neither the 40mm or 90mm framelines are visible. So when you do use a regular Zeiss or Leica 28mm lens on the CLE it will also show the 90mm framelines just like a regular Leica but even then the 90mm frames are so tiny they dont destract whatsoever.

 

[Palaeoboy]

one of my favourite cameras…you read more about how they might break down than about them actually breaking down.

I was recently tempted into buying a CLE as a small travel option instead of my M6. Listen not to the soothsayers of doom - if you can find a good condition example and look after it then you are in for a treat.

Its true that you hear more of the electrical problems from the CL user rather than the CLE users. And as mentioned the cost of a CL meter repair is not much different to the cost of a decent CLE. given you want to use both a 28mm and 40mm lens on it then there is really no other camera that will do this combination as well. The only camera that has a better 28mm Frameline view I would say is the Ikon and it doesnt have 40mm framelines. The CLE is a pleasure to use with those focal lengths. Its mainly the 90mm framelines being so tiny that do disappoint.

When testing just make sure the LEDs dont dance around. When you place your finger on the button see if the LED goes decisively to the required shutter speed. Also check that the flash trigger is working. They do develop dirt on the internal triggers and flash firing can become erratic. Make sure the light seals havent turned to mush although they can easily be replaced if needs be.

CLEs kind of plateaued in price several years back and have stayed there ever since, people are scared off by the electronic naysayers but really how many of todays digital cameras will be around in 30 years? None I suspect which shows that the technology in the CLE is fairly robust. In fact its way more reliable than a meter in a CL. Its only that in a CL it can be repaired for a significant price. If on the rare occasion that the electrics do fail its the meter only that fails. For some reason the electronics that operate the shutter keep going so you can use it on manual without a meter just like a CL! This is rarely mentioned, its a myth that once the meter fails that the whole camera then fails as the electronics that operate the manual shutter speeds appears to be separate and more robust. Total circuit board failure has been known to occur sure resulting in complete camera loss but its not all that common its generally the meter issues that are raised most. Anyways for your purpose it will be ideal, enjoy.

 

[MP/CLE]

My CLE has been functioning flawlessly for decades. And while it is special with the rokkor 40, it is amazing with the fast leica 28. I gave up my leica bodies and most of the lenses because when ever I set out, invariably the first camera/lens I reach for is the CLE with the leica 28. And I have yet to be disappointed in my choice. Funny how that works.

 

[kiss-o-matic]

Late to the party: My main body is a ZI, and I own a CLE. It's awesome. Really like it, even though I don't quite use it so much. It was my go to camera at BM this year (w/ the 40mm) due to it's compact size. I need to take it out and make sure it's still 100%, from fiddling with it it seems fine.

About how much do they run for body only?

 

[Addy101]

BM? Do you mean Bermuda?

 

[Jaans]

one of my favourite cameras…you read more about how they might break down than about them actually breaking down.

I second that. I had one for four years as my second camera and it always worked without a hitch.

However, I don't like the viewfinder on these as they are cluttered and small compared to the Leica Ms.

Considering you already have a camera with a meter - the Ikon, then I would strongly suggest an unmetered M4. The 40mm can be filed down to show the 35mm framelines.

 

[someonenameddavid]

BM? Do you mean Bermuda?

I think he means Burning Man

 

[Addy101]

Hmm, if true and he meant Burning Man, that would be a very marginal event to assume people on an international forum to understand..... The Zwarte Cross is bigger!