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Leica CL portraiture


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Is the Leica CL capable of shooting nice sharp portraits, using the Elmar C?

I mean that the 90mm rectangle is too small to be able to focus precisely.

 

Isn't a larger RF base like the M5 easier to focus?

Plus the M series but the CL take vf magnifiers. The Cl I am going to have to improvise to make an SLR magnifier fit on the CL viewfinder window frame. There is no magnifier for the CL, I believe the VF rectangle window is about 17-18mm long.

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I think the Elmar C is better than people realize. I have no trouble focusing on the CL, even wide open - since it is "only" f4 the CL can handle it. As for sharpness, here is a 100% crop from my Elmar C wide open on my M9 - the first test shot I took when I got it. (The EXIF indicates it was stopped down, but the camera was facing a bank of lights that confused the camera - the lens was at f4.0.)

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Edited by TomB_tx
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that's a nice crisp shot.

I haven't used any other 90mm lenses other than the 9cm, and the C is sharper, no doubt about it. However you've used it on the M9, not the CL. My question is regarding the CL's shorter base AND SMALL 90mm frame lines/ rectangle in the viewfinder.

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It's true this shot was on an M9, but it shows the lens capability better than a shot on film. I'd never try an enlargement to that degree from film. While I got the lens to use on my CL, I don't have any digital files acessible from it right now.

Remember though, the Elmar C was designed for the CL, and Leitz always said its focus might not be reliable on M models.

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  • 4 weeks later...
Also have a 9cm which will fit with an adapter on the M5 or 6.

And will be able to compare the two.

Will force fit a magnifier and see.

What aperture do you take pictures at? f5.6? Focussing should not be a problem.

 

My first 90mm was the f4 Elmar from the 1950s and quite good on film with my CL. I replaced it with an f2.8 Elmarit from the 1960s or so, which was sharper but bulkier. I replaced this with the later TeleElmarit f2.8, which was the sharpest yet and lighter than the Elmarit. I never had a problem focussing it.

I use it now on my M9 (I sold my CL).

 

I expect the modern f2.5 90mm Summarit would be better still but more expensive. Depends on your budget.

Philip:)

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No need for a magnifier, unless I find one real cheap.

Got a Leica M5 and will keep the 90 Elmar C on it all of the time. For wide angle shots, the CL will be more than fine with the 40/2 Summicron. Much bigger viewfinder with the M5, makes it easier. Don't know how it will work with the C lens, since it is made for shorter RF base. Will see.

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The CL is more than capable of taking very fine photographs after all it's just a black box with a shutter. The shorter distance between rangefinder windows could compromise focus accuracy but not to a major extent especially with slower lenses such as the 4.0/90 Elmar-C. I've used that lens a few times borrowed from a friend) and also use the 4.0/90 ZM Tele- Tessar on it with no problems. Having said that I'm not sure Id be trying something like a fast 75 or 90 (or 135) wide open as that may well challenge the limits of the rangefinder.

 

The 90 Elmar -C is a very nice lens, lower contrast and not as quite as sharp as newer lenses so is more flattering to subjects for portraiture.

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Yes,

it won't show wrinkles like a Tele Elmarit M would.

However, i seem to be moving very slowly as I first got a 9cm/4 Elmar lens which is even more soft than the Elmar-C. I managed to get a CL viewfinder magnifier.

I will try both lenses focusing with the aid.

Then I will compare to the M5 I just got.

I will find out :

if the CL lenses work OK with a larger RF base such as the M5's,

and if the Elmar C is sharper on the M5 than it is on the CL.

But also if the 9cm/4 is sharper on the M5 as well.

I am leaving the 40 Summicron on the CL so I don't have to change lenses while on the move but also find out if the Summicron 40 works well on the M5's RF base. This will take some time though.

Edited by crow
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Yes,

it won't show wrinkles like a Tele Elmarit M would.

However, i seem to be moving very slowly as I first got a 9cm/4 Elmar lens which is even more soft than the Elmar-C. I managed to get a CL viewfinder magnifier.

I will try both lenses focusing with the aid.

Then I will compare to the M5 I just got.

I will find out :

if the CL lenses work OK with a larger RF base such as the M5's,

and if the Elmar C is sharper on the M5 than it is on the CL.

But also if the 9cm/4 is sharper on the M5 as well.

I am leaving the 40 Summicron on the CL so I don't have to change lenses while on the move but also find out if the Summicron 40 works well on the M5's RF base. This will take some time though.

 

Well, I can answer your questions as can many on this forum. It's pretty easy.

Lenses meant for the CL have a slightly different RF coupling than M lenses and may not couple accurately with an M. M lenses work fine on a CL.

Lens performance does't change with a different body.

A CL will shoot portraits if you can.

A CL will shoot landscapes if you can.

I would do anything an M will do with a CL. In fact I do. I'm staring at one right now.

Pretty easy.

Phil Brown

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I don't think I am interested, or anyone else in this forum, in what you could be looking at in a specific moment.

I am not sure I got convincing answers as there are people who claim Leica Cl lenses were only said to be not compatible with other M bodies because they came out cheaper than the rest of Leica expensive lenses.

Not that you don't have a point, as it is logical that because of the different RF sizes there might be problems of incompatibility. Why then people claim CL lenses match other M bodies?

I have to see that with my own eyes. Takes time. Got a full time job. Time goes by so fast.

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Yeah,

but have you tried them your self?

I use both the 40 and 90 on various M models including M9, and have not seen any focus problems. I have heard many others report the same, and in spite of Leica's notice have not heard reports of real problems.

Perhaps Leitz mainly wanted M owners to buy more expensive lenses.

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By the way,

I got a diopter correction attachment especially made for the CL viewfinder.

I am not near sited so it doesn't work, but I have an idea.

I will substitute the glass with a new one that will be simply a magnifying one.

Does it matter how far away it mounts away form the real VF glass?

Will it work?

Purpose is to have a larger double image when focusing.

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