Leica CL and M lenses: does it work?

[Falk61462]

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I am considering to buy a CL as the least expensive Leica alternative to use my M lenses (CV 15/4.5, 21/2.8 asph, 24/2.8 asph, 28/2.8 asph,35/1.4 asph, 50/1.0, 50/2, 75/1.4, 90/2.8) with film. I am currently using these lenses on my M8.2. I am aware that lenses faster than f2 cause problems with the CL. Has anyone made any experience with using any of he "slower" lenses mentioned above with the CL?

 

Thanks and best regards

 

Jurgen

Edited October 9, 2010 by Falk61462

[veraikon]

It was a "marketing trick" from Leica in the seventies to annouce not to use CL and M lenses visa-versa (missing interoperability).

The limiting factor is IMHO the base of the rangefinder in the CL which is smaller than the M base, if you use you fast lenses (35/1.4 asph, 50/1.0, 50/2, 75/1.4,) not fast ( f 2.0 or F 2.8) there is no problem. The 90/2.8 is better used at f4.0

Personnaly I use my Summicron 40 on a M8 and a CV 4.5/15 on a CL - but I never used my 1.2 /35 on the CL - it would be inadequate (the lens huger than the camera )

Edited October 9, 2010 by veraikon

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[luigi bertolotti]

All of your wideangles ought to fit well... with some doubt about the correct metering (expecially the CV 15); in theory, there is no reason for even the 50 f1 has some problem; the 75 1,4 is surely critical in focusing, so as, probably, the 90 when wide open.

[veraikon]

with some doubt about the correct metering (expecially the CV 15);

of course the metering will not be ok. Like at with all 15mm lenses I prefere a light metering with a handheld meter.

[luigi bertolotti]

... and , Jurgen, when you'll have your CL... post also a pic of it with the Noctlilux mounted... I'm curios to see how the combo does look... (I suppose you ought to use an external viewfinder to use it... maybe even without hood the lens I think obstrudes the VF). I had a CL (but not a Noctilux... ) and it's so deliciously compact that mounting massive lenses on it was funny (I remember well the strange effect of the Summarex 85... , and with the telyt 560 + Viso + tripod you had the feel to simply "append" a small box at the end of a heavy equipment)

Edited October 9, 2010 by luigi bertolotti

[pico]

Sell some of those redundant lenses and buy a real Leica?

[pico]

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... and , Jurgen, when you'll have your CL... post also a pic of it with the Noctlilux mounted... I'm curios to see how the combo does look...

 

It would probably look something like this. The RF patch would be hidden.

[luigi bertolotti]

It would probably look something like this. The RF patch would be hidden.

 

WOW !!! Btw... engraved "Leitz"... so the 0,95 monster covers also the small "minolta" next to the Leitz name...

[Falk61462]

Thanks to all for your replies. Has any of you used the 50/cron recent series with the CL? Espiacally, I don't want to buy a 40/cron for the CL when I have 50/cron that should work.

 

@pico: I know that 21/24/28mm plus 35 are quite narrow. However I have been very reluctant to sell glass to buy camera bodies, with the exception of my Nikon gear when I went from DX to FX (full frame). With its constant appreciation selling Leica glass, regretting, and re-buying can be quite expensive.

 

Regards

 

Jurgen

 

PS: once I will have a good CL, I will certainly post a picture with the Noctilux!

[Xmas]

Hi

 

Some lenses will foul Leica publish a Cl compatibility list don't transgress...

 

The CL lenses and CL rangefinder follower are different from M lenses and M followers, this only affects accuracy of CL lenses (focusing) when on M bodies, I think.

 

For the CL lens you will need a depth gauge and some margin for tolerance of the arm as it swings, if it were mine I'd want 3mm at least.

 

The metering for modern wides (like the 15mm CV) is not a spot but should be reasonably accurate if you are not using transparency film, the modern wides have rear node points some way away from the film plane.

 

The wider longer focus wont work, especially with a hood, the rangefinder window will be blocked, (even the 35mm hood!).

 

The rangefinder (because of base length and magnification) is not that accurate either, even a film M is 'marginal' with a f/1.0 5cm,...

 

If you like the CL you could get it a 35mm CV classic in LTM, that should be ok, but I'd still depth gauge this first. Lots of LTM lenses are not as compatible as you might think if the camera body is not a normal M or Barnack body, e.g. Canon LTM bodies, it is not just a CL problem.

 

Lots of people use the 4cm cron as a lens of choice on their M body, it has a nice signature, many CL lens and body kits have been separated.

 

Noel

[roguewave]

Jurgen, I don't think you will have that many problems with your lenses. I have 2 CL's. I use them mostly to shoot in the NYC subways. I have used the CV15 with no problems. I have also used my 35 Summilux wide open without any real issues as well. Part of the solution is which films you shoot. Since I use my CL's in low light situations, I use TriX 400 or Neopan 1600. They are "forgiving" films with wide tolerances. The real issue is to test the lenses in a controlled environment so that you can see what & how they render. The larger issue maybe what kind of external finder are you going to use, with all these different focal lengths?

[Falk61462]

Jurgen, I don't think you will have that many problems with your lenses. I have 2 CL's. I use them mostly to shoot in the NYC subways. I have used the CV15 with no problems. I have also used my 35 Summilux wide open without any real issues as well. Part of the solution is which films you shoot. Since I use my CL's in low light situations, I use TriX 400 or Neopan 1600. They are "forgiving" films with wide tolerances. The real issue is to test the lenses in a controlled environment so that you can see what & how they render. The larger issue maybe what kind of external finder are you going to use, with all these different focal lengths?

 

Hi Ben, many thanks for your helpful advice. So far I have used Fuji slide films (with my Nikon F2) which are less forgiving. Given your comment, I gues that might be a problem with the CL. In terms of finders I have: the CV15 finder, the Leica 21 and the 24 finder and the 21-24-28 finder. I also have a Russian revolver finder with different length up to 135. I hope, all of those should work with the CL. If that was the case, I should be well covered with all the lenses that I have. Any experience with finders, you would like to share? Have you experienced any exposure metering problems using portrait vs landscape using ths CL? Thanks and best regards Jurgen

[roguewave]

Jurgen, the only issue I can think of is that it might be difficult to have to carry all the various finders. The CL is small & very light. That's a real plus for me. In the winter I can "hide" the camera in my gloved hand and I have tremendous freedom to shoot. The shutter is virtually silent in an urban setting. When I use the Summicron 40 wide open at f2, it is almost invisible and the small form factor & super light weight are perfect for me.

 

As far as metering, I always run test rolls with the various lenses & note the frame numbers in a small book, so I can match the results after development. The meter in the CL is simple, but accurate.To be perfectly honest, with the lenses you own & use, I would consider an M2 & a Gossen Digisix as a more long term approach. Yes, the CL will give you good results, but with the various lenses you already own, a larger body like the M2 or even an M3 might be a better companion, down the road. With the wide angles, the M2 is perfectly balanced and it is very stable in your hands. As you think about faster & wider lenses, they have a much larger size & increased weight, so the larger body & heft of the M2/M3 makes balancing the full kit much easier.

[gvaliquette]

All of your wideangles ought to fit well... with some doubt about the correct metering (expecially the CV 15); ...

 

My CV 12mm f5.6 works and meters well on my CL, with slide film, but the vignetting is really obvious!

 

Guy

[Xmas]

Hi

 

Some people use centre filters with the 12mm... and the 77mm filter adapter

 

Noel

[mark_pw]

I like CL. It's my first M camera. I also like the 40mm kit lens. CL is much lighter, yet still very solid and compact, than other Ms. I've brought my CL to many places in the world. 

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