plasticman Posted September 27, 2010 Share #1 Posted September 27, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Encouraged by several other forum posters and feeling the need for a film camera that can really be carried anywhere, without noticeable bulk or care, I recently bought a CL. Precisely when (it seems to me that) Leica seems to be losing its way somewhat regarding its digital direction, I thought I'd write a quick note to say how intuitive and fast I've found using the CL, and what an incredibly great camera it is as an everyday carry-round. I've found I really loosen-up with it: set the exposure, push in the rewind lever, and if light or position hasn't changed too much, then nothing more needs to be done than just raise the camera to the eye and focus-shoot. It's always ready in this way, and because the lens has such a short focus throw, I've found that focussing is super-fast. This is also going to be my 'test film-type' camera: the first roll was Portra400 (which I never tried before - bit grainy in low light), and next up is gonna be some FujiPRO400. At some time I'll give b&w a try. A new sensor whenever I feel like it, in other words. Only problems so far: the focus patch isn't as high-contrast as in the M6 or M8 (to be expected) and sometimes the secondary image fades a little when light is only slightly low. The real newbie question that I searched around for was this: I happily loaded ISO400 film and set the ISO-dial accordingly, but afterwards realised that there don't appear to be incremental ISO stages. Can one set the dial to 160, for instance? Generally an awesome camera, I'm really happy with it. No news to a lot of you, I know, but great fun and so refreshingly simple. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 27, 2010 Posted September 27, 2010 Hi plasticman, Take a look here In praise of simplicity: the Leica CL. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Bateleur Posted September 27, 2010 Share #2 Posted September 27, 2010 ... but great fun and so refreshingly simple. Indeed it is! My CL is a trusty companion and goes places I would hesitate to take other camera's to. Regards Charles Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pop Posted September 27, 2010 Share #3 Posted September 27, 2010 The real newbie question that I searched around for was this: I happily loaded ISO400 film and set the ISO-dial accordingly, but afterwards realised that there don't appear to be incremental ISO stages. Can one set the dial to 160, for instance? The dial appears to be analog with something like two stops between each value. It should be therefore possible to adjust it to something close to 160 ASA. Yes, mine shows film speeds in DIN and ASA. Given the way you set exposure values, I don't think that you will see much of a difference between 160 and 200 Iso. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
plasticman Posted September 27, 2010 Author Share #4 Posted September 27, 2010 The dial appears to be analog with something like two stops between each value. It should be therefore possible to adjust it to something close to 160 ASA. Yes, mine shows film speeds in DIN and ASA. Given the way you set exposure values, I don't think that you will see much of a difference between 160 and 200 Iso. Good to know. Strange that the manual doesn't specify this functionality. Every time I pick up this camera, with its minimal dials, I seriously wonder why the D90 (for instance) needs hundreds of menu items to capture an image... (oh okay, and shoot video). Incidentally, I forgot to mention the lens - which everyone already knows is superbly sharp, with such lovely harmonious out-of-focus at f2. Such a marvellous machine altogether! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonycamco Posted September 27, 2010 Share #5 Posted September 27, 2010 i thought it was me with my d40 all kinds of buttons bought nikon fm 10 one button and thats for the shutter. wow!!!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted September 28, 2010 Share #6 Posted September 28, 2010 Just shows what you need to take good pictures can be refreshingly simple. Makes some of the obsession over digital "must-have' features seem rather superfluous! Enjoy your CL! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym911 Posted September 28, 2010 Share #7 Posted September 28, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Mani am really pleased you like it...I know exactly what you mean about loosening up regarding exposure setting... and the 40 cron is just superb as you ahve already found out..I shoot it at f2 and 2.8 a lot. Whilst it is not built like and M it produces great images and is very fast to use...some of my favorite images were taken with it... Plus the size and weight really does mean it gets taken along more often. If you get the chance put some Pan F through it and you will see just how great that 40 cron is:) enjoy enjoy enjoy andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
roguewave Posted September 30, 2010 Share #8 Posted September 30, 2010 Mani am really pleased you like it...I know exactly what you mean about loosening up regarding exposure setting... and the 40 cron is just superb as you ahve already found out..I shoot it at f2 and 2.8 a lot. Whilst it is not built like and M it produces great images and is very fast to use...some of my favorite images were taken with it... Plus the size and weight really does mean it gets taken along more often. If you get the chance put some Pan F through it and you will see just how great that 40 cron is:) enjoy enjoy enjoy andy I agree with Andy on this. The CL is just an amazing camera. I carry it with me often. I love the 40 Cron. For me, TriX is the ultimate film with my CL. The balance of sharpness with the beautiful grain of TriX makes the images feel timeless. Enjoy & post often. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezc203 Posted September 30, 2010 Share #9 Posted September 30, 2010 Couldn't agree more, the CL and its Japanese brother (the CLE) is an excellent camera! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
digbyhp Posted October 1, 2010 Share #10 Posted October 1, 2010 Ditto - I use a CLE and 40 cron, and they are a wonderful combo. The compactness and light weight are making me turn to this more often than my M7. The 40 cron is almost the perfect lens for me - sharpness, size and that focal length seems to be just right in so many different situations. Just did a roll in a dimly lit museum, using Tri-X, hand-held f2 & 1/15th sec most shots, and they just came out so sharp and with great contrast. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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