disconnekt Posted May 10, 2011 Share #1 Â Posted May 10, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi everyone, I'm a happy owner of a Leica CL. After 2 rolls of overexposed film I did some tests and figured out that my CL's meter overexposes by 2 stops. It used to work fine, and I suspect this may have begun when I last had the battery changed. I bought the battery at the Maison du Leica in Paris, and they assured me it was the correct voltage. Could it be the wrong type of battery? (I have a roll of film in the camera so I can't check it right now.) Â Or could there be some other explanation? For now I have the ISO set to 1600 for my 400 film to compensate, but if I ever want to use faster film it won't be possible to set the meter any higher as it goes to 1600 max. Â Thanks in advance for your advice! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 10, 2011 Posted May 10, 2011 Hi disconnekt, Take a look here Leica CL meter off by 2 stops, could it be the battery?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
veraikon Posted May 10, 2011 Share #2  Posted May 10, 2011 A CL needs a quicksilveroxide battery or a Weincell (1.35 V) - did they sell this to you ? The best is, you´ll post us the exact name engraved on it . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
disconnekt Posted May 10, 2011 Author Share #3 Â Posted May 10, 2011 Well I just got out my black bag and took out the battery, and believe it or not, there is nothing printed on it!! Mystery deepens... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted May 10, 2011 Share #4 Â Posted May 10, 2011 Put a 1.5V alkaline cell in, they are cheap. If you get a match to sunny 16, then the cell is good. If not, Golden Touch Camera Repair. Â DO NOT continue to use the cell as voltage drops off and exposures go bad. Â WeinCell, CRISIS adapter+1.5 silver oxide, recalibrate the meter to 1.5 volts ( Sherry again). 1.35 volt hearing aid batteries + O ring spacer. Â With wein or hearing aid cells, recover the holes when not in use to preserve life. Â Sunny 16 is 1/iso and F 16 in sunlight 10AM to 3 PM in middle latitudes. Google for rest of rules. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
01af Posted May 10, 2011 Share #5 Â Posted May 10, 2011 I bought the battery at the Maison du Leica in Paris, and they assured me it was the correct voltage. Most likely they have no idea what the correct voltage really is. It should be 1.35 V but most likely really is 1.5 V or 1.55 V. Light meters that take 1.35 V mercury cells are extremely dependent on the voltage being exactly right, so 1.5 V is way too much. Â Unfortunately, mercury cells have been banned in the Western world due to being environmentally hazardous (and people being too dumb disposing them off properly in the past). Maybe you're still able to find some at Chinese dealers; I vaguely remember they are still made in China. If not then you must resort to zinc-air cells (a.k.a. Wein cells) which also deliver 1.35 V but are rather short-lived after being activated. Wein cells usually are meant for hearing aids. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted May 10, 2011 Share #6  Posted May 10, 2011 A CL needs a quicksilveroxide battery or a Weincell (1.35 V) - did they sell this to you ?The best is, you´ll post us the exact name engraved on it . Mercuryoxide in English Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
01af Posted May 10, 2011 Share #7 Â Posted May 10, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Mercuryoxide in English And actually it's mercury, not mercury oxide. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
disconnekt Posted May 11, 2011 Author Share #8 Â Posted May 11, 2011 Thanks, all. I tried Sunny 16 and my CL wants me to set the aperture to 5.6 to get a correct reading. So it may be even more off than I thought. Before I order a Wein Cell off the internet (don't suppose I can find those for sale in Paris), I would like to verify that my battery is indeed 1.5 V. What kind of shop may be able to test it for me? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MPerson Posted May 11, 2011 Share #9 Â Posted May 11, 2011 I use the Small Battery Company's solution. Simple and more elegant. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
disconnekt Posted May 11, 2011 Author Share #10 Â Posted May 11, 2011 MPerson, thank you! That seems like the perfect solution, I have just ordered the adapter. I'm so glad not to have to worry about ordering expensive Wein cells and having them be short-lived! Thanks so much. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
isachsen Posted May 17, 2011 Share #11 Â Posted May 17, 2011 I remember fondly the CL from the 1970s. Is there any interest in getting a digital version of this camera - no auto focus, just the old CL concept with a digital sensor? I asked this question here on this forum a few years ago, only got a gruffy reply from one member. It would be interesting to hear what other members think about Leica re-introducing the CL. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xmas Posted May 17, 2011 Share #12  Posted May 17, 2011 Hi  Seems unlikely the RD/1, M8 and M9 are viable options you can buy, Leica may be developing a M10, more expensive.  Cosina (or Zeiss) might introduce an alternative, but might be cheaper and similar size, smaller seems unlikely, they (either designer) may be waiting, for contractual agreements they have for RD/1 to expire.  The Dcompacts wont want to delete facilities that (might) increase market share, nostalgia wont be one of the things they consider.  Noel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xmas Posted May 17, 2011 Share #13  Posted May 17, 2011 For OP try this  Leica CL  Noel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
underground Posted May 18, 2011 Share #14  Posted May 18, 2011 Hi everyone, I'm a happy owner of a Leica CL. After 2 rolls of overexposed film I did some tests and figured out that my CL's meter overexposes by 2 stops. It used to work fine, and I suspect this may have begun when I last had the battery changed. I bought the battery at the Maison du Leica in Paris, and they assured me it was the correct voltage. Could it be the wrong type of battery? (I have a roll of film in the camera so I can't check it right now.) Or could there be some other explanation? For now I have the ISO set to 1600 for my 400 film to compensate, but if I ever want to use faster film it won't be possible to set the meter any higher as it goes to 1600 max.  Thanks in advance for your advice!  I Have, and use My CL from time to time. I doubt its the battery(It May) My CL has corkey light meter in it, If i remember correctly the M5 has the same type of meter. It looks like a photo cell. I would think it would be a light meter issue, because I have read that the CL meter has had problems as time goes by. I have had 2 stop exposure problems intermitantly, but not on two full rolls. So thats why I think that it may be a meter issue.  Thats too bad you have problems. good luck  Dave Mac Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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