bill Posted January 9, 2012 Share #21 Â Posted January 9, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) the M2 seems to be my number 1 right now too, but would you, just to make it clear for me, explain why the CL would be less appropriate for street photography than the M2? Â In my view, the meter in the CL - in any metered camera - is as much a hindrance as a help in street photography. I set an exposure value using Sunny-16 when I start shooting, and only alter it if the prevailing conditions change a lot. Â I have a clear and uncluttered viewfinder - bigger than the CL - which simply shows me what is in the frame and immediately around it - no distracting blinking lights, needles or numbers. The M2 viewfinder is, IMO, the clearest of the lot - 35, 50 and 90mm on their own, one by one. Â I use a tabbed lens, and keep it focussed around 10-15 feet, which I can tell by feel. The first shot in any sequence is "unfocussed" - I rely upon DoF to give me a result, based upon my experience. Shots 2 and 3 are "tuned in" - I adjust focus as needed. Â All this is quicker and easier to do than to say, but it is why the M2 is an exceptional "street photography" camera - everything that you need, and nothing you don't. Â Hope this helps, Â Regards, Â Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 Hi bill, Take a look here Leica CL. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Jaimiepeeters Posted January 9, 2012 Author Share #22  Posted January 9, 2012 Im hearing all worthy and valid pros and cons for the CL and M2. Fact remains that in these past couple of days, I've only seen CL with 40 sets for an average of 600€ and M2 + lens not getting below 1000€.  I understand that the M2 is a step up compared to the CL, but almost twice the money as well. While the M2 and M4-P (and an occasional M6) seem to be in closer price range. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted January 9, 2012 Share #23 Â Posted January 9, 2012 What lens do you want/need? If you want to start cheap and basic, look at an old LTM Elmar 5cm f3.5, or a Canon or Voigtlander 35 or 50. You can always "upgrade" later. I fear that if you go for the CL, fine camera though it is, you will be frustrated in due course and heading for that M anyway... Â Regards, Â Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted January 9, 2012 Share #24 Â Posted January 9, 2012 There has been a lot written about the CL, especially its excellent 40mm lens. The highlights I recall include the short focusing base, difficulty with the long lens and issues with lightmeter reliability. Â I use it only for a 15mm lens and finder now. To me, overall it is of of clever design, wonderfully compact, but not nearly as robust as a Leica M. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeverettfine Posted January 9, 2012 Share #25 Â Posted January 9, 2012 Another camera worth looking at is the Minolta CLE. Basically, it is an electronic version of the CL (Aperture Priority Auto) with the addition of a 28 frame line. Same size as the CL. The 3 Minolta C lenses (28, 40, 90) are M mounts. They are of very good quality and work great on any M body. Minolta made Leica SLR bodies and several lenses back in the 80's, especially zooms. The only drawback is those 80's electronics are getting a bit old. The last one I saw had a shutter that was locking up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted January 9, 2012 Share #26 Â Posted January 9, 2012 ... The only drawback is those 80's electronics are getting a bit old. The last one I saw had a shutter that was locking up. Â No electronics in an M2 Â Regards, Â Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeverettfine Posted January 10, 2012 Share #27  Posted January 10, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) No electronics in an M2  Regards,  Bill  Yup. One reason I have an M2 as well. Also, an M6 and Pentax KX. Long live mechanical cameras. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pop Posted January 10, 2012 Share #28 Â Posted January 10, 2012 For street shooting the CL with its "native" 40mm Summicron would be a very good choice. If you follow Bill's advice and expose by the sunny 16 rule, you would not even mind if the light meter was broken (which appears to be the weak point of the CL). Â For the lower price you presumably could live with the selected speed being displayed in the finder. Some even consider this a feature. Â The only shortcoming I could find was the short range finder base which makes focusing a longer lens a bit difficult. That obviously would be no issue when using the 40mm lens for street shooting. Â However, the camera's size (or, rather, smallness) is often a bit overstated. Its height and depth is about the same as those of the M4 or M6. It's the width which is about 1" less. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaimiepeeters Posted January 10, 2012 Author Share #29  Posted January 10, 2012 Thank you guys so much for your replies. I wonder why nobody mentioned the Konica Hexar, which seems to have an amazing reputation. And that's the one I chose. I'm going to buy it tomorrow for a friendly 250€ in mint condition (black version). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheekyguille Posted January 11, 2012 Share #30 Â Posted January 11, 2012 Jaimie, Â The Konica, well, while I never recommend K. Rockwell's reviews, his write up on this machine is nicely summed up. Â I like the Konica, but I wouldn't spend more than $300 US for it. If you want a Leica but are compromising due to a small difference in price I would wait, nothing else will satisfy the same way. Â Cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
storybrown Posted January 12, 2012 Share #31 Â Posted January 12, 2012 I think you'll be happier all 'round with the CL. Good luck! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaques Posted January 13, 2012 Share #32  Posted January 13, 2012 Superb little camera- very good Leica M deal if you can find a kit- The 40mm lens almost pays for the rest... though lately prices seem to have risen sharply... (people have discovered the 40 summicron. dang)...  one way of dealing with a large fast lens- whack it on a CL- brings the lens weight down and give the camera more heft- I like it- M3 weight.... In the 70's this rig would have been a marvel (I am shooting a roll- I will post a scanned shot here): Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/170019-leica-cl/?do=findComment&comment=1897034'>More sharing options...
Clickie McPete Posted January 14, 2012 Share #33 Â Posted January 14, 2012 These are small and fit in your hand so well. A fabulous and solid little camera that is easy to load and has a great location for shutter speed wheel. There are some excellent after market half cases on Ebay for it so you can hang it horizontally on a neck strap if you wish. I have mine in the Zhou half case but with a wrist strap on the right hand side. Fits easily in a jacket or cargo pocket. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted January 14, 2012 Share #34  Posted January 14, 2012 All above true.  Camera has many plastic parts starting to fail + the metering cell is old. And you have to deal with the mercury battery.  RF base length too short for fast lenses same as the Bessa.  Only frame lines for 40/50/90.  Not made as well as a M camera  Sherry at Golden Touch Camera Repair has all the spares. She will make it function like new.  I was never able to find a decent condition set, so I never got one. When new, even the cheap model was beyond my means. Have a M8, several film M`s, and digi Nikons now and no longer interested. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym911 Posted January 14, 2012 Share #35  Posted January 14, 2012 A very fine compact camera on which you can use a huge range of Leica glass.  I have used it for several years now and have had zero issues, no battery or light meter or focussing issues.  It is very well thought out and has excellent metering, a joy to use. I often use the 40 cron but also some older LTM lenses with an adapter.  It is not the build quality of say an M2 but a reliable little Leica that will produce identical images to the other film M's.  Here is mine with an old elmar mounted.  best andy Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/170019-leica-cl/?do=findComment&comment=1897630'>More sharing options...
bill Posted January 14, 2012 Share #36 Â Posted January 14, 2012 one way of dealing with a large fast lens- whack it on a CL- brings the lens weight down and give the camera more heft- I like it- M3 weight.... In the 70's this rig would have been a marvel (I am shooting a roll- I will post a scanned shot here): Â I'll be fascinated to see how well you can focus an f1.2 wide open on a CL... Â Regards, Â Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Black Posted March 4, 2012 Share #37 Â Posted March 4, 2012 Is there anyone here who could be so kind to inform me and advice me about the possible use of a canon ltm 50 mm 1.4 with adapter on a leica CL... Â Are there any known problems with using those lenses? and making use of the most large (1.4) aperture? and focusing? Â Â Thank you Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheekyguille Posted March 4, 2012 Share #38  Posted March 4, 2012 Compact, light and with frame lines to fit the nice 40mm Summicron. But, if the hands are used to an M body the CL will feel, well just different. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/170019-leica-cl/?do=findComment&comment=1944350'>More sharing options...
dennersten Posted March 4, 2012 Share #39 Â Posted March 4, 2012 and the CL vs the CM? Â It seems to me that no one is repairing the CM any more. Biiig drawback. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
aesop Posted April 5, 2012 Share #40  Posted April 5, 2012 ...great portable, (relatively) inexpensive, "everywhere" M camera with full manual and mechanical capability. Meter still works but is never used. This baby rocks on those occasions when an MP just won't cut it (and believe me, there are). Love it to bits. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/170019-leica-cl/?do=findComment&comment=1974574'>More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.