Thinking of getting a CL

[mpw]

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I know the CL's go for about 2k used. Just wondering what I should look for in a used CL, problems, questions to ask a seller. Also what adapter would you guys/gals recommend to adapt M manual mount lens like Voigtlander lens on the CL  on the not to expensive side. Memory card/Card Reader....

Note: Would you recommend buying from Japan as they seem to have a lot of them for sale.

Thanks, in advance!

 

[GFW2-SCUSA]

I think the CL is a delight and think Leica made a really foolish mistake in dumping it. I bought mine new from a Leica dealer pre-COVID and use it quite a lot. I have never had one issue with it. It is a tough little camera. If I were to buy another one (it would have to be used, of course) I would get it from a Leica dealer who offers a warranty. It might cost a bit more than a private sale. As for M lens adaptor I bought a used Leica one. Again, problem free. Shop around, used ones are available. 

To put the CL in perspective, I also use an M10, M10M and SL2 (though not very often - much too big!) The CL goes anywhere and simply works beautifully with either M lenses or auto focus lenses. I do not have any T lenses.  As for cards, I use Sandisk (is that right?) and some kind of dongle on my MacBook. 

[mpw]

Thanks for the info. I am coming from owning the original Nikon V1 with 18.5 prime lens. I love the little guy but it only has 10MP. The lens is not manual. The build quality on the V1 is really good. The CL appeals to me because it is small, robust, takes manual lens with an adapter along with taking great images. I am not put off that it is being discontinued as all cameras have a certain shelf life period. I like slinging the camera over my shoulder and just go out shooting wherever I might venture to be. I was thinking of the Nikon Z6  which cost used about 1k less then the CL but it is heavier along with being not as classic as a Leica . The only draw back with getting the CL is the price plus some primes, and adapter. What 3rd party less expensive M -> L adapter would you recommend? So a total investment in a CL system would seem run about 3k all buying used. That is what gives me pause....

Note: my first camera's were manual SLR's shooting kodachrome 64 slide film. I still have my Nikon FM along with the Nikor 50mm f/2.

[David Cantor]

5 hours ago, mpw said:

I know the CL's go for about 2k used. Just wondering what I should look for in a used CL, problems, questions to ask a seller. Also what adapter would you guys/gals recommend to adapt M manual mount lens like Voigtlander lens on the CL  on the not to expensive side. Memory card/Card Reader....

Note: Would you recommend buying from Japan as they seem to have a lot of them for sale.

Thanks, in advance!

 

CLs go for about $1,550 equivalent here in UK.  I got one in as new condition for that price five months ago and am very pleased with my purchase.  Paired it with a 35mm f/1.4 and have no ambitions to upgrade or buy any more lenses.  As for buying from Japan, I wouldn’t but I was lucky in finding one at a dealer 30 miles away.  Good luck.

David

[LocalHero1953]

I had one for many years, and had no problems with the body or lenses. I liked it very much, but replaced it with the Q2 as a way of simplifying my camera equipment.

[wda]

Your starting point should be a trusted Leica dealer in your country. Makes it much easier for after-care. Register your interest and he should have one traded in part-exchange. Be prepared to wait. They are still highly desirable cameras. Don’t rule out TL lenses..  Budget accordingly and wait. Patience will be rewarded. There is a reason for scarcity. Existing owners are very satisfied with them.

[mpw]

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Thanks all for the good advice. The prices I have have been checking: Ebay, MPB and KEH. Patience is good. Just need to have some CL users dump their camera's for the Q system! The SL system looks great and the prices are good but they weigh so much! I will let you all know if and when I make a purchase. It is good to know that people still value the CL. The other option besides the Z6 is the Fuji but it seems kind of cheaply made and not in the class of the Leica's build and image quality.

[Guest]

Have you checked Leica Miami? They have a CL in their used section right now. Combined with the 18-56 you'd get a very capable all rounder setup, and I guess there's room for negotiation, too. Give Josh a call, they are great to deal with.  Re ordering from Japan, I've done that, without penalty or problem. Just be judicious who you order from. Great little camera, the CL.

[Le Chef]

You’re not getting mine! I posted in another thread that if mine were lost, broken or stolen, then I would replace it with another CL.

[tommonego@gmail.com]

I am also a CL fan, I have 2 TL lenses, the 11-23, a spectacular lens and a 23 f2 which is a very good lens, just not in the league of the 11-23 or 35 f1.4 but it is an f2 lens. For 35 I use 2 lenses, an f1.4 Summilux pre asph and a Zeiss f2.8 (another great lens), both lenses are small and fit the CL well. If you want to use M lenses get one copy of the Leica M to TL adapter. This allows you to use one of the wheels for image magnification to help with focusing. Good luck!

[Rusty]

I have a Nikon V1 as well and still use it with the 70-300 for wildlife. The CL is hands down the best and nicest camera I have ever owned in 50 years.

re lenses the 18mm leica pancake came with my camera and is the only Leica lens I have. I have and recommend the Sigma contemporary lenses. If you are a zoom guy then try the 28-50 f2.8. I prefer primes and would be tempted to stick to the full frame lenses so you can use them with full frame cameras in the future when the CL gives out. Just Google sigma L mount, I like the contemporary i series over the art series as they are much smaller and have an aperture ring.

[lct]

On 4/15/2023 at 6:52 AM, mpw said:

What 3rd party less expensive M -> L adapter would you recommend?

None. Non-Leica adapters are not 6-bit coded so coded M lenses are treated as uncoded with them. As a consequence, focus magnification cannot be triggered by the top dials of the camera. Arrows can do the trick though but are not as handy.

[mpw]

Thanks all for the good advice. The prices I have have been checking: Ebay, MPB and KEH. Patience is good. Just need to have some CL users dump their camera's for the Q system! The SL system looks great and the prices are good but they weigh so much! I will let you all know if and when I make a purchase. It is good to know that people still value the CL. The other option besides the Z6 is the Fuji but it seems kind of cheaply made and not in the class of the Leica's build and image quality.

[mpw]

It seems that everyone here enjoys their CL's ! Do you know when searching for CL's at Leica stores in the US does one need to search each individual store and can one do a 'global search of all stores? I am really only interested in prime lens not zooms. The Leica M to L adapter looks like the best bet to get but it is quite expensive! Yes, I am keeping my V1 as it surprisingly gets quite nice images. I am sure the CL is many steps above the the V1. I guess most people use card readers for transfer from camera -> computer. What is the largest print size one can make via the CL? I used to make Poster size prints with my Nikon FM which came out quite amazing. Again thanks guys for all the useful info about the CL. Note: I own a 1997 BMW 318is manual so I know German stuff is build to last but expensive!

[DenverSteve]

Treat the CL like it is still in production.  It is a great camera, and like all great cameras, they work for years, sometimes decades, after they are discontinued or superceded.  My typical advice is buy the best one you can.  Either find a new-old-stock camera/lens kit or purchase from one of the several shops (Leica, Adorama, B&H, Roberts, KEH...) that offer a 6 or 12 month warranty and buy the least used, best condition camera you can afford.  I purchased another new one a few months ago because the CL is such a great camera. 

[Stephencdean]

2 hours ago, mpw said:

It seems that everyone here enjoys their CL's ! Do you know when searching for CL's at Leica stores in the US does one need to search each individual store and can one do a 'global search of all stores? I am really only interested in prime lens not zooms. The Leica M to L adapter looks like the best bet to get but it is quite expensive! Yes, I am keeping my V1 as it surprisingly gets quite nice images. I am sure the CL is many steps above the the V1. I guess most people use card readers for transfer from camera -> computer. What is the largest print size one can make via the CL? I used to make Poster size prints with my Nikon FM which came out quite amazing. Again thanks guys for all the useful info about the CL. Note: I own a 1997 BMW 318is manual so I know German stuff is build to last but expensive!

I think this is a link/store that combines all the US Leica stores. I have drilled down to the CL/TL section. 
https://leicacamerausa.com/used/tl-cl-cameras/?_ga=2.138933619.1194111497.1681672448-683013834.1681672448

[David Cantor]

On 4/16/2023 at 8:17 PM, Stephencdean said:

I think this is a link/store that combines all the US Leica stores. I have drilled down to the CL/TL section. 
https://leicacamerausa.com/used/tl-cl-cameras/?_ga=2.138933619.1194111497.1681672448-683013834.1681672448

The price for the Summilux 1.4TL on that link seems high compared to the UK, if the $1,800 is net of taxes, it is even more costly.  At the end 2022, I paid for a used version, the equivalent of $1,360 including tax of 20%.  As new condition, plus all the original packaging, box, etc but no UV filter.  At that time, MPB had several CL cameras in stock for about US$ 1,450.00 including value added tax.  Interestingly, at the moment they have none in stock.  Good Luck.

Edited April 17, 2023 by David Cantor
Math check

[mpw]

Yes, for 1,300  to 1,450 USD that would be a great price. I have been looking and there are not that many around. The one's that I have seen are between 1,800 and 2k USD. I guess prices have gone up, I wonder why with people buying SL's instead of the CL ?!

[ramarren]

On 4/14/2023 at 5:57 PM, mpw said:

I know the CL's go for about 2k used. Just wondering what I should look for in a used CL, problems, questions to ask a seller. Also what adapter would you guys/gals recommend to adapt M manual mount lens like Voigtlander lens on the CL  on the not to expensive side. Memory card/Card Reader....

Note: Would you recommend buying from Japan as they seem to have a lot of them for sale.

Thanks, in advance!

I've had my CL since 2018 and have used the Leica M Adapter T (nee: M Adapter L) on it since I bought it since I only use M and R lenses. It's an excellent camera. I would strongly recommend the Leica M-mount adapter because it allows more useful control features with the CL than other M-mount adapters. 

I could consider selling the CL soon, since I bought an M10-R to complement my M10-M and don't use the CL so often any more. If curious, send me a note. 

G

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[tommonego@gmail.com]

If I am looking for a camera or lens I always start with a Google search, I then get the major used stores as well as some Leica stores.