I was very covetous of a CLE back in the 80'S when I owned a Minolta XGM, and finally bought a CLE about a year or so ago. I love the similarities to the XGM and the DNA from Leica. A shame that the Rokkor 28mm had a flaw causing most to develop spots and fogging, but the 40mm had no problems. A better camera than the CL, and more technology than the Leica M included for many more years. Thanks for the review!
I’ve used CLEs as travel companions for so long. The best accessory for them are diopters or eyepiece correctors, for those with imperfect eyesight, like me. Sourcing them are like finding hens teeth; took me a decade of patience to find two with my specific diopter strength. But wow, what a difference it makes.
Shh! You are making the price go up. I heard the 28 f2 Voigtlander has quite a bit of distortion, is that true? I hunted the the Voigtlander 28 f3.5 down, and am very happy with it, fits the size of the camera well.
AndrewM haha I know it’s a bargain price at the moment hopefully it stays that way for a long time. I’m not too sure about the voigtlander having distortion I haven’t used it too much yet but. But I have been shoot a few rolls with it the last few days so hopefully I’ll be able to find out soon enough
Cosina made Bessas going for three times their value is the reason I hate influencers. Need more down to earth reviews like this with no clickbait. Also FM3a’s tripled in prices in a couple of years.
What currency are you taking about here? Is it AUD? I know things are a little bit more expensive there but all your prices are about three times more than what I would pay for any of these things in Canada and the Canadian dollar sucks Edit: nevermind. The prices are much more than I expected given minolta slr and other rangefinder prices
Love it! I've had mine for a few years. I just wish it had an AE lock. The 28 and 90mm lenses are good but there are probably better alternatives for similar prices. Like the Voigtlander for example. The Minolta PX range of flashes are also fully compatible with the CLE. They don't look as good as the Auto CLE flash but are cheap as chips.
No, Leica had not a thing to do with Minolta’s CLE design or launch, not even the newly in house designed M-Rokkor 28mm f2.8 or the updated M-Rokkor 90mm f4 as it was a redesign from the first generation, the only thing they kept was the original 40mm f2, all Achromatic multicoated. Minolta was far more advanced at Electronics when it came to Rangefinders than Leica at the time. I love my CLE.
I think if you want to upgrade from an x370, you should go with a Minolta XD or XE. The cle is a totally different camera with a different lens mount. It's a good camera, but it's a very different system than SLR. The only range finder that I have is the Minolta hi matic 7s. It has a very good fixed lens, but I'm not sure I like rangefinders. I need to explore with it more. If I get to like it, I might switch for the CLE
Thanks for this review. I was wondering if you’ve ever seen strange behavior with the meter. The copy I just acquired will sometimes not respond immediately to touch (in aperture priority mode). Also, it will sometimes give an immediate reading that is either low or high and then normalize after a second to the correct reading. Has this behavior been your experience as well? Keep up the great content!
Will H hmm no I haven’t had that with mine. Hopefully yours fixes it’s self. Have you tried it with new or different batteries. I always like to try different brands of a camera does something kinda electronically weird
Did you put a film in it when you checked the function? Not that many people mention anywhere but CLE aperture priority mode only works fully and properly when you have a film in it. It’s on manual too.
In the late 1980s-early 90s, I really wanted to get a CLE and a set of the three lenses. The kit in very good condition with its ultra cool custom carrying case pegged around $2,500 US. For the limited use I knew it would get, I could never justify the price. The CLE bodies seem to have held up better over the years than the knock of being "all electronic" anticipated. Unhappily, the white spots in lens coating problem he mentions effects all three Rokkor lenses made for the kit, so if you want to buy the kit today, it is IMO an unacceptable risk. If you want to buy a "better than Leica" M-mount body for Leica or M-mount third party lenses, it is a real deal. Pretty sure his history of the CLE's creation is a bit off. Leica and Minolta partnered to produce the CL, but it was by intent an odd ball re features and layout, lacking in some ways in order to not steal sales from Leica bodies. That Idea failed, so Leitz quickly killed the camera. In the partnership, Minolta got the right to manufacture M-mount bodies and lenses on its own (a one and only event), so it produced the CLE, being the camera Minolta would have made had Leitz not crippled the CL. It was the "Leica that Leitz should have made" and cut into Leica sales for its production run. I very much doubt that Leica had any positive input on the CLE bodies or the Rokkor lenses made to fit it. Leitz doggedly enforced its patents to prevent anyone from producing an M-mount body or lens until its patents ran out.
hi there. I am just curious about using a 50mm lens. I bought a summitar 50mm collapsible lens. Would that work with this camera? Rangefinders confuse me, like how could a 50mm lens be in focus if the camera thinks that it is a 40mm lens? thanks!
Hey they are a bit confusing, it works on distance so it focuses the lens to a distance and it is calibrated in the range finder to that distance. So if the lens focuses closer than the rangefinder can then the rangefinder patch just stopes moving at like 0.7 meters or so, and then lens will keep focusing. And so rather than the frame/viewfinder always being the same size and the focus moving like on an slr the frame changes sizes. All lenses are in focus at the same focus distance, like a 50mm at 2 meters and a 35mm at 2 meters are both in focus but the framing is different. I hope that helped a bit. With the 50mm if it works with the rangefinder and has the same connection then it should work but will be a pain to Frame up as you’ll be guessing the framelines
Any idea on how/where to service the CLE? I got a great deal on ebay and bought one of these beauties in pristine condition a couple months ago. It has quickly become my all-time favourite camera but Ive been told there are very few people in the world who are able to service/fix it so I'm super scared for it to break..
Flo We sorry I don’t know any specific places, I saw there is one in Japan somewhere when looking around online a while ago, so you might have to do some research online for it
Getting them repairs these days is alleged to be almost impossible. 20 years ago, I came very close to buying a "full kit", lenses, body, flash, shades, filters etc., all in a cool fitted attache case. Why not bought? It was around $2,500 US, more than my limited use plan would accept. Since then, the bodies are beginning to give problems and the lens coatings are failing. Glad I passed. (Note: the 40.5mm filters Minolta had Hoya make for this system are absolutely the best quality; for my Rollei 35SE and Fuji GS645.)
Jake FK you could use it but From having a little read online it will bring up the 28mm framelines so you will have to guess your composition a little bit
i just purchased a minolta cle with a 28mm lens. the viewfinder only shows 28mm framelines. will the camera automatically adjust the frameline, when i attach a lens for example with a 40mm frame? the camera doesnt seem to have the option to set the frameline manually
Yes the camera automatically changes the framelines. I’m not sure exactly how it works if you use a lens that isn’t 28mm, 40mm or 90mm. Like with a 35mm lens or a 50mm.
I was very covetous of a CLE back in the 80'S when I owned a Minolta XGM, and finally bought a CLE about a year or so ago. I love the similarities to the XGM and the DNA from Leica. A shame that the Rokkor 28mm had a flaw causing most to develop spots and fogging, but the 40mm had no problems. A better camera than the CL, and more technology than the Leica M included for many more years. Thanks for the review!
I’ve used CLEs as travel companions for so long.
The best accessory for them are diopters or eyepiece correctors, for those with imperfect eyesight, like me.
Sourcing them are like finding hens teeth; took me a decade of patience to find two with my specific diopter strength. But wow, what a difference it makes.
One of my favourite little cameras. I have 2 ! Great review
Shh! You are making the price go up. I heard the 28 f2 Voigtlander has quite a bit of distortion, is that true? I hunted the the Voigtlander 28 f3.5 down, and am very happy with it, fits the size of the camera well.
AndrewM haha I know it’s a bargain price at the moment hopefully it stays that way for a long time. I’m not too sure about the voigtlander having distortion I haven’t used it too much yet but. But I have been shoot a few rolls with it the last few days so hopefully I’ll be able to find out soon enough
Cosina made Bessas going for three times their value is the reason I hate influencers. Need more down to earth reviews like this with no clickbait. Also FM3a’s tripled in prices in a couple of years.
What currency are you taking about here? Is it AUD? I know things are a little bit more expensive there but all your prices are about three times more than what I would pay for any of these things in Canada and the Canadian dollar sucks
Edit: nevermind. The prices are much more than I expected given minolta slr and other rangefinder prices
Great overview of a seemingly great lil camera!
Great review, thank you! What color film are you using here?
Love it! I've had mine for a few years. I just wish it had an AE lock. The 28 and 90mm lenses are good but there are probably better alternatives for similar prices. Like the Voigtlander for example. The Minolta PX range of flashes are also fully compatible with the CLE. They don't look as good as the Auto CLE flash but are cheap as chips.
yeah an ae lock would have been a great addition. ill look into those flashes as well. thanks for he info
No, Leica had not a thing to do with Minolta’s CLE design or launch, not even the newly in house designed M-Rokkor 28mm f2.8 or the updated M-Rokkor 90mm f4 as it was a redesign from the first generation, the only thing they kept was the original 40mm f2, all Achromatic multicoated. Minolta was far more advanced at Electronics when it came to Rangefinders than Leica at the time. I love my CLE.
I've wanted a CLE for so long to upgrade from my Minotla X370. One day...
I think if you want to upgrade from an x370, you should go with a Minolta XD or XE. The cle is a totally different camera with a different lens mount. It's a good camera, but it's a very different system than SLR. The only range finder that I have is the Minolta hi matic 7s. It has a very good fixed lens, but I'm not sure I like rangefinders. I need to explore with it more. If I get to like it, I might switch for the CLE
Great review of the camera.
Also, sick to see someone from Perf on here into analog.
Thanks for this review. I was wondering if you’ve ever seen strange behavior with the meter. The copy I just acquired will sometimes not respond immediately to touch (in aperture priority mode). Also, it will sometimes give an immediate reading that is either low or high and then normalize after a second to the correct reading. Has this behavior been your experience as well? Keep up the great content!
Will H hmm no I haven’t had that with mine. Hopefully yours fixes it’s self. Have you tried it with new or different batteries. I always like to try different brands of a camera does something kinda electronically weird
Good suggestion. I’ll try some different batteries. Thank you.
Did you put a film in it when you checked the function? Not that many people mention anywhere but CLE aperture priority mode only works fully and properly when you have a film in it. It’s on manual too.
the lighting and tones are excellent!
That's an awesome looking little camera Lewis.
In the late 1980s-early 90s, I really wanted to get a CLE and a set of the three lenses. The kit in very good condition with its ultra cool custom carrying case pegged around $2,500 US. For the limited use I knew it would get, I could never justify the price. The CLE bodies seem to have held up better over the years than the knock of being "all electronic" anticipated. Unhappily, the white spots in lens coating problem he mentions effects all three Rokkor lenses made for the kit, so if you want to buy the kit today, it is IMO an unacceptable risk. If you want to buy a "better than Leica" M-mount body for Leica or M-mount third party lenses, it is a real deal. Pretty sure his history of the CLE's creation is a bit off. Leica and Minolta partnered to produce the CL, but it was by intent an odd ball re features and layout, lacking in some ways in order to not steal sales from Leica bodies. That Idea failed, so Leitz quickly killed the camera. In the partnership, Minolta got the right to manufacture M-mount bodies and lenses on its own (a one and only event), so it produced the CLE, being the camera Minolta would have made had Leitz not crippled the CL. It was the "Leica that Leitz should have made" and cut into Leica sales for its production run. I very much doubt that Leica had any positive input on the CLE bodies or the Rokkor lenses made to fit it. Leitz doggedly enforced its patents to prevent anyone from producing an M-mount body or lens until its patents ran out.
great vid, great pics!
hi there. I am just curious about using a 50mm lens. I bought a summitar 50mm collapsible lens. Would that work with this camera? Rangefinders confuse me, like how could a 50mm lens be in focus if the camera thinks that it is a 40mm lens? thanks!
Hey they are a bit confusing, it works on distance so it focuses the lens to a distance and it is calibrated in the range finder to that distance. So if the lens focuses closer than the rangefinder can then the rangefinder patch just stopes moving at like 0.7 meters or so, and then lens will keep focusing. And so rather than the frame/viewfinder always being the same size and the focus moving like on an slr the frame changes sizes. All lenses are in focus at the same focus distance, like a 50mm at 2 meters and a 35mm at 2 meters are both in focus but the framing is different. I hope that helped a bit. With the 50mm if it works with the rangefinder and has the same connection then it should work but will be a pain to Frame up as you’ll be guessing the framelines
@@lewiswilliamson2444 that is a huge help. Thank you!
Fantastic images!
Which is the best lens to couple it with the CLE?
The 40mm f/2 for sure.
@@viktorbjorkman5632 have you tried the 28mm?
Any idea on how/where to service the CLE? I got a great deal on ebay and bought one of these beauties in pristine condition a couple months ago. It has quickly become my all-time favourite camera but Ive been told there are very few people in the world who are able to service/fix it so I'm super scared for it to break..
Flo We sorry I don’t know any specific places, I saw there is one in Japan somewhere when looking around online a while ago, so you might have to do some research online for it
yeah the only place I heard of is an old minolta technician somewhere in japan! fingers crossed neither of us is gonna have to go that far! 🤞🏼
Flo We yeah that’s the guy I heard of, yeah hopefully they are solid cameras for a long time to come
Getting them repairs these days is alleged to be almost impossible. 20 years ago, I came very close to buying a "full kit", lenses, body, flash, shades, filters etc., all in a cool fitted attache case. Why not bought? It was around $2,500 US, more than my limited use plan would accept. Since then, the bodies are beginning to give problems and the lens coatings are failing. Glad I passed. (Note: the 40.5mm filters Minolta had Hoya make for this system are absolutely the best quality; for my Rollei 35SE and Fuji GS645.)
Do you know if the Zeiss 35mm 2.8 ZM would be usable on the CLE?
Jake FK you could use it but From having a little read online it will bring up the 28mm framelines so you will have to guess your composition a little bit
lewis williamson thanks! Wasn’t sure if there would be issues with focus or viewfinder etc
i just purchased a minolta cle with a 28mm lens. the viewfinder only shows 28mm framelines. will the camera automatically adjust the frameline, when i attach a lens for example with a 40mm frame? the camera doesnt seem to have the option to set the frameline manually
Yes the camera automatically changes the framelines. I’m not sure exactly how it works if you use a lens that isn’t 28mm, 40mm or 90mm. Like with a 35mm lens or a 50mm.
@@lewiswilliamson2444 hopefully adjust to the closest available frameline 😬. Thank you very much.
On-road Test with a voigtlander nokton 40mm Lens: it actually works. The camera automatically adds a 40mm frameline...
Amazing Video!
Your camera collection if fire!!
thanks so much. yeah the collection is getting there now
Nice review, thanks
Thanks for watching!
Looks like you’ll be needing more shelves for your expanding camera gear.
yeah haha ill have to sell some to fund buying more now
can this camera function without a battery?
No.
Bessa have smaller base length
thanks for the info