 |
Any camera with the Leica system lenses will have great image quality... this is what the Leica M6 should have been, although doubts have been raised about the durability of the camera, due to the chrome-plated (then painted black) plastic body shell. One note - my example has a loose battery cover, which can slide open and let one of the batteries out - at 5 bucks a pop, not something you want to replace (the camera takes two A76 [AKA: SR44 or S76] batteries) very often. I've taped the battery cover shut, after losing a battery...
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I purchased a Minolta CLE brand new in 1981. There were some problems with it initially with rangefinder misalignment. Right at the end of my 2-year warranty, Minolta replaced the camera with another new one in 1983. I have had that camera ever since (34 years now) and I haven't experienced a single mechanical problem. When people think they have a problem, it is usually resolved by an internal cleaning, which requires no spare parts. Some of the parts of the shutter are also common to other Minolta XG cameras, so camera repair people may be able to fix a CLE from those other parts. My own CLE has worked well for 34 years and it is still the most advanced 35 mm film rangefinder camera you can buy, somewhat similar to the Leica M7. The CLE even has some features absent from the Leica such as a self-timer, an electronic cable release about 15 feet long as well as a short one, the ability to change a light reading in the middle of an exposure including a flash exposure, the ability to take a light reading without having to first wind the shutter, and more accurate shutter speeds. The three M-Rokkor lenses are lightweight and very sharp. If you buy a 28 mm lens, make sure it does not have spots on the rear element as some of them had this problem. The camera not only gets TTL flash metering with its own flash, but you also get it with the Minolta 280 PX and 360 PX flash units, so you have the option of a more powerful flash if you need it. In summary, I can recommend the Minolta CLE from my own experience.Read full review
Verified purchase: No
A perfectly formed rangefinder camera that takes Leica lenses (and other M mount lenses too). Really nice in the hand, great compact size with silky smooth film advance, rewind and shutter action. The Viewfinder is bright and extremely clean, most probably the best out there if you are using 28mm lenses. It comes with frame lines for 28, 40 and 90mm lenses. You can look up lens field of view charts on line to see how others would compare. From that I saw that a 25mm lens would essentially fill up the entire VF area (past the 28mm frame lines) and I use my 25 Voigtlander like that. A 35mm lens would encompass slightly more than the 40mm lines, a 50 slightly less. This is a really fine camera that is a pleasure to use. Just make sure the one you get has not been abused (the meter works, no corrosion in the battery chamber etc) and you should be set. I like them so much I have two!Read full review
This camera is incredibly good. I'm going to talk about the body of the CLE itself and the 40mm lens separately, since they aren't necessarily a package that come together. The body is fantastic. It's ergonomic and feels good in the hand. While it's not as heavy as some of the other m-mount rangefinders, it feels sturdy and very high quality. I've treated this camera gently so far, but I've heard that it can take a fair bit of abuse and still function well. The meter in this camera is to die for. I've been shooting in a lot of difficult lighting situations with various films (velvia 100, hp5, tri-x, delta 100, pan f 50) and all of these shots have been perfectly exposed. The viewfinder is bright with clearly defined lines. Focusing is easy. Everything is very clean here. The lens is the sharpest I've ever shot. As you know, the m-rokkor is a japanese summicron, and thusly you have a high quality for a fraction of the price. Focusing is smooth and precise, the lens has good contrast, and the glass is beautiful. I'm not too sure what else to say in regards to the specifics of this. I would buy both of these again in a heartbeat. It's been nothing but a joy to shoot this system.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
If you want to get into the Leica M-mount system, Minolta's CLE is a good start. As long as you can get one that's tested, and with a working meter, the CLE is a fantastic camera. Minolta's three Rokkor-M lenses are also very nice. The sharpness and bokeh of the 40mm f/2.0 are superb. As far as value goes, it's hard to find any other interchangeable lens rangefinder in the CLE's price range, not to mention the sophisticated electronics of the Leica M7.
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in Film Cameras
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on Film Cameras
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like
