My first CLE + Rokkor rolls... [Archive]

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ishpop

05-30-2009, 20:14

I am so far loving the rangefinder experience again, and glad I bought the CLE. See, I started with a Oly 35sp, which was cool. Then a Electro 35 GSN, which I liked even more, and it sadly got stolen. Then I took the first step to interchangable lenses with the Bessa T and a Jupiter 3. Both were great to lug around, so nice and efficient. But man it was painful to use that pinhole of a focusing finder...

So finally decided to jump back in with the CLE, which has so far been a perfect balance of form, function, and ease. The focus patch is not always simple to see, relative to the GSN for example, but I havn't had too much issues except in real weird lighting.

Enough words, here's a few shots:

Ilford Delta
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3555/3506080009_512a62e85c_b.jpg
Ektar 100
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3355/3574809187_8113f0af72_b.jpg

Velvia 50
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3306/3575617600_9edc930dab_b.jpg

cribox

05-30-2009, 23:45

Very nice shots, ishpop !
I had a electro 35 GSN, very good camera but very heavy...
I love my CLE !

g12

05-31-2009, 22:40

Loving the colours on the Ektar...

John Rountree

06-01-2009, 07:58

You just have to love a 30+ year old camera that can still hold its own with any of the new whiz bang models. Though I know the story, I am still stunned that it took Leica so long to copy the CLE's features into the M7. You have made the perfect choice to get back into RF photography. Enjoy your camera and keep shooting.

capitalK

06-01-2009, 08:38

You had a similar road as me, I started with a Yashica MG-1, then moved to an Olympus 35SP which was then stolen. I considered going to a CL or CLE very strongly but I jumped on a Bessa R2A instead and haven't regretted it.

If I found a cheap enough CLE I would probably pick it up as a second body. Then it and the Bessa could fight over who becomes the backup :D

I love those Ektar colours. I should shoot more of it.

RayPA

06-01-2009, 09:15

Congrats. The CLE is a great camera. I've spend loads of time with mine. I recommend pairing it with the CV 28/3.5. It makes for an incredible street-shooter kit!

kuvvy

06-01-2009, 09:48

Nice shots. I too like the Ektar pic. Been meaning to try out a roll through my CLE. It hasn't seen use for quite some time. In fact, haven't shot flm for ages and now I'm using my 'new to me' RD1 not sure if i ever will again:(
My 40mm Rokkor works nice on the RD1 too.

ishpop

06-01-2009, 17:12

All I can say about the camera is it is EASY to use! I love that. No fiddling. Well, one minor complaint, the power switch is a little annoying, heh.

So far I dig the Ektar. The sunset helped, some of the pictures didn't have the same cool warmth. But it is definitely less yellow heavy than the Velvia for example. And Less Blue heavy than Provia for example. All in all it seems to be a pretty neutral and accurate film, which is desirable I suppose right? :)

KoNickon

06-01-2009, 17:57

ishpop

06-02-2009, 00:02

I do have to quibble with your comment about the focusing patch on the CLE being harder to use than that of the Yashica GSN -- man, I'd say the CLE is about as good as it gets. The GSN is simply outclassed, especially when the finder is hazy (which is the norm with those). I had the occasion to use both over Memorial Day weekend, and while the GSN can produce great photos, the CLE is just a dream to use.

Oh, great pictures, by the way!

That is the problem with memory, it is not always accurate. I suppose my recollection of using the GSN, prior to being stolen, was that the viewfinder was larger and contrasty. So when I picked up the CLE, I guess I had a weighted memory. But the reality is that It was a good year in between the theft and the new purchase.... :)

Here's a few more shots:

Ektar

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3657/3582580068_983b62cd9f_b.jpg

Velvia
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3362/3581770023_676a4f6392_b.jpg

Velvia, underexposed unfortunately, but I still like the composition:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3585/3574809827_caa4bfc0af_b.jpg

Koni Kowa

09-27-2009, 05:58

[QUOTE=ishpop;1064846]I
Ektar 100
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3355/3574809187_8113f0af72_b.jpg

I love this one. Congrats for your purchase... I'm waiting for my CLE, I'd love to find a good Rokkor 40mm f/2 lens.

MP/CLE

09-27-2009, 17:18

Wonderful shots and congratulations on becoming one of the Chosen (those seeing the light of the best non-Leica Leica ever made). While I appreciate the camera for the way it sits in my hand, the way it helps me compose and take pictures, what really makes me appreciate it is the final product...the pictures it helps me produce. Sometimes the best engineered products just can't get out of their own way, so I sold my Leicas...what was left was the CLE...and all it does is produce fine photos effortlessly...witness your photos...that ektar photo's colors are magic, and that bird is chirping at me!

nikon_sam

09-27-2009, 17:33

As much as I love Velvia...and I do love it...That shot with Ektar 100 is wonderful...

Koni Kowa

10-21-2009, 08:42

My first CLE + Rokkor B&W roll :

http://www.konikowa.com/pics/CLE/OO%23800.jpg

http://www.konikowa.com/pics/CLE/Malabar%235800.jpg

http://www.konikowa.com/pics/CLE/DisciplineMalabar%23800.jpg

http://www.konikowa.com/pics/CLE/Mustang%23800.jpg

http://www.konikowa.com/pics/CLE/Mustang%232800.jpg

http://www.konikowa.com/pics/CLE/Cuivre%23800.jpg

http://www.konikowa.com/pics/CLE/Rhum%23800.jpg

http://www.konikowa.com/pics/CLE/Lazat%232800.jpg

http://www.konikowa.com/pics/CLE/Barman%232800.jpg

Minolta CLE + Rokkor 40mm f/2
Kodak TMax400, Agfa Rodinal (6 minutes)
;)

Rogrund

10-21-2009, 08:46

@ Koni Kowa: very nice! I can see my CLE is in good hands... :)

Koni Kowa

10-21-2009, 09:02

Thanks Antti. ;)

batterytypehah!

10-21-2009, 09:20

Velvia, underexposed unfortunately, but I still like the composition:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3585/3574809827_caa4bfc0af_b.jpg

So, wait, do you have a meter problem then? I'm a sucker for compact RFs and I keep seeing this great work with CLs and CLEs here. I can't get myself to spend the money, though, because of the 30 year old unrepairable electronics.

+1 who's going to try Ektar 100 soon, by the way. Outstanding.

Koni Kowa

02-07-2010, 14:43

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2786/4338718388_f03d559cf2_b.jpg

:)

cribox

02-08-2010, 22:12

Tiens, un compatriote ! :)
Sympa l'autoportrait au CLE ! je n'avais pas vu ta série en N&B, effectivement il est en de bonnes mains !

Koni Kowa

02-09-2010, 02:55

Merci ! Comment tu trouves le 28mm ? j'hésite à en convoiter un... :)

like2fiddle

02-09-2010, 03:18

sleepyhead

02-09-2010, 03:29

Nice shots - glad you finally got a CLE.

I used one with the 40mm Rokkor for many years, and I have to say (having used many Leica lenses as well, including the newer ASPHs), the 40mm Rokkor really is a STELLAR rangefinder lens. It is way up there. If you like the 40mm focal length, it maybe just about the only lens you'll every need.

If I ever need to downsize to the bare minimum kit, this would be it.

Continue enjoying!

sleepyhead

02-09-2010, 03:32

Great shots all. I contemplated a CLE recently but went for a Leitz Minolta CL instead. When it came down to it, what I really wanted was the 40 Summicron or Rokkor (used to have a rokkor and miss it very much). I also feel strongly about not depending on batteries or electronics in order to make images. That said, I have yet to meet a CLE owner who doesn't like the camera:)

Just for the record, in my experience, a pair of S76 batteries in a CLE last FOR YEARS, and they are just about the most easily-available camera batteries.

But still, i understand your feeling. I also, generally, prefer battery-free cameras.

like2fiddle

02-09-2010, 03:40

Just for the record, in my experience, a pair of S76 batteries in a CLE last FOR YEARS, and they are just about the most easily-available camera batteries.

But still, i understand your feeling. I also, generally, prefer battery-free cameras.

Yes, that's amazing that a set of batteries would last so long, very good.

Finding a good CLE was a major temptation, but the practical side of me seems to almost always win (just ask my family), and so the mechanical model won in this case. I also like to make my own exposure decisions, even if they turn out wrong more often than not:o

cribox

02-09-2010, 12:49

Merci ! Comment tu trouves le 28mm ? j'hésite à en convoiter un... :)
C'est un très bon objectif, qui complète idéalement le CLE: compact, léger, il ne gêne pas la visée.
C'est très agréable de cadrer avec le 28, la visée cadre la totalité du viseur, et le cadrage est rapide et instinctif !
Essaie d'en trouver un qui présente peu ou pas de points blancs, il est assez rare dans cet état mais cela existe...
Comme ce sont les images qui parlent le mieux, voici quelques clichés pris avec ce bon 28/2.8 M-Rokkor:

Sensia 200 développé maison / Minolta Scan Dual II:

1
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4344596478_d546297b58_o.jpg

2
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2746/4343861069_32247ce6fe_o.jpg

3
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2629/4344598312_18776d2751_o.jpg

Koni Kowa

02-09-2010, 13:00

Then we really are neighbors. Nice pics. Thanks for your feedback on the 28mm M-Rokkor. ;)

Doug

02-10-2010, 16:53

Congrats, Ishpop, on the new rig and the fine pix. I too favor the Extar 100 shot of the dock, very smooth. When I saw your first shot, the B&W one, I looked at the beach and thought that looks much like the beach in front of the house where I grew up, near Bremerton. Then I looked upward and recognized the shapes of the mountains as the same Olympics I saw almost daily as a child. But from a slightly different angle, and further away... perhaps as viewed from northern Puget Sound, maybe around Everett?

Hope you continue to enjoy the CLE, I certainly like mine! :)