Got a CL!

[jtullar]

Well just joined the leica world by buying a cl, lovely camera... next will be a m6 or m7 :cool: Im Addicted already!

flikr posting in forums
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5046/5253918377_31cab952cc.jpg

[hexiplex]

It is a lovely little camera. I have shamefully enough used mine very sparingly since purchasing it last year. I find myself predisposed towards my M4-P. But every time I pick up the CL, I feel that I really should start using it... So light, so small, so inspiring. Much pleasure with your new camera!

[FrankS]

Congrats! Is the meter working? What's the lens?

The meter on my CL is dead, so I just treat the camera like a Barnack Leica (no meter) with a much better finder, and use a handheld meter.

[jtullar]

put a wein cell in it and the meter work perfectly! The winder seems a tad off but still works well. Lens is a cv 40 1.4 =)

[mathomas]

I have an M2, but my local shop has a CL with the 40mm 'cron mounted for sale on consignment. Every time I go in there I look longingly at it. I've handled it once, and it's a great little camera. Not sure if I'll ever commit to buying it, but I sure do want it.

[sparrow6224]

Mike, Obviously you have other Leica gear, but if you do get hold of that outfit you will find the 40mm Summicron one of the most startling lenses you've ever owned. It is one of the magical ones. Prices are up up up for them because of dimwits such as I talking about them all the time. Mine was lost in an incident better left undiscussed -- I have another CL but I await the opportunity to replace that marvelous lens.

[sparrow6224]

And, by the way, what are the prevailing opinions 'round here on the CV Nokton 40/1.4??

[newspaperguy]

Thanks sparrow6224, that's the question I was wondering about, too.

[Brian Levy]

Congrats on getting the CL. It seems too many owners treat them as collector items or too delicate to use daily whereas I've had mine for a few decades and carry it as a daily user and only one servicing. I have the Cron-C and a few friends with M series Leicas have borrowed it and compared it to their 50mm Crons and their opinions have ranged from every bit as good as to better than the 50mm Cron.

I've tried a couple of M bodies but after the CL they seem too large and bulky. I almost think I'd have to go with a LTM Leica instead.

Welcome to the club and happy shooting with it. A GREAT CAMERA!!

[jtullar]

Meter works pretty darn well. Lomo iso800. =)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5290/5315931404_ef05acd3ef.jpg

[filmtwit]

Cron vs nokton:

I've owned both 40mm Cron and the 40mm Nokton (Version 1 - or Classic Single coat). I found them painfully similar from f2.0-back. I suspect that the Nokton (V1) is the same basic formula. The Nokton below 2.0 goes a little softer.

I had a hard time deciding which to keep, but sold off the Cron with the CL I had.

BTW - I had time deciding between the CL and CLE, the layout of the controls on a CL was far easier and better done then the CLE, but the CLE was more versital to me. PLus I have big hands. Hope you enjoy your CL!

[Shane Guthrie]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/55242114@N08/5118553002/in/set-72157625247363264/

Well done 'jtullar'. The meter in mine works well too – very happy about that as I'd heard others had problems with theirs.

'filmtwit' – I've had variable results with my 40 cron at f2 – just need more practice I guess. How good is it supposed to be at f2 do you think? During the day at f8 it's just excellent for carrying around – doesn't stick out or take up much space.

[HuubL]

It's a great little camera. Enjoy it for as long as you haven't replaced it for an M6 or M7 ;)

[Shane Guthrie]

http://gallery.me.com/shane.here/100349/F1010010/web.jpg?ver=12907478700002

[gliderbee]

And, by the way, what are the prevailing opinions 'round here on the CV Nokton 40/1.4??

And while we're at it: how about the Minolta M-Rokkor 40mm ?

Stefan.

[tapesonthefloor]

Love the Rokkor (http://www.flickr.com/search/?ss=2&w=49677828%40N00&q=rokkor&m=text).

[Ljós]

And while we're at it: how about the Minolta M-Rokkor 40mm ?

Stefan.

The M-Rokkor 40mm is a wonderful lens. There is two versions: the earlier, for the CL, and a later one, for the CLE. CLE-Rokkor has later coatings and a true standard Leica-M-focusing cam.

The collective Internet- and RFF-wisdom :-) is that the CLE-Rokkor is possibly even "better" (later coatings) than the Summicron-C, even though it is cheaper on the market.
Filter size is 40.5mm, which is readily availabe.

Fully usable wide open, nice bokeh. Focus down to .75m (says .8 on the barrel and in the literature and everywhere on the net, but it actually goes closer than .8).

Greetings,
Ljós

[Ljós]

One more thing, since you mentioned the Wein cells: there are cheap (ca. 14 Euro/20 USD) battery adapters which allow you to use standard SR44 batteries in the Leica CL. I guess in the long run it is cheaper than Wein cells, and the availability is better.

For the US, I think the best shot is CRISS, and in Europe I can personally recommend Frans de Gruijter. Sources are listed in Nemengs FAQ: http://nemeng.com/leica/012e.shtml

[jtullar]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/55242114@N08/5118553002/in/set-72157625247363264/

Well done 'jtullar'. The meter in mine works well too – very happy about that as I'd heard others had problems with theirs.

'filmtwit' – I've had variable results with my 40 cron at f2 – just need more practice I guess. How good is it supposed to be at f2 do you think? During the day at f8 it's just excellent for carrying around – doesn't stick out or take up much space.

Thanks mate, i have a bit of trouble focusing at 1.4-1.8... so I usually just stick with 2.0.

[jtullar]

http://gallery.me.com/shane.here/100349/F1010010/web.jpg?ver=12907478700002

sweet! is this lomo 800 as well?

[jtullar]

It's a great little camera. Enjoy it for as long as you haven't replaced it for an M6 or M7 ;)

lol, im already looking for m6 or m7.

[jtullar]

One more thing, since you mentioned the Wein cells: there are cheap (ca. 14 Euro/20 USD) battery adapters which allow you to use standard SR44 batteries in the Leica CL. I guess in the long run it is cheaper than Wein cells, and the availability is better.

For the US, I think the best shot is CRISS, and in Europe I can personally recommend Frans de Gruijter. Sources are listed in Nemengs FAQ: http://nemeng.com/leica/012e.shtml

Well ill stick with the wein cells... they are 3 for $8usd so its not breaking the bank so to speak.

[tgon]

Congratulations on your CL. I hope i can get one soon too.

[honeyhype]

Hi everyone, I was hoping to get some idea of prices of CL these days...
I was just offered $550 for CL body only, great condition meter working.
Is this a good price? How much would you pay if it includes the 40/2 as well?
Thanks in advance.

[caila77]

Great camera for me...
I have summicron 40mm/sonnar 40mm and heliar 15mm..
Lightmeter works!

[Shane Guthrie]

sweet! is this lomo 800 as well?

I think it's Fuji Superia 1600. If not, it's 800. Had a lot of run that night.

[Shane Guthrie]

Can have fun taking it everywhere. Here's one out of a taxi window.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/55242114@N08/5374287291

[Shane Guthrie]

Why didn't that image show up? Forgot how to do this...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/55242114@N08/5374287291/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/55242114@N08/5374287291/in/photostream

[siracusa]

Congrats on your CL - a perfect partner for with that CV 40 1.4 :-)

[animefx]

I love my Leica CL, I actually have the Leitz Minolta CL with 40mm f/2 Rokkor-m on it but it's practically the same thing. I purchased mine off eBay last year for just under $600. I used it a lot on my trip to Memphis and got some of my favorite photos I've ever taken. For some reason there was a large span of time I didn't use it, but I pulled it out of my drawer yesterday and took photos in my hometown (Springfield, IL) and fell in love with it again. The viewfinder is a bit cloudy and the patch is a bit hard to see at times, but the meter still works consitantly and the lens is nearly flawless.

Having good film makes a huge difference, since a film camera isn't much more than a box. I refuse to ever buy consumer grade film again. Ektar 100, Portra 400, or one of the many B&W films is the way to go. I wish Ektar 100 came in rolls of 24 instead of 36 though, I "only" took 9 photos downtown yesterday in the sweltering heat and I'm anxious to see the results, but have a lot left to shoot... Good thing my step grandmother is turning 75 Sunday, I should have plenty of photo opportunities this weekend :)