🔴 Leica CL Film Review (aka. Leica Minolta CL or Leitz Minolta CL)(My Smallest Leica M Camera)

[@erichstocker8358]

I remember when the Leica CL came out. I was stationed in Germany at the time with the US Army. I found it in the post exchange for a REALLY good price (for a Leica) and was really thinking of buying it. I decided that its restrictions in the use of the M lens series was something I didn't want (my mistake). However, I understand that the Minolta CLE was actually an improved version of the camera. Minolta marketed that for a while after Leica dropped the CL. Minolta finally decided that there wasn't much of a market for that camera.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Erich, great memories. I have it but I still much prefer "real" Leicas, Leica iii, Ms, Leicaflex and even Rs.

[@throtol]

I finally purchased a Leitz CL camera. The film counter does not work, however, I roll most of my own film so the number of shots per roll is variable. Years ago, I purchased the CL 40mm f2 lens for my Fujifilm X-E3 with an adapter since I like the range offered on the APC (1.5x, or 60mm equivalent). I already own a Leica M1, but simply wanted a Leica camera for 85mm to 200mm that are difficult to use on the M1. I wanted an M2 but could not justify it. I also own several Minolta/Leica lenses from the 1980s which are good, not great in their performance. I figure that the CL will last awhile. I failed to mention that I have a couple of Leica IIIs and the original Leicaflex which performs like a true Leica.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Sorry to hear and yes Leica iii are still king for sure! I have a Leica R5 with counter issue.

[@highlander200107]

Hey Matt, great video. I have a CL, and I keep it in my weekend bag to go out to the park with my kids, it is so small and light that it is perfect for that. I have the Voigtländer 40mm f/1.4 Nokton Classic S.C. basically permanently mounted to it. While not a perfect camera, for what I use it for, it fits my needs very well; and complements my M2 & M5 system nicely.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

John Roberts Hi John thanks and big thanks for your support on Facebook too! Yes agreed it’s not a perfect camera but as you say it is perfect for some situations. I must try my Nokton on my CL when I need to do a low light shoot. The next video will be a film review :)

[@highlander200107]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom looking forward to it Matt. And you are most welcome

[@kevin-parratt-artist]

Thanks for the video Matt. The Leica CL, is little more than the Minolta badged badged item, the construction bearing no resemblance to that of real Leica M bodies. Fun to have and was a less expensive way to get a rangefinder camera with a Leica logo. Not being a collector, and with a bunch of Leica rangefinders from a Standard, through to M7 and recently an M-A, I hardly need it. That said, friends with that CL have reported total satisfaction with lens performance, and as you know, that's what eventually wins the day. Cheers, Kevin (Ohh... Ok. Drop it in the post and I'll look after it. 😊 )

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Ha thanks! Yes they don’t feel like Leica but the size and weight can be useful at times. VF magnification is rubbish :)

[@rikardlandberg]

It’s not made of plastic. Same metal as the Leica M5.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Rikard, sorry yes I made the same mistake with some of my other camers too. They just feel so light! Thanks for the correction.

[@Gerard-hu6kp]

Expensive too but frankly if you can afford one at the time get it I say and Use it _____as it's meant to be.

[@AlecLangton]

Thank you for the informational video, loved the content! Cheers from an analog shooter in Salt Lake City, Utah.

[@sergeytodoroff8813]

Thanks for the video! Could you tell which lens is currently on the Leica M3?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Alec Langton Thank you Alec! Great to hear my videos reached Utah! Greetings from the UK! Matt

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Sergey Todoroff Hi Sergey, yes it is a Nikkor HC 5cm f2 lens - I will do a new lens review soon to cover some of these weird and wonderful lenses I currently use.

[@sergeytodoroff8813]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Matt, it will be very interesting to see your new review. The lenses are really wonderful. I have Nikkor-S.C 1: 1.4 f = 5cm, Canon 50mm f1.5. Wish you success!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Sergey Todoroff Thanks Sergey, nice! I have the Nikkor SC in Nikon Mount. I hear the Canon 1.5 is excellent.. better than 1.4 and 1.8 I think. I have a few more partly finished videos to post and then I will try to get to the new 50s... though that might be a part 2 video as first I need to do another mass less video to introduce them :)

[@DavidHosten]

Hi Matt. I often look to your videos for entertainment and inspiration, so thank you. I don't think you have reviewed the Brightin star 28mm, but I'm thinking of getting one for travel but have never seen one with a Leica CL or Minolta CLE. If you get s chance can you let us know if that would work?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Hi David, thanks. Yes I know the lens. A bit soft in the corners but a great size. I’ve not tried that lens yet but I know it. I’ll have to try to get one.

[@kevincooper8666]

Good summary Matt but you sounded tired that's why you said the cl 's back opens like a slr's you were thinking about the Minolta cle I like the Leica cl in the hand it makes a good travel camera you can get away with using a 28mm if you use your imagination ,true you can't go faster than f2 for 40mm or f4 for 90mm but that is what it was sold with for the 70s it was a great little camera I would say the rangefinder is adequate I also have a Voigtländer RM3 but honestly prefer the Leica cl overall the RM3 is for sale if your interested

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks, yes this video was from when I was working a 40hr Corporate job and trying to out out weekly YT videos. I didn’t have time to sleep properly too.

[@MB-or8js]

Thanks for this useful comparison. I never worked with the CL but own the M3 and a IIIc. Exclusion criteria for the CL at the time when looking for options was that many CL copies for sale are either damaged or were temporarily fixed. The built style IMO does not justify the price tag the CL currently goes for. Leica III cameras are cheaper and much better built and useful. Btw, you can use LTM lenses on modern digital cameras with a simple LTM/M adapter for $10.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Hi Martin, thanks for checking out the video. Yes agreed the Leica iii are much better, that's partly why I did the video, to tell people as most would know. I didn't know of the Barnack Leicas myself (as in using one/ how great they are until the end of last year). Yes I use LTM lenses on all my digital bodies currently (see Flickr, everything is shot with LTM gear!) :) My only mess up was I was using 35mm frameline adapters. I didn't know they were lens specific! I have 50mm ones ordered now so all good. Keep healthy!

[@khanscombe619]

Amazing! This was so fun. I grabbed my only Leica (what I thought was an M3) off the cupboard, it's an M6 TTL & SF-20 torch & 5cm/f1.4 Leitz Wetzler Summilux of the 1990's . We did have the M3 somewhere. This is the M mount. I have M39 bits I use on my Nikon Bellows kit. To me it's compact compared to any Nikon Pro DSLR I'm used to, I have Voigtlander 4 & 5cm f1.4 but for Nikon F. I want the 2.8cm to try on Leica now3 but this film cost a bomb now. What is the somewhat modern digital version of my little M6 TTL? i'm new to Leica digital. I do have a small collation of M39 I wanna bring w/ me.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

The cheapest M digital is crop sensor M8, M9 with sensor issues, then M240 that I still use.

[@leslumieres1237]

Nice review, thanks! There is something else, as well: as the helical mount on the CL-lenses is "steeper", Leica/Leitz did not guararantee optimum focussing when using CL-lenses on the M-cameras. By the way, if I remember correctly, the CL was marketed as the feminine counterpart of the big M.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Les, haha yes I can see this being marked as a "girls camera" due to the size but it's nice for a small setup, just not super accurate with fast M glass (as you say).

[@Seeattle]

How is the shutter dial for your cl? Mine is too difficult to turn with one finger so it’s kind of a pain

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Hey Chris, I think mine is like other cameras. I don't have to turn it too much unless the light conditions are constantly changing.

[@timickan]

Thoughts on the CL with 5.6/28mm Summaron/28 external viewfinder vs. Leica MD (aka Blind Leica) with same lens and viewfinder? Thanks.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Yes good choice.. I love composing so as long as I have a good finder i'm happy. CL lets you focus but don't need to. CLE has 28mm frame. Check my TTArtisan 28/5.6 before you buy. Ignore the lens name, it will save you a lot of cash.

[@timickan]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom thanks Matt, already have the Summaron. I just working out of film body to do the odd street shoot with and this CL and the MD are available at the same price. I'm torn.- the CL would be more practical choice but the MD has the nicer build.

[@jls2975]

Old mercury battery problem (no ore available) with CL meter

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks, I think some companies now make alternative replacements

[@jacovanlith5082]

A Leica CL a joy for ever. Got a nice three lenses set now: 28 mm Minolta, 40 mm Leica and 90 mm Leica. And modified a Visoflex 90 degree. Bellows and Novoflexar 500 mm I am afraid, I am getting nuts

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

CL is great for stopped down photos. Absolute rubbish for fast lens portraits.

[@jacovanlith5082]

I never was in a hurry In the Sixties I shot with ORWO NP 10 > 10 ISO I sung: Slow down you move too fast @@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

[@brineb58]

I have the Japanese Minolta version and I love the 40mm lens!!! It is a really great budget M mount camera!!! I do tend to be and F8 and be there person!!!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Brian, yes at F8 on this camera it’s perfect. Great size.

[@richardclarke1693]

I just saw this you make some good points, however, I think you’re being a little to hard on the cl. I have one and actually find it a very versatile film Leica. In the day it actually outsold the M versions which was why Leica discontinued it.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks, I still have mine. It ticks the box for a daily carry for M glass but it's not typical Leica and the RF is not good enough for fast glass portraits. Perfect for small lenses shot stopped down.

[@rolfbecker3812]

Hallo Matt, thank you very much for your immediate answer to my question but I think you misunderstood the question. I have (and like) the old film CL and I want to know if its possible to shoot the Voigtländer VM 21mm f4 lens on it. I fear that the lens will protrude too much into the camera body and could damage the lightmeter arm. Any experience? Thank Rolf

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Rolf Becker thanks Rolf yes sorry I misunderstood. Yes the 21mm Skopar works fine on the CL for me. One lens that may not is the Jupiter-12 but that is unusual in its design.

[@zazek84]

Sir, remember there is a Ricoh digital camera with an M mount module that can take any M lens to a digital sensor. The Ricoh GXR.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks ah yes I always forget the Ricoh, thanks!

[@hoyinchan1026]

Thank you for your information! I wanna get a Leica CL for my elmarit 28mm f/2.8 ASPH and summicron 50mm, Do you know that is compatible for CL? I just found ealier 28mm cant use on it, but I still worry it will cratch my lens, I hope you can give me opinion.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Yes it’s fine. I use Elmarit on my CL 👍🏻 All M lenses seem fine for me. I’ve had no issues.

[@hoyinchan1026]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom thank you so much!!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

HO YIN CHAN 👍🏻😊

[@rolfbecker3812]

Hallo Matt, I like the CL very much. Did you ever try the Voigtländer VM 21mm 4.0 on it? Does it work? Regards Rolf

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Rolf, yes I probably have in the past but I tend to use that lens to shoot film with mostly. As a portrait shooter I often go for faster lenses for my usual work. It will work yes and great lens!

[@jacovanlith5082]

I bought my granddaughter a Leica CL. It is hoped she will use the Tri-X or a Colour 800 ISO negative film. And not use the wide apertures.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Nice Jaco! Yes stopped down these cameras are great. Just not fast primes.

[@henricvs]

I agree, the Barnacks are much nicer. Who would have thought such an old design was still superior.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Henry, yes so much better but I guess the CL is useful for a lightweight M mount setup.. though the Bessa T is better if plan to use long/ fast lenses.. ,much ,much better!

[@leslumieres1237]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom And yet..the CL was so popular that Leitz decided to stop producing it after a couple of years: it was seen as "friendly fire" towards the M-models.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

@@leslumieres1237 ah yes I can see that. Makes sense so they could protect the Ms

[@josephomalley1526]

The great Terry O'Neill swore by them and that is validation enough. And do more research Matt, it is not plastic.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Joseph, sorry I think I meant it doesn't feel solid like Leica M bodies.. yes a nice size and useful for some applications.

[@draganmikki5688]

Another rumbling woefully unprepared reviewer.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks, it was one of my first KZbin videos. I'll probably go back and redo the early ones if and when I catch up with the current cameras/ lenses. Nice little camera though, I still use it.