Photographing with the Leica CL

[@CM_7]

Just reviewed this clip four years after its release. I own a CL, am always thinking about somehow upgrading but then can never decide exactly how and why. So I just keep shooting my CL, and just got the 55-135 mm lens 🎉

[@greggles69]

Nice review. One minor point: the CL body is not polycarbonate as stated. It’s actually made of magnesium, sandwiched between anodised aluminium top and bottom panels (rather like the SL2)

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Ha, caught me out, you are quite correct! I'd go back and fix it but KZbin does not allow this. One has to delete and start again. Thanks for the feedback.

[@GFWeld]

Hello from the U.S. I have become a fan of your programs. They are calm, fun and very solid. I was very happy to see the CL as I have one which I use along with my M-10. The CL lets me use my M lenses (with the adaptor) which I really like. I find the combination of the two cameras the best of both worlds. I only have the little 18mm CL lens at this point but you (along with my friends at Leica Miami) are causing me to think maybe just one more CL lens... Thanks very much for the programs.

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Our pleasure!

[@absonus]

Hi from the UK . M user with M lenses and just bought a CL . Couldn`t be more pleased . Your presentation has shown that the CL native lenses are just as "good " as the M glass.

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Hi Michael. It's true - you should see the prints on the wall on the Melbourne Gallery. Next time you are passing!

[@tashihishey34]

Sold! Nick thank you for raining on my parade. I've been a Nikon guy and I felt something was missing in my photos. That something was that Leica look! So here I go buying the CL with of course the 35mm 1.4 summilux.

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Fantastic! You'll not regret it.

[@johnkasianowicz6536]

I had a digital CL and gave it (with three TL lenses) to someone. I bought a second one and have all the TL lenses, plus an M adapter-L. I love that camera. It produces fine images and is so compact, there’s no reason to leave home without it. I recently used the CL (and a Godox V1N flash unit) for a photo shoot I did at no charge for a volunteer organization. I could have brought my Leica SL2, or M11, but the little CL was perfect for the job. I subsequently picked up a Leica SF40 flash unit. It’s relatively expensive, but fits the CL perfectly. It cannot be triggered remotely with the Leica SF C1, but can be triggered by the light from another flash.

[@beatlehmann8344]

Great shots, especially of the Woodford Folk Festival for me personally, as I was the choir director on stage at the fire event you took the shots of. I'm also a Leica CL shooter as of recently and absolutely adore the camera for its simplicity and compactness. Like you I have shot with many a camera, but the CL has something special that just wants you to use it - and what more could you ask for in a camera. Thanks for the great video, much appreciated!.

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

That fire event was truly amazing! Well done indeed, I look forward to seeing it again one day.

[@cfagil]

Love your photos you took with the Leica 55-135mm. Just bougt one. Can't wait to take some shots with it!

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@tedbahas]

I have a CL and a SL and I still use the CL more especial with M lenses. It has an amazing form factor. The IQ is almost the same as my SL. I cant see the difference.

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Hi Ted. The CL is the great 'secret' of the Leica range - it's way better than people think it should be.

[@tedbahas]

@@LeicaCameraAustralia agreed it just delivers great results with no fuss. I really like the changes from the latest firmware. Big increase in usability with the new control panel. I hope they bring that to the 601 as well.

[@carstenklein7110]

❤❤❤the Videos from Leica Australia are much better then from germany !! My englisch is not good, but i can understand you much enough. I missend to buy the cl (to small), but now i am searching for one. Thank you for your videos and greets from germany. Carsten Villa Petersberg

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Glad you like them!

[@jacovanlith5082]

My Leica CL has no display and stops after 36 exposures. I think I am in the wrong class room; like I was in 1965. I forgot to count the number of cameras I shot with. The smallest camera format was 18 x 24 mm and the biggest was 18 x 24 cm. When I was young the Leica photographer were very impressive; they showed sharp and big size prints. Theiy had bright Leitz projectors with Kodochrome 25 and Agfa CT 18 slides; in carton frames and in Swiss made Perrot Colour aluminium frames. After the show we start talking on the quality of Leitz. Those were the days.

[@goldfinch2283]

another great video! Thanks Nick!👍 I have the SL2 and the CL and I share your thoughts on this camera. BTW, I love to use the M-lenses on the CL.

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Hi Martin. I love using mechanical lenses too, I also have some R-Series lenses. I like being more 'connected' to the focus point. Having said that, AF is sure convenient!

[@christianwagner6213]

Thanks for this great balanced video. I own a CL myself and I use it far more than my SL2-S, due to its size. I took your statement that APS-C is in no way inferior to full frame. Even more saddening that Leica took the decision to abandon APS-C, while Fujifilm, Nikon and Canon are shelling out more and more APS-C cameras. I understand Leica is a relatively small company, and I understand that sometimes tough strategic decisions need to be taken, but in my eye that was the absolutely wrong one!

[@tpf4292]

i wish Leica could upgrade the intro level cameras more frequently, like the D-lux and V-lux, D-lux was my first Leica absolutely love it

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

I hope so too

[@yopuivideo]

@@LeicaCameraAustralia Leica should just hand our DLux cameras. They are just a Leica gateway drug. I love mine but of course I am upgrading to a CL now! I didn't even make a year!

[@rolloffilm1996]

All D Lux is very cool for me)

[@j.f.7509]

Beautiful photography!

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Glad you think so!

[@woutdezeeuw1604]

Thank you for sharing those wonderful images with all the different lenses. I just ordered my first CL with the 18mm kit and the 11-23 mm zoom, and I'm afraid I'm going to need to buy a few more later on judging by your photos. I'll have to make do with my M lenses for the time being.

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

The 50mm Summilux-M lens makes a great portrait lens on the CL. And the 35mm Summilux-TL is awesome too.

[@christianwagner6213]

I have a Nikon Z F right next to me. Basically a no brainer, awesome autofocus, insane IBIS possibilities, excellent pictures. But ... my CL takes most of my pictures. Why is that? Small and light, and - main point - easy and intuitive to operate. What a pity that Leica threw their APS-C line into the bin.

[@gerryphillipson]

Hi, Nik, I've watched this video twice to get a better understanding of the camera. Could you please comment on the lack of IBIS in the camera and lenses. Your images show no hint of this being a problem. Any tips for achieving image quality without IBIS. Gerry

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

IBIS only helps reduce camera shake. It has no effect on subject movement. Using a suitably fast shutter speed is the key. Choose a high shutter speed over low ISO every time.

[@gerryphillipson]

@@LeicaCameraAustralia Many thanks, it's the camera shake that was concerning me. Stay well.

[@samatkinsphotography]

These photo series episodes you’ve been posting have been wonderful. I’ve just purchased a Noct .95 50mm to use with my M10-D. I’m interested in trying out M lenses on a CL especially the Noct - Do you have one of those type of videos coming up at all?

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Hi Sam. I plan to do a series on different lenses, and no doubt the Noctis will be in there! The 50mm Noctilux on the CL would be good, easier to focus and you get a 75mm f0.95!

[@cfagil]

Love my CL and the small TL lenses by both Leica and Sigma. Not sure about the hand grip. Bought one and found it very uncomfortable. Also not practical with it blocking the battery and sd access. Hence, returned it. Perhaps that might explained Leica did not do a hand clip for their good old screw mount IIIa, b, c,f or g bodies. Will I use it for birds in flight- No.

[@duenenchiller]

Thank you! I am a great fan of the cl too!

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

The best!

[@tpf4292]

Your tips are the most helpful I can find on KZbin, so thank you for that! I do have a technical question though, under what circumstances would image stabilization could start to make a difference (other than night shots)? Neither TL2 or CL has in-body image stabilization, but I've been drawn to the incredible design of TL2, my only concern is the lack of image stabilization. But you shot some low-light photos with CL, did you use a tripod? they all look fantastic to me

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

It all comes down to understanding what shutter speeds are needed for different situations. The stabiliser in the Q2, SL2 and SL2-S allow hand-holding down to surprisingly slow shutter speeds, but of course this is only to avoid camera shake and has no effect on subject movements.

[@manueltrey3465]

I know Im asking randomly but does anyone know of a trick to log back into an instagram account..? I was stupid forgot the password. I love any help you can offer me!

[@landennixon9532]

@Manuel Trey Instablaster =)

[@manueltrey3465]

@Landen Nixon Thanks so much for your reply. I found the site through google and im in the hacking process now. Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@manueltrey3465]

@Landen Nixon It did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. I'm so happy:D Thank you so much, you saved my ass :D

[@benoloughlin9225]

Good video, thanks, but you don’t mention the 18mm lens often sold with the CL, Is there a reason? I’m hoping the CL with such a small lens would be truly pocketable but I don’t want to go down this route if the lens will be disappointing. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Hi Ben. The 18mm is a fine lens too, all the TL lenses are genuinely excellent. I prefer the 18-56mm myself, not because of any quality difference but because, personally, I value the zoom range over the small size. With the 18mm on the CL it will fit in a pocket, but you'd have to try it out to see if it fits on your own pockets! I think the CL with the 18mm lens is probably the best 'size to quality' ratio camera available on the market.

[@benoloughlin9225]

@@LeicaCameraAustralia that’s most helpful, thanks - and keep making the videos!

[@natgeot]

Good Photos. Currently, I am using a Leica Q and a Canon 5DS, If I want to change the 5DS is the CL or Q2 is the better option. How good the CL without IS? Can you advise me?

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

The CL is absolutely fine without IS, you just need to pay a bit more attention to your shutter speeds to avoid camera shake. IS has nothing to do with subject movement so that remains the same. The IQ out of the CL is quite out of proportion to its size (or price).

[@cfagil]

I wonder how the Leica 35mm f1.4 compares with the Sigma 30mm f1.4 DC DN?

[@kyl5767]

Hi! How would you rate the AF speed of CL? Is the AF of CL as fast as SL2 both with their native lenses?

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

With the native lenses it is very snappy. Quick to lock on and accurate as well. I have no noticed any practical difference between the CL and SL2 when it comes to nailing AF.

[@CharlezRichard]

May I ask you what grip is on your Leica CL?

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

It's called the Leica Handgrip CL!

[@alancornes8916]

Lovely photos

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Many thanks

[@Tom_YouTube_stole_my_handle]

How would the look of the TL 35mm Summilux compare with the M Summilux adapted to the CL?

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

It would look almost identical. However, it might sound a bit counter intuitive but the 35mm Summilux-TL is one of the sharpest lenses Leica makes and so the results will depend a bit on the 'vintage' of the 35mm Summilux-M you might use. If it's the latest ASPH version, the M lens might be a tad better, but the 35mm TL lens is genuinely excellent and you do get to keep autofocus!

[@Tom_YouTube_stole_my_handle]

@@LeicaCameraAustralia Excellent. Thanks. I have the M Summilux immediately prior to the floating element version. I'll take a TL version if there's no optical compromise and benefit from autofocus as you say.

[@ddvictorw]

What are the three lenses that you have with you in the video?

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Hi Victor. On the camera is the 18-56mm, the other two are the 60mm Macro and the 35mm Summilux.

[@mohdfarizolabdulghani7208]

always using CL than my M10…

[@berndrabe5041]

It would be nice to see the Metadata in the Pictures. Thank You

[@LesterPaul58]

No 23mm f/2 ??

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Hi Lester. I don't have that lens, I find the 18-56mm to be more broadly 'useful' in the kind of work I do. It's a lovely lens, as they all are, but one has to choose one's tools carefully and for me it's not my ideal focal length.

[@silvestrocrino3256]

Lenses are made in Japan...and so while good are not really "true" Leica lenses if that means made in Germany.

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Hi Silvestro. If you look on the lens cases you will see that the 60mm Macro-TL and the 35mm Summilux-TL show 'Made in Germany'. Regardless, all Leica lenses are made to the exact same design specifications and tolerances. You will not see any difference between them.

[@jacovanlith5082]

Why negative speaking on the kit lens? If somebody buys a body with a "standard" lens, he gets a kit lens. A Hasselblad 500 C/M + a Planar 80 mm makes the Zeiss Planar a kit lens. So ......? Associations of ............... I do not listen what people think of Kodak Tri-X 135-36. I have seen the 2 x 3 meter black and white prints of the of the Vietnam war made in 1967 by UPI photographer mr. Kyoichi Sawada, shot with his Leica M3 plus Ti-X.

[@johnkasianowicz6536]

I don’t think he spoke ill of the “kit lens”. He just used that conventional term for the lens that Leica had offered optionally for a limited time. I took his tone to reflect the fact the other brands sometimes add kit lenses that aren’t that good.