Minolta CLE sound and compatibility

[mark_salkowitz]

I'm thinking about getting a Minolta CLE and have two questions:

i have read that it has a quiet shutter. how does it compare to an

M7 or M6? secondly, with regards to compatibility, i have read that

some 35/2 summicrons will fit while others won't.. does anyone know

if a fourth version will fit?

thanks

[pensacolaphoto]

The CL does not have a quiet shutter, but it still makes a nice back-up body for M photography.

[richard c gilles]

He's asking about the CLE, not the CL. They have very different shutters.

[pensacolaphoto]

My mistake here.

[jose f.]

The shutter sound on my M2 was kind of a hushed 'zip' sound, probably less noticeable than the sound of the CLE I use now. Neither is noticeable with normal background sounds but the CLE probably results in a few more turned heads in a quiet room. Neither is as quiet as a leaf shutter or many contemporary digicams. Can't help you on the Summicron; with the 40/2 M-Rokkor available I never felt the need to try the 35 on that body.

[godfrey]

Buying a CLE today is pretty crazy considering that the majority of them have electronics

which are somewhat suspect, and growing more so as they age, and Minolta will no longer

supply repair parts at all.

 

Godfrey

[graham_line]

Good point, Godfrey. It's a great camera to use but I wouldn't be willing to pay now what I did 10-20 years ago. Prices are still holding at a fairly high level.

[mark_salkowitz]

well shutter sound is a major issue for me, and aside from a Leica, there are few, if any, other RF options. and i think this would make a great backup after i get an a la carte. as for parts, i realize that Minolta no longer supplies them; thats the risk i assume when buying. furthermore, if i did by one, i would try to pick up a cheap second one for parts... now i am using a C/V Bessa R2 and the sound makes me cringe and puts a damper on my willingness to pull the trigger in sensitive situations. but all is for not if i cannot attach my new shiny summicron, albeit dust laidened....

[nathaniel_pearson]

My CLEs sound quieter (to my ear, and in subjective 'auditory salience' terms) than my M3 -- particularly for long exposures. I think it's a -superb- camera.

[melvin_bressler1]

Hi Mark:

 

The quietest shutter I have is a Kodak Retina IIIc, followed by all Leica Ms. My CLE

is just as quiet as the Ms. I will check tommorrow to see if my 35 mm cron latest fits.

I don't see why not. I always use the 40 mm Rokkor with the CLE.

 

The camera and 40 mm are for sale by the way.

 

Happy snaps.

[peter_a__nyc_]

My CLE is way louder than my M3. But I love its built in 28mm finder, portability, soft

touch shutter release, and normal hinged back! The Konica Hexar AF, in Silent Mode, is

quieter than either camera, however it has other limitations.

[mark_salkowitz]

thanks Melvin, looking forward to the verdict

[nasmformyzombie]

Compatibility? How about no 35mm frame line. How about no 50mm frame line. Nice, quiet shutter, but no AE exposure lock, no meter on manual exposure. A royal pain in the you know what.

[joel_matherson]

The CLE is slightly louder than a mechanical M at faster speeds but is considerably quieter at slower speeds because you dont have a mechanical zip sound while the CLE's shutter lacks because its electronic. The M7 as such is quieter.

 

"Buying a CLE today is pretty crazy considering that the majority of them have electronics which are somewhat suspect, and growing more so as they age, and Minolta will no longer supply repair parts at all."

 

This is simply a false statement perpetuated because if its not done in the USA must must mean Worldwide. This is not the case. (The World Series Syndrome). Minolta Japan still fixes CLE's you can send it directly or through your Minolta agent. No differnt to sending your Leica to Germany for specialised service. The electronics just need contact cleaning and service, rarely does the main circuit board fail completely. Also just be diligent about spare parts. I keep an eye out for new spares being offerred and in the past 2 years have acquired every major spare part, rangefinder, shutter, top and bottom covers, dials etc with a minimum of fuss all new.

[stephen_w.]

My CLE was (now busted) louder than any M I've owned because there is less material and less dense material between the shutter and my ear.

[hamish...]

i found it much quieter than a bessa (r2), nikon fm3a (which i think takes the R3a/r2a shutter - but that is a SWAG) not as quiet as M7 , but GREAT value, very pocketable. I use the small cv 28mm/3.5 and the minolta rokkor 40/2 which are great. this is very much grab and go p&s camera. size is a big +ve for me. Some knock the AE only aspect but it hasnt ever been a prob for me and has a very easy to use push/pull comp dial.

 

If I was in the US (ie $ vs GBP pricing) I think I would look very hard at an R3a/R2a instead - i have been happy with my R2 and the price/weight makes it a very useful alternative. Good luck with whatever you go with!

[melvin_bressler1]

Hi Mark:

 

OK, good news, bad news: the 35 mm cron latest mounts fine (a little stiff,

but OK). The shutter works, as does the meter and the focus. But, it appears

to bring up only the 28 mm bright line.

 

And, I listened to the shutter through the speed range. With the camera at

my eye, and of course, right next to my ears, there was a 'click' at all speeds

above (faster) 1/8 which may have been a hair louder than my M, but at say

four feet, I doubt anyone would notice any difference, and at ten or twele feet, I

doubt that anyone would hear either camera. At slower speeds, the CLE was

probably quieter, but again, almost no difference.

 

Happy snaps.

[owen w.]

I have a pair of CLEs for nearly 25 years. I have, over the years, collected 11 Leica lenses that all fit. I learned about the supposed 35 issue only a few years ago. Never seen the problem, and I think it is an early 35 SummiLUX (and that early 21) that is problematic. I have a 1976 35/2 and the new 35/2 ASPH. (Plus 24, 28, 4 50s, 3 90s, etc.) No problems. The shutter is pleasant, and only barely louder than my M6 or M7. These days, nothing is quieter than digital cams, if quiet is all you want. The cameras are old, but a good CLE is an excellent camera.

<p>

As for framelines, ALL the 35's bring up the 28 lines, and all 50's bring up the 40 lines, unless you've taken a file to your lens. The CLE has lines for 28, 40 & 90. The rest is up to you. You simply get to know your viewfinder and lenses. I love mine.

[dg1]

Get a Konica-Minolta A2 digital. You can choose from a couple shutter sounds, one of which is a recording of the Minolta CLE shutter. It can be used at 2 different volume levels too. At the lower volume it reminds me of the delicate shutter of a TLR. Better yet it can be turned off entirely, making the A2 much quieter than any Leica.