Questions about CLE and lens cleaning

[trex1]

Hi all. I read that the top plate of the CLE is plastic. Is this correct? It sure seems like metal to me. Also,

the 40mm CLE lens I bought has a bit of haze on the inside of the rear element. I don't really want to

dissasemble it to clean it out, and would prefer a pro. Any idea on prices, or suggestions on where to send it?

Anyone cleaned it themselves?

 

Also, anyone using 50mm lenses on their CLE. I have the 40 and a 50mm lens, and would like to shoot the 50, but

not sure about framing.

[robert_hooper1]

<p><a href="http://www.sherrykrauter.com/">Sherry Krauter</a> is reputed to be one of the best Leica repair persons in the trade. I have just had a CLA performed on my Summicron-C 40mm f2 by Sherry, and the lens along with some other equipment, is in transit back to me.</p>

<p>The following is a quote from Sherry Krauter in response to my email to her regarding the cost of a lens CLA:</p>

<p><i>"A Leica screwmount or M lens comes apart in basically 2 halves: Lens head, (elements, diaphragm blades, and assembly), and Focusing mount. If I work on either half it is $75.00, plus shipping.<br /></i><br>

<i>A full overhaul is $115.00, plus shipping. My attempt to encourage a full shower, or bath, after 25 - 50 years, and not just washing from the waist up or down, so to speak. I have a special solution from Wetzlar that removes haze or fogging. Relacquering is $5.00 more for each element. I have more than enough work, and only do what is necessary. 3 week turn-around."</i><br>

<em> </em></p>

[fred_c1]

<p>What's wrong with shooting the 50 with <a href="../leica-rangefinders-forum/00SUZP">your R2A</a> ?</p>

[trex1]

I traded it in for a CLE, which I like much better.

[john sypal]

<p><p>A CLE is a must have for cool kids at Tokyo gallery openings. Most CLE shooters I see on the streets are under 30.</p><br>

<br /> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21347087@N02/2824953254/" title="Leica MP, Minolta CLE by John Sypal, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3140/2824953254_62d330c8cf_o.jpg" width="700" height="525" alt="Leica MP, Minolta CLE" /></a></p>

<p><p>An M5 is another acceptable option for meet and greet events.</p><br>

<br /> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21347087@N02/3186116096/" title="yokohama by John Sypal, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3306/3186116096_8d3b173b68_o.jpg" width="700" height="525" alt="yokohama" /></a></p>

[trex1]

<p>This is what John was trying to say! </p>

<p>Oh, and DAG is the guy from what I can tell. <br>

<br /> A CLE is a must have for cool kids at Tokyo gallery openings. Most CLE shooters I see on the streets are under 30.<br /> <br /><br /><a title="Leica MP, Minolta CLE by John Sypal, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21347087@N02/2824953254/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3140/2824953254_62d330c8cf_o.jpg" alt="Leica MP, Minolta CLE" width="700" /></a><br>

<br /> An M5 is another acceptable option for meet and greet events.<br /> <br /><br /><a title="yokohama by John Sypal, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21347087@N02/3186116096/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3306/3186116096_8d3b173b68_o.jpg" alt="yokohama" width="700" /></a></p>

<p> </p>

[joel_matherson]

<p>The CLE's top and bottom covers are plastic but they are the impact resistant polycarbonate which dents less than the metal covers of the CL.<br>

Sherry has her roots with the CL but by no means the CLE. Cleaning the lens haze really wouldnt require a specialized person so the choice of repairers would depends on what country your in. If you let us know where you located someone in your area will be able to give you the best tip<br>

PS Did my email in regards to your other thread come through?</p>

[laptoprob]

<p>Both top and bottom look and feel like black chrome metal to me. Like used on the M4-2 and later.<br>

In any case, very very strong!</p>

[astral]

<p>The top of my CLE is metal; it has small edge nicks & some token scratches, but still looks fine.</p>

[joel_matherson]

 

<p ><em><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=627549">"Rob Spoon</a> , Feb 26, 2009; 02:11 p.m.</em></p>

 

<p><em>Both top and bottom look and feel like black chrome metal to me. Like used on the M4-2 and later.<br /> In any case, very very strong!</em></p>

 

 

<p ><em><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=912852">Alan Clayton</a> <a href="../member-status-icons"><img title="Frequent poster" src="http://static.photo.net/v3graphics/member-status-icons/1roll.gif" alt="" title="Frequent poster" /> </a> , Feb 26, 2009; 04:34 p.m.</em></p>

 

<p><em>The top of my CLE is metal; it has small edge nicks & some token scratches, but still looks fine."</em><br>

<em>.</em><br>

Sorry but your both mistaken. Here is a photo of new CLE top and bottom covers from my new parts bin. You can see the grey resin colour when you look underneath them. You can also see many moulding circles and lines. One in particular is arrowed and points to where the actual injection took place and the excess has gone white where it was broken off and removed like model kits. So too if you look at the hinge points you can see they are hollow to cover the actual hinge screws attached to the camera back this is so fine and awkward in shape it could not be pressed by metal.<br>

.<br>

The long wearing nature of the top cover is due to a unique process Minolta did with its polycarbonate covers. They coated them in a fine layer of copper and then adhered the black chrome like finish on top of that. When the corners wear, particularly on the pentaprisms of the Black bodied SLR's like the X-700 you can see the orange copper colour on the corners. CLE covers are actually slightly thicker than the SLR versions though which makes them that little bit tougher.</p>

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[astral]

<p>Joel, I am surprised; that top plate certainly takes a <em>lot </em> more abuse, without undue signs of 'distress', than other metalised plastics on <em>lesser </em> cameras. I was tempted to buy a replacement top when DAG had one, but realised that after the first scratch/dent I'd be back to 'Square One' and, naturally, the camera would work any better anyway. AC</p>