Re: [Leica] CLE lenses on M bodies

[Stephen <cameras@jetlink.net>]

I think you will find the answers at my site, please visit

            http://cameaquest.com/cle.com   and
http://cameaquest.com/leicacl.htm

Regards,

Stephen Gandy

Andras Iklody-Szabo wrote:

> Fellow Luggers,
>
> can anybody clear up my doubts? I am sure this has been discussed in
> the
> past but not since I am on the list. Sorry, if for some of you this is
>
> repetitive.
>
> I know that the CLE lenses fit physically. What I would like to know
> for
> certain is about exact RF coupling. When I was in Solms the last time
> I
> asked this question. The "official" Leica reply was: you can mount the
>
> lenses but they will not couple properly with the M RF. It is possible
> that
> the difference will be covered up by depth-of-field, but the correct
> answer
> is no, they do not couple.
>
> Since I now own an M6 body I became curious and made all kinds of
> combinations. In a (admittedly unscientific) test I mounted the M6 and
> the
> CLE bodies side by side on a tripod and kept exchanging the same CLE
> lens
> focussing on different subjects at different distances with the RF.
> After
> adjusting for exact focus the position of the helical was always the
> same
> for the same subject on BOTH bodies. This makes me think of the
> following
> possibilities:
>
> 1. Leica's "official" answer is correct in a mathematical sense, but
> the
> practical differences are imperceptible.
>
> 2. Leica misunderstood and was referring to CL lenses instead of CLE
> lenses. According to "Handbuch des Leica-Systems 1984/4" CL lenses
> have a
> "steep curve" helicoid, whereas M lenses have a "differential"
> helicoid
> maintaining the follower cam always parallel. Because of this CL
> lenses can
> not be focussed correctly via RF on M bodies. This is printed Leica
> information.
>
> CLE lenses have a "plane cam" as Minolta states in the manual,
> whatever
> that is.
>
> 3. Leica doesn't like to admit, that a competitor's lenses can be used
>
> succesfully on an M body. Minolta is something of an ex-wife to Leica
> now.
>
> 4. Leica is plain wrong (unlikely but not impossible).
>
> Who knows the answer?
>
> Andras Iklody-Szabo
> Caracas / Venezuela