[Leica] Leica CL vs CLE

[Afterswift at aol.com (Afterswift@aol.com)]

In a message dated 5/30/05 10:35:34 AM, lug-request@leica-users.org writes:


> this is nor surprising because they are one and the same -- made in
> Deutschland by E. Leitz, both of them, the CLE version was just
> rebranded, different
> front ring meant lower price, too -- check the rear cam constrctions.
> 
> ctrentelman
> -----------------------------------------------------
There's a big difference between the CL and CLE. First, you can still get 
the 
CL repaired. The CLE is problematic. I think Leica still repairs the CL 
because it falls into the M class. The meter of the CL is different; it's 
the same 
type that was used in the Leica M5. The CLE has an automatic meter, I 
believe, 
that varied shutter speed. The design of the CL was innovative, again, like 
the M5, it had side lugs for the strap. Even the shutter dial of the CL is 
mounted on the front panel of the camera. Both cameras used the same set of 
two 
lenses, 40mm and 90mm. Both very good indeed. I use the CL and get excellent 
images with it. It took some getting used to; but after that it is a jewel. 

Minolta probably made both cameras; but the level of precision in the CL is 
remarkably high. Leitz distributed the CL. Minolta marketed the CLE. IMHO 
they're different designs and the CL belongs to the M5 generation. Nothing 
to do 
with the Minolta CLE. 

Bob