The first Leica I owned was an ancient, used model IIIf (red dial) which was made from 1950 to 1957, overlapping the introduction of the famous Leica M3. The red dial refers to the flash (bulb) synchronization setting dial which surrounded the shutter speed dial. It was a camera with separate windows for rangefinder focusing and composition but in my experience it was mostly used with auxiliary finders for specific lenses.
I bring up the IIIf camera because when Leica decided to make an APS-C, interchangeable lens, digital camera they consciously modeled it after the pre-M, screw mount lens cameras. A nod to their long heritage of making "miniature" cameras. And when I compared the digital CL with the IIIf the bodies are almost identical in size and even in weight.
While I have other cameras that are more technically capable there is something about the CL that inspires me to keep it and to use it as often as I can. While it can use any of the Leica, Sigma or Panasonic L mount lenses it seems most practical to use it with a series of Sigma Contemporary lenses that were specifically designed for APS-C cameras. The lenses from that Contemporary collection that I have are the 16mm f1.4, the 30mm f1.4, and the 56mm f1.4. To round out AF lenses for that system I also toss in the Sigma full frame, 24mm f3.5 lens. It's small and light and seems to fit in perfectly.
On the other hand the camera seems ready-made for use with M mount lenses from Leica, Zeiss, Thypoch and Voigtlaner. Leica made a range of lenses specifically for this format but I've never gotten around to picking any of them up. Some, like the 35mm f1.4 Summilux are highly coveted but something like the 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 seem to be out performed by something like the Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm constant aperture f2.8. A small and lightweight lens that delivers good optical performance across the frame.
I enjoy using the CL for any number of reasons. The small size, the discreet look, and the good menu. But what I really like is the fact that the mechanical shutter goes to 1/8000th of a second and the electronic shutter goes up to a blistering 1/25,000th of a second. Which pretty much means you can shoot any of those f1.4 lenses wide open or close to wide open even in full sun. It's a nice effect!
The CL was launched two years after the original SL and in some ways (buttons and menus) it's a better, less complicated package. More like the SL2 that followed the CL by a couple of years.
I bought my first digital CL nearly four years ago for around $1800 (sans lens). The current pricing for used, but good condition, CLs seems to be around $2000 on the open internet and between $2K and $2400 at Leica stores. The ones at the dealers generally include the boxes and all the original, supplied materials and a longer warranty.
I'm not sure I can recommend the CL without a few caveats; at least not for people who might imagine it would work as their "one and only" camera. First of all, it lacks any sort of stabilization. Second, the EVF is a lower resolution one than in most current cameras, and finally, it's been long discontinued so getting parts, like a replacement eyepiece surround, will be problematic. But as a back to an existing L system it can be a lot of fun. The batteries are the same ones used in many Panasonic cameras as well as current Sigma FP cameras so you won't run into the situation Leica M240 users find themselves in --- unable to source new batteries. (I've had two M240 batteries on back order at B&H for about six months now. I know they'll come in eventually but nobody seems to know when...).
They are cool cameras. Mine is happiest with the 56mm f1.4 Sigma on the front. Basically the equivalent of an 85mm lens on a full frame camera. The color from the camera; especially from the raw files, is wonderful and so far the cameras seem to be bullet proof.
I just back from the dermatologist's office. Man, they love to find stuff to burn off the backs of swimmers who forgot to use sunscreen for decades at a time. Almost like my new part time job.
Wear your sunscreen. It's no fun getting jabbed and scraped and hit with blast of liquid nitrogen. Just sayin.
Today's subject was brought up when a friend let me know he was selling his mint copy of his CL. I pondered buying it but I think I'm up to my elbows in cameras ... and lenses for the moment. But it did start me thinking about the merits of the little system...
1 comment:
I once had a CL and regret selling it, I fear I’ll want to secure one again, much as Mike Johnston just published about “buying the same camera more than once”, maybe I can justify it by acquiring a silver one this go round as only the original black version was available at the time, I just wish that the used prices weren’t hanging on so high, but that’s indicative of it’s intrinsic value and the fact that there’ll never be a successor… I also still have a Minolta CLE film kit, so I’m somewhat vested in the “fam”, forever… Then again, the Nikon Zf silver is also tugging at me, thank goodness they don't have an equivalent 45 f2.8 pancake lens that’s on my FM3A, if a manual aperture Z mount version comes to be I’m doomed - Sigma could do it, that would then be irresistible!
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