The Leica CL is a solid, little camera. Pretty much the ultimate expression of a compact but powerful camera for the format. It's an APS-C sensor-sized camera. Leica built a whole little system around this camera and its sibling, the TL series. This camera and the TL were responsible for the genesis of the L mount we enjoy today.
The CL was introduced in 2017 and discontinued by Leica in 2024 (sadly). It features a 24 megapixel, CMOS sensor, 4K video (no inputs for microphones and no outputs for headphones) and a high res (for the time) EVF --- which still is quite good today. The camera is a perfect travel camera. Smaller and lighter than the M cameras it was sold alongside its own family of APS-C lenses, some of which were/are phenomenally good. And sized right for the system.
The only real downside of this camera for most users is the short battery life. But even there the remedy is straightforward. It's the only Leica battery I know of that is shared by Leica, Sigma and Panasonic and was widely used in the last two companies' smaller cameras. Even the Sigma fp and the fpL use the same battery. Unlike nearly every other Leica camera body there are available many different generic batteries that fit and are available at wildly cheap prices. Like, less than $25. Compare that with the $230 for an SL battery....
The obvious inspiration for the CL came from Leica's original, screw mount rangefinder cameras and from the pre-M series that was in the market right up until the introduction of the M# (and for a few years after that introduction as well...in the form of the IIIG). The camera is just about the same size, in the same dimensions, as my older Leica IIIf. The TL mount, or L mount, means the camera functions flawlessly with L mount lenses from Sigma, Panasonic and, of course, Leica. The autofocus works, the other parts of automation work and the camera is capable of making great images when used correctly and paired with the right lenses.
I didn't start the day thinking about the CL. It's been floating around the studio without a strong purpose for quite a while now but it's too nice a camera to trade in or otherwise get rid of. I had unloaded the lenses I'd taken for my trip to Montreal from the camera bag I took and I'd placed the Thypoch 50mm f1.4 and the Thypoch 28mm f1.4 lenses on my desk. In that gap between my keyboard and the monitor, and I guess they just used some sort of photographic voodoo osmosis to sway my thinking toward a use situation that would benefit both the lenses and the camera. To wit: using the 28mm as a 42mm "normal" lens and the 50mm as a 75mm portrait lens. Those are the equivalent fields of view when used on a cropped frame (1.5X) camera like this one.
The controls are great and seem to be the forerunners for the control designs/interfaces for the SL2 and above series cameras as well as the M series rangefinder cameras, starting with the M10 models and going forward. The camera is fast to operate, the menus are relatively simple and there is nothing at all ostentatious about the camera. Nothing to tweak the Veblen fearful. Nothing to scare your favorite subjects. Non-intimidating.
I certainly had fun working with the camera and the 28mm today. Most of the images were shot either wide open, or at f2.0, and occasionally at f2.8. Wonderful fun, and as a bonus, the focus peaking was highly accurate!!! Not always the case with all cameras. Here are some more pix (below).
At Jo's. Setting up for a pop-up used clothing market. Shoes upfront.
a non-inclusive approach to advertising and marketing.... to say the least.
The camera and lens have been "Mannequin Approved."
A strategy that a remarkably large portion of society doesn't currently seem to embrace.
I notice that hotels and motels usually have swimming pools but no pool tables...
Interesting...
The raw sugar making its way though the decorative foam in a latté at Jo's Coffee.
Quasi-obligatory pool shot. Real pool, not billiards pool...
A visual representation of "vast potential."
The continuing drama of the hats...
I thought I remembered liking this camera!
Now even more with the manual focus, fast lenses.
Interesting.
I have always lusted after the perfect travel camera… with many failed attempts as a result. Some time in 2024, following one of your blog posts… I decided the CL would be that ideal camera. A week later I learn that they were discontinued. I could not find any new or second hand models for sale. Kept looking for about 6 months and then it faded into the background.
ReplyDeleteIn due course I updated my a7riii to the a7RV… for lots of reasons. At the time I regarded it as the perfectly evolved camera (for me) in terms of sensor, menu system, evf, rear screen, autofocus. I was not interested in the extra pixels. Some time later.. Sony released the crop sensor a6700.. a baby version of the a7RV.. with a really useful tiny kit zoom. I bought the 24m f2.8 Sony as a companion prime and already had a Sony Zeiss 55 prime. The big advantages for me… fits in a jacket pocket. But just as important..it shares the same battery, mount, menu system, buttons(mostly) and probably other stuff that does not come to mind right now. It is probably as close as I can get to the perfect travel kit.
But… I still wonder about the CL.
"The descent of sugar through the foam", love it. One reason that I prefer sitting down with a porcelain cup and spoon over a take-out cup is that you can use the spoon to taste that first bit of coffee and then scoop up the last of foam with it when you're done. Life consists of a series of short moments of pleasure.
ReplyDeletetastes better in a paper cup...
DeleteThe first Leica Q, Typ 116, uses the CL battery.
DeleteI screwed up with the Leica CL. I scored a very nice, gently used example and enjoyed it. But when Leica took the CL out of production I was concerned that I would be stuck with a kit of APS-C lenses that I couldn’t use anywhere else (and didn’t need to use on my other L-mount Leicas). So I sold it. I had mixed feelings at the time and still do today. However, the sale of the CL did help fund my purchase of an equally nice, gently used Leica SL2.
ReplyDeleteOne final thought on the CL’s battery: Not only can third-party examples be found at inexpensive prices, but the Panasonic, Leica and Sigma-branded versions are all made by Panasonic - with the Panny version priced at $59.95 (less than half the price of the Leica) and the Sigma version going for $44.00 - even cheaper. And there’s no wondering about compatibility, battery life or cell quality with any of these.