Do Leica Cameras Use 35mm Cartidges

Brand: Leica
Name: Leica CL
Art: Rangefinder camera
Type of Film: 35mm
Focal length: -
Maximum aperture: depends on the lens
Focus: Manual
Shutter speeds: 1/1000 due south to 1/2 s, Seedling
Flash / Flash connexion: Hot Shoe
Release appointment: 1973
Age: Upward to 49 years

The Leica CL is a rangefinder camera for the M bayonet and is probably one of the most unusual models of the Yard cameras.

The history of the camera begins in the 70s when the High german Leitz and the Japanese company Minolta signed a cooperation understanding. The first visible result of this cooperation was the presentation of the Leica CL in 1973.

The compact viewfinder photographic camera was intended to accomplish a customer segment that was non prepared to invest in a "Professional Leica", but still wanted a loftier-quality camera. The apprentice market should exist convinced above all past the compactness of the camera and the lower cost compared to the other Leicas. The latter should exist achieved among other things past the lower product costs, for this reason the camera was not congenital in Frg past Leitz, only by Minolta in Nippon.

Still, the 35 mm camera was not a bang-up success in Leica'southward eyes; after simply three years, the plugs were pulled during production. Although the number of units produced was higher than many other models in Leica history, speculations were beingness fabricated that the professional person segment would non be cannibalized by the Leica CL.

Names and successors

The Leica CL was produced nether diverse names. There are copies with the imprints "Leica CL", "Leitz-Minolta CL" and "Minolta CL". On the occasion of Leitz's 50th anniversary, there was also a limited edition of 3500. These copies tin can exist recognized by the "50 years" notch on the front end and the lawmaking on the back. This consists of a number between 0 and 500 and a alphabetic character (L-E-I-C-A).

In the early 1980s, Minolta launched Minolta CLE, a camera based on the design of the Leica CL. This 35 mm camera comes with a built-in automated exposure control.

The Camera

One feature that makes the Leica CL so interesting is the possibility of using M lenses. The photographic camera was presented together with 2 lenses, the Summicron 40 mm f/2 and the Elmar 90 mm f/4. forty mm lenses in particular harmonise well with the 35 mm camera and are also very meaty. Of grade, the Leica CL can also be used with other lenses, but there are some exceptions that cannot exist used. Focusing is done manually, using the viewfinder. The Leica CL has built-in frame lines for lenses with focal lengths of 40 mm, 50 mm and xc mm.

As most Leica M cameras know and appreciate, the lensman has full control over the camera. He can set the aperture, focus and exposure time according to his wishes. The placement of the setting cycle for the exposure time is hit. This is not, as with most cameras, on the top of the photographic camera, just in the right (from the photographer's point of view) corner of the front. This has the advantage that y'all can brand the adjustment without having to have the camera off your face.

The built-in calorie-free meter makes it slightly easier to find the correct settings. Measurements are taken using a measuring cell located on a swivel arm, which is pivoted between shutter curtain and lens for each shot. In principle, this is a spot metering. The "spot" is located in the eye of the lens. The lite meter is designed for film shooting with a sensitivity from ISO 25 to ISO 1600.

The Leica CL has a bulb mode, the shortest exposure fourth dimension is one/1000 2nd. The apply of an external wink is possible via the hot shoe.

Films for the Leica CL

In the Leica CL, cartridges are exposed with 35mm movie. These are all the same easy to go today and are still being adult. Beautiful 35mm films for color or black and white shots are the Kodak Gilt 200 (eBay / Amazon) and the Ilford FP4 Plus (eBay / Amazon).

The color film is processed in the C-41 evolution process. The C-41 films are offered by most photo labs. For example, you can give your films for development at most drugstores.

The Leica CL can be continued to a cable release or a tripod via the corresponding threads. The 35 mm camera is powered by a 1.35 Five PX625 battery (eBay / Amazon). The motion-picture show is rewound manually. The motion picture ship lever also serves equally an on-switch for the light meter.

The camera weighs 365 g and measures 12 x vii.6 10 3.2 cm. This makes the Leica CL the smallest Leica M camera to appointment. The design of the camera is simple, except for the cycle for exposure fourth dimension and film speed there are no adjustment options on the housing.

The 35 mm camera can just exist found in used status. The value of a used re-create is mainly determined by its status and functionality.

Image Instance

Taken with the CL and an expired DM Paradies 200, digitized with the Canoscan 9000F.

Technical datasheet

Technical specifications of the camera
Attribute	Specification
Type of Photographic camera	Rangefinder photographic camera
Type of Film	35mm
Motion-picture show format	24 mm x 36 mm
Lens mount	Leica M mountain
Focus	Transmission
Rangefinder	Yes
Shutter speeds	1/1000 south to 1/two south, Bulb
Bulb mode	Yes
Built-in flash	No
Flash Connection	Hot Shoe
Flash sync speed	1/60 s
Tripod mount	Aye
Cablevision release thread	Yes
Cocky-timer	No
Power supply	1x PX625 battery
Size	12 10 7,6 ten iii,2 cm
Weight	365 g