Difference between revisions of "Minolta CLE"

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(Description: Specs said silicon meter, text said CdS; it's silicon. Also made the picture a little bigger)
 
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{{Infobox_35mm_RF_system|camera name='''Minolta CLE'''
 
{{Infobox_35mm_RF_system|camera name='''Minolta CLE'''
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|image source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanvolpe/4655979150/in/pool-camerawiki/
|image=<!-- '''Image wanted'''-->
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|image=http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4655979150_234ccbabf9_m.jpg
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|image caption=with M-Rokkor 40mm f/2<br/><small>image by {{image author|Ryan Volpe}}</small> {{with permission}}
 
|maker=[[Minolta]]
 
|maker=[[Minolta]]
|dates=1981&ndash;unknown
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|dates=1981–unknown
 
|variants=black, gold
 
|variants=black, gold
 
|viewfinder=
 
|viewfinder=
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|sync speed=1/60
 
|sync speed=1/60
 
|motor drive=none
 
|motor drive=none
|battery=2&times;1.5V
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|battery=2×1.5V
 
|dimensions=unknown
 
|dimensions=unknown
 
|weight=unknown
 
|weight=unknown
 
|number produced=unknown
 
|number produced=unknown
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}}
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The '''Minolta CLE''' is a TTL-metering aperture-priority automatic 35mm rangefinder camera taking [[Leica M lenses]], introduced by [[Minolta]] in 1981.
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{{Flickr_image
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| image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/msokal/3235641065/in/pool-camerawiki/
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| image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3089/3235641065_8e7ab402f0_m.jpg
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| image_align= left
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| image_text= with [[Voigtländer]] Nokton 50mm f1.5
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| image_by=Marcello Sokal
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|image_rights=with permission
 
}}
 
}}
  
The '''Minolta CLE''' is a TTL-metering aperture-priority automatic 35mm rangefinder camera taking [[Leica M lenses]], introduced by [[Minolta]] in 1981.
 
  
[[Leica]] and [[Minolta]] signed a technical cooperation agreement in June 1972.<REF> Year and month: Francesch, p.&nbsp;49. </REF> One of its results was the joint development of the [[Leica CL]], a compact rangefinder camera introduced in 1973 and discontinued a few years later. The CLE was a new rangefinder body resembling the Leica CL.
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<br style="clear:left"/>
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[[Leica]] and [[Minolta]] signed a technical cooperation agreement in June 1972.<ref> Year and month: Francesch, p.49. </ref> One of its results was the joint development of the [[Leica CL]], a compact rangefinder camera introduced in 1973 and discontinued a few years later. The CLE was a new rangefinder body resembling the Leica CL.
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
The Minolta CLE has an electronic focal plane shutter to 1/1000, and a through-the-lens CdS exposure meter with aperture-priority automatic or manual exposure, and automated TTL flash exposure. None of these features would appear on any other body for M-mount lenses until the [[Konica Hexar RF]] of 1999 (which has all but the last). The viewfinder has projected frames for 28mm, 40mm and 90mm focal lengths.
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{{Flickr_image
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| image_source= https://www.flickr.com/photos/_ken_/150398165/in/pool-camerawiki/
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| image= https://live.staticflickr.com/51/150398165_a0306b1a54_w_d.jpg
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| image_align= left
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|image_text= with [[Cosina Voigtländer|Voigtländer]] Nokton classic 40mm f/1.4
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|image_by= Ken Tsukamoto
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|image_rights=with permission
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}}
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The Minolta CLE has an electronic focal plane shutter to 1/1000 second, and a through-the-lens, off-the-film silicon-cell exposure meter with aperture-priority automatic or manual exposure, and automated TTL flash exposure. None of these features would appear on any other body for M-mount lenses until the [[Konica Hexar RF]] of 1999 (which has all but the last). The viewfinder has projected frames for 28mm, 40mm and 90mm focal lengths.
  
 
The Minolta CLE is reputed to be reliable, but electronic faults would likely be unrepairable today.
 
The Minolta CLE is reputed to be reliable, but electronic faults would likely be unrepairable today.
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<br style="clear:left"/>
  
 
== Lenses ==
 
== Lenses ==
 
Three lenses were made by Minolta specially for the CLE: the M-Rokkor 28mm f:2.8 wide-angle, the M-Rokkor 40mm f:2 standard and the M-Rokkor 90mm f:4 tele. The 28mm lens has some problems with the durability of the coating, and it is recommended to check the presence of white spots on the coating before buying.
 
Three lenses were made by Minolta specially for the CLE: the M-Rokkor 28mm f:2.8 wide-angle, the M-Rokkor 40mm f:2 standard and the M-Rokkor 90mm f:4 tele. The 28mm lens has some problems with the durability of the coating, and it is recommended to check the presence of white spots on the coating before buying.
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/summicron/195677826/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image= http://farm1.static.flickr.com/73/195677826_28b0367513_m.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text=
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|image_by= à Rebours
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|image_rights=nc
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}}<br style="clear:left"/>
  
 
== Gold edition ==
 
== Gold edition ==
The Minolta CLE was sold in black finish, except for a gold edition, limited to 300 and sold only in the Japanese market.<REF> See [http://www.cameraquest.com/cle.htm this page] at [http://www.cameraquest.com/ Cameraquest]. </REF> The top plate is gold with black engravings. The bottom plate, strap lugs, hot shoe and lens release button are gold too, as well as the metal parts of the advance lever and shutter release. The shutter speed disc and lens rings have gold colour numbers. The set includes a standard lens with gold plated bayonet mount and a leather case with a plate marked ''CLE GOLD LIMITED''.<REF> Observation of a gold CLE in a Yahoo Japan auction. </REF>
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The Minolta CLE was sold in black finish, except for a gold edition, limited to 300 and sold only in the Japanese market.<ref> See [http://www.cameraquest.com/cle.htm this page] at [http://www.cameraquest.com/ Cameraquest]. </ref> The top plate is gold with black engravings. The bottom plate, strap lugs, hot shoe and lens release button are gold too, as well as the metal parts of the advance lever and shutter release. The shutter speed disc and lens rings have gold colour numbers. The set includes a standard lens with gold plated bayonet mount and a leather case with a plate marked ''CLE GOLD LIMITED''.<ref> Observation of a gold CLE in an online auction. </ref>
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
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== Links ==
 
== Links ==
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{{Japanese 35mm focal plane VF and RF}}
 
In English:
 
In English:
 
* [http://www.cameraquest.com/cle.htm Minolta CLE] at [http://www.cameraquest.com/ Cameraquest]
 
* [http://www.cameraquest.com/cle.htm Minolta CLE] at [http://www.cameraquest.com/ Cameraquest]
In French:
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* [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/minolta/minolta_cle/minolta_cle.htm Minolta CLE, Auto Electronflash instruction manual and CLE booklet in PDF format] at Mr. Butkus' [http://www.orphancameras.com/ OrphanCameras]
* [http://www.photopalis.com/photopalis/html/minolta_cle.htm Minolta CLE] at [http://www.photopalis.com/photopalis/html/index.htm Photopalis]
 
* [http://www.collection-appareils.com/minolta/html/Minolta_CLE.php Minolta CLE] at [http://www.collection-appareils.com www.collection-appareils.com] by Sylvain Halgand
 
 
In German:
 
In German:
* [http://members.eunet.at/plausch/cle.htm Minolta CLE] at [http://members.eunet.at/plausch/ Peter Lausch's website]
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* [http://www.lausch41.com/cle.htm Minolta CLE] at [http://www.lausch.com/ Peter Lausch's website]
 
In Japanese:
 
In Japanese:
* [http://www.ne.jp/asahi/japan/manual-camera/cle.htm Minolta CLE] by Hitoshi Nishiyama at N.&nbsp;Maekawa's [http://www.ne.jp/asahi/japan/manual-camera/ Manual Camera website]
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20190518151049/http://www.ne.jp/asahi/japan/manual-camera/cle.htm Minolta CLE] by Hitoshi Nishiyama at N.&nbsp;Maekawa's [https://web.archive.org/web/20190519051233/http://www.ne.jp/asahi/japan/manual-camera/ Manual Camera website] (archived)
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* [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/minolta/minolta_cle/minolta_cle.htm Minolta CLE PDF in Japanese] at [http://www.orphancameras.com/ OrphanCameras]
  
 
[[Category: Leica M mount]]
 
[[Category: Leica M mount]]
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[[Category: Minolta|Cle]]
 
[[Category: Minolta|Cle]]
 
[[Category: M]]
 
[[Category: M]]
[[Category: C|Cle]]
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[[Category: C|CLE Minolta]]
  
 
{{Minolta classic}}
 
{{Minolta classic}}

Latest revision as of 00:12, 4 October 2023

Minolta CLE

Maker: Minolta

Dates: 1981–unknown

Variants: black, gold

Camera Type: 35mm rangefinder system

Focusing: manual


Viewfinder:

Rangefinder: coupled, combined

Lens mount: Leica M

Shutter: focal plane
cloth curtains, horizontal travel
from 1s to 1/1000

Exposure meter: TTL, SiO2 cell

Exposure modes: aperture priority, manual

ASA/ISO range: 25 to 1600

Shoe: fixed hot shoe, TTL contacts

Synchronized: X

X sync speed: 1/60

TTL Flash: Minolta TTL

Motor drive: none

Battery: 2×1.5V

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

Number produced: unknown

The Minolta CLE is a TTL-metering aperture-priority automatic 35mm rangefinder camera taking Leica M lenses, introduced by Minolta in 1981.



Leica and Minolta signed a technical cooperation agreement in June 1972.[1] One of its results was the joint development of the Leica CL, a compact rangefinder camera introduced in 1973 and discontinued a few years later. The CLE was a new rangefinder body resembling the Leica CL.

Description

The Minolta CLE has an electronic focal plane shutter to 1/1000 second, and a through-the-lens, off-the-film silicon-cell exposure meter with aperture-priority automatic or manual exposure, and automated TTL flash exposure. None of these features would appear on any other body for M-mount lenses until the Konica Hexar RF of 1999 (which has all but the last). The viewfinder has projected frames for 28mm, 40mm and 90mm focal lengths.

The Minolta CLE is reputed to be reliable, but electronic faults would likely be unrepairable today.

Lenses

Three lenses were made by Minolta specially for the CLE: the M-Rokkor 28mm f:2.8 wide-angle, the M-Rokkor 40mm f:2 standard and the M-Rokkor 90mm f:4 tele. The 28mm lens has some problems with the durability of the coating, and it is recommended to check the presence of white spots on the coating before buying.


Gold edition

The Minolta CLE was sold in black finish, except for a gold edition, limited to 300 and sold only in the Japanese market.[2] The top plate is gold with black engravings. The bottom plate, strap lugs, hot shoe and lens release button are gold too, as well as the metal parts of the advance lever and shutter release. The shutter speed disc and lens rings have gold colour numbers. The set includes a standard lens with gold plated bayonet mount and a leather case with a plate marked CLE GOLD LIMITED.[3]

Notes

  1. Year and month: Francesch, p.49.
  2. See this page at Cameraquest.
  3. Observation of a gold CLE in an online auction.

Bibliography

  • Francesch, Dominique and Jean-Paul. Histoire de l'appareil photographique Minolta de 1929 à 1985. Paris: Dessain et Tolra, 1985. ISBN 2-249-27685-4.

Links

Japanese 35mm focal plane VF and RF (edit)
Leica screw mount Alta | Bessa L/T/R | Canon II/III/IV | Canon VT | Canon VI-T | Canon L-3 | Canon P | Canon 7 | Canon 7s | ChiyocaChiyotax | Honor S1 | Honor SL | Ichicon-35 | Jeicy | Konica FR | Leotax | Leotax G | Melcon | Melcon II | Minolta 35 | Muley | Nicca | Nicca III-L | Nippon | Tanack 35/IIIS/IV-S | Tanack SD | Tanack VP | Teica | Yasuhara T981
Leica M mount Bessa R2/R3/R4 | Konica Hexar RF | Minolta CLE | Rollei 35 RF | Zeiss Ikon
Nikon mount Bessa R2S | Nikon rangefinder models
Contax G mount Contax G1 | Contax G2
Other Bessa R2C | Kwanon | Tanack V3
Japanese TLR and pseudo TLR ->
Japanese 6×6, 4.5×6, 3×4 and 4×4 ->

In English:

In German:

In Japanese:

Minolta Classic Cameras
Vest (or Best) | V2 | SR-2 | SRT 101 | XE | XD | CLE | 7000 | 9000 | 800 si