Minolta CLE

Minolta CLE

[ Image wanted] {{{image caption}}} Maker: Minolta Dates: 1981-unknown Variants: black, gold Camera Type: 35mm rangefinder system Focusing: manual Viewfinder: {{{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 x 1.5V Dimensions: {{{dimensions}}} Weight: unknown Number produced: unknown

The Minolta CLE is a 35mm rangefinder camera introduced by Minolta in 1981, that can take Leica M lenses. Leica and Minolta had signed a technical cooperation agreement in 1972. One of its results was the joint development of the Leica CL, a compact rangefinder camera taking Leica M lenses. The Leica CL was introduced in 1973 and discontinued a few years later. In 1981 Minolta launched the CLE, that is a new body with some reminiscence of the Leica CL.

The Minolta CLE has an electronic focal plane shutter to 1/1000, and a through-the-lens CdS exposure meter with aperture priority or manual exposure, and automated TTL flash exposure. All these features would not appear on a Leica M body before the M7. The viewfinder's projected frames cover the 28mm, 40mm and 90mm focal lengths.

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 had some problems with the durability of the coating, and it is recommended to check the presence of white spots on the coating before buying.

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

The Minolta CLE was sold in a black finish. There was a gold edition, limited to 300. According to Cameraquest, it was only for the Japanese market. It was composed of a gold plated body, a standard lens with gold plated bayonet mount and a leather case with a plate marked CLE GOLD LIMITED. One of them has been observed at a Yahoo Japan auction. The top plate was gold with black engravings. The bottom plate, strap lugs, hot shoe and lens remove button were gold too, as well as the metal part of the advance lever and shutter release. The shutter speed disc and the lens rings were marked with gold colour numbers.

Links

• The Minolta CLE at Cameraquest
• The Minolta CLE at Peter Lausch's website