Minolta CLE
| Minolta CLE |
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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 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.
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| with Voigtländer Nokton 50mm f1.5 image by Marcello Sokal (Image rights) |
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
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| with Voigtländer Nokton classic 40mm f/1.4 image by Ken Tsukamoto (Image rights) |
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.
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| image by à Rebours (Image rights) |
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
- ↑ Year and month: Francesch, p.49.
- ↑ See this page at Cameraquest.
- ↑ 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
In English:
- Minolta CLE at Cameraquest
- Minolta CLE, Auto Electronflash instruction manual and CLE booklet in PDF format at Mr. Butkus' OrphanCameras
In German:
In Japanese:
- Minolta CLE by Hitoshi Nishiyama at N. Maekawa's Manual Camera website (archived)
- Minolta CLE PDF in Japanese at OrphanCameras
| Minolta Classic Cameras |
|---|
| Vest (or Best) | V2 | SR-2 | SRT 101 | XE | XD | CLE | 7000 | 9000 | 800 si |
