I’ve had a love/hate relationship w/my Leica CL. I like its small size & the M-mount capabilities. I dislike its front mounted s/speed dial and the removable back. I rarely used my CL, so in late spring 2017, I decided to put away my M2, and I would exclusively work with my CL for the summer.
I used the 40mm Rokkor-M and Tri-X. I’m not crazy about the CL’s semi-spot meter and its poor low-light performance, so I fitted a Voigtlander VC II meter to the camera. I carried the camera, extra film and a little accessory pouch in a small Domke bag.
The first few outings were awkward: I once opened the camera w/out rewinding the film (duh, rookie mistake!)
As the summer progressed, the brain, hand & camera merged. I got comfortable with the placement of the s/speed dial; shooting 36 exp. rolls meant less film changes. I found myself subconsciously making a meter reading and setting the camera controls. I grew fond of this little Leica and learned to accept its idiosyncrasies and work around them.
The CL’s main advantage is its unobtrusive size. I’m essentially invisible – little attention is paid to an older, low key individual. I can work with this small, black camera and not be disturbed. Then something catches my eye and: click/gotcha!
I’m pleased I finally got around to working on this self-imposed summer assignment. I’ll add an additional CL to my armamentarium. Meanwhile, enjoy the photos.
A link to my flickr account: flickr.com/photos/
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Stephen Malagodi on 5 Frames with a Leica CL – By Dan Castelli
Comment posted: 07/12/2017
Nice pics, btw.
Comment posted: 07/12/2017
Doug Gottlieb on 5 Frames with a Leica CL – By Dan Castelli
Comment posted: 07/12/2017
Great post. Thanks for sharing.
Comment posted: 07/12/2017
Karl Valentin on 5 Frames with a Leica CL – By Dan Castelli
Comment posted: 11/05/2018
Maybe just because its to small for me or a Minolta in a Leica outfit ?
Dan Castelli on 5 Frames with a Leica CL – By Dan Castelli
Comment posted: 11/05/2018
As for the Leica/Minolta partnership - the series of Leica Reflex "R" bodies were essentially Minolta SLR's...the Leica 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit M is a Minolta lens in Leica clothing.
The size can be a detriment for some photographers. I found the camera to be much more 'hand friendly' after I added the leather half-case.
Thank you for taking the time to read my review and responding.