I didn't expect to see the CLE on this series. I am waiting on my CLE from KEH as I type this. I decided on it over a Leica due to price. Sure, the prices are going up but they are going up on anything worth getting even Barnacks. The Super A looks incredible!

@extremebanding2748

3 ай бұрын

Well...me neither actually, but it became too hard to overlook. Hope you'll enjoy it, it is truly a super camera, and compared to its rivals with equal specs, the price is still pretty good. Yes, the Super A is a unique experience, still surprises me when I pick it up.

@VirtualGuth

2 ай бұрын

I've owned a CLE for a number of years now and really enjoy it. When my example arrived (I bought it from a seller in Japan) the metering system demonstrated the jumping LEDs that others have written about. I was able to resolve this by partially disassembling the camera and cleaning the electrical contacts that reside under the shutter speed dial (I found all of the information I needed by searching online). Should the need for a repair arise, you can also check out Nielsen Photographic Services in Oakdale, California. Scott Nielsen has fixed CLEs for others and the reviews have been very good. Enjoy!

I can listen to you talk about rangefinders all day. I love your voice!

@extremebanding2748

3 ай бұрын

Thanks, that is nice to hear!

I use a Chiyoko super rokkor 45mm lens on my Leica IIIf , honestly such a beautiful lens , design , feel , and results !! I also use the leitz elmar 3.5 50mm collapsible lens as well

@extremebanding2748

3 ай бұрын

Yes the rokkor is really well built, the most solid feel of almost any lens I've ever handled. 45mm could actually be quite useful also on the Minolta CLE and the Leica CL for example, where the 40mm frame lines are a bit tight

It's always a joy to watch a review on lessor know rangefinders. My Minolta Super A with 35-3.5, 50-1.8 and 85-2.8 will never part. A wrist strap helps with the weight. I adore this camera.

@extremebanding2748

3 ай бұрын

Yes it is lovely, I will give the wrist strap a go!

The Minolta V2 is also worth to mention

Nice video - I love Minolta cameras. Many years ago I was strongly considering selling my Leica M6. I bought a Minotla CLE to evaluate as a possible replacement along with two M-Rokkor lenses in the 40mm and 28mm focal lengths. (After much searching I managed to find an example of the 28mm lens completely free of the white spots that typically plague this model.) In the end I decided to keep the M6 but I also kept the CLE. While they compliment each other nicely, the CLE is just a great camera in its own right. That Super A is particularly lovely (it would look right at home in a Wes Anderson movie).

@extremebanding2748

2 ай бұрын

Good decision to keep both! A CLE with the 28 and 40, just a perfect set, Minolta really nailed it there.

@VirtualGuth

2 ай бұрын

@@extremebanding2748 Agreed.

just looked up Minolta CLE prices on eBay and just... ouch...

@extremebanding2748

3 ай бұрын

No, not cheap, then again, if you take a look at the Leica M:s with metering and 0.58x magnified finders...

Just got a Minolta 35 on ebay, and luckily found one with decent condition shutter curtains, though the shutter speed dial was not put correctly back on and whoever did it stripped the screws on it, but other than that its usable, but the price was really good... I like the flat bottom of yours more than the one I have on my 35 Model II. It's weird that the other screw mount lenses didnt work on your Minolta 35. Outside of a few lenses being close to the self-timer, most mounted ok with mine. I've tried a various Japanese screw mount lenses the ones that dont hit the self-timer fit fine.

@extremebanding2748

2 ай бұрын

Yes, a flat bottom is better, but that is a small thing. Maybe you can get 40 frames on a roll with your Model II, that would not be bad at all, and worth the trade off I think. Yes, there was probably some kind of issue with the rangefinder arm on my Minolta-35. Good to know that it was probably just that copy, and that it works like it should on yours. Hope you'll enjoy your camera!

I want a cle so bad but they’re out of my price range 😢

@extremebanding2748

3 ай бұрын

Yes they are a bit pricey. If you do not require metering (there are nice apps for metering with the phone for example) a working Leica CL with broken meter can usually be had for alot less. Quite similar experience, but no 28mm frame lines of course. Otherwise a tip would be to look for sets with the Minolta CLE and some lenses. If you sell the lenses you can most of the time get a camera for a bit less compared to buying it separately, but that of course requires some funds for the inital investment, and you still need at least one lens...