Leica Leitz Minolta CL
A compact M-mount rangefinder co-designed by Leitz and Minolta and built by Minolta. It has a vertically traveling shutter and true spot metering.
Overview
The Leica Leitz Minolta CL is the smallest and lightest interchangeable M-mount rangefinder ever produced. Leitz and Minolta designed it jointly, and Minolta manufactured it. It was introduced in 1973 as a compact, low-cost alternative to the full-sized Leica M series. It takes both M and screw-mount lenses. Leica marketed the CL in most regions, while the Leitz-Minolta version was sold in Japan during the same period. After Leica CL production stopped, Minolta kept producing the Minolta CL and exporting it to the US. A special 50th Leitz Anniversary edition was released (1925-1975), with only 3,500 units made. That makes it the rarest variant.
Specifications
| Type | Interchangeable M mount rangefinder |
| Film Format | 35mm |
| Years Produced | Introduced in 1973 and discontinued only three years later (Leica version) |
| Lens Mount | Leica M-mount |
| Shutter | Vertically moving shutter; speeds 1/2 to 1/1000 sec + B |
| Flash Sync | X sync at 1/60th sec via hot shoe (no PC connection) |
| Metering | TTL true spot metering using a 7.5mm CDS cell on a flag in front of the film plane |
| ASA Range | 25–1600 |
| Viewfinder | Projected parallax-corrected framelines for 40mm, 50mm, and 90mm lenses; 40mm frameline always visible |
| Shutter Speed Display | Visible in finder |
| Meter Display | Meter needle visible in finder |
| Power | One Mercury 625 battery; mechanical shutter functions without battery |
| Construction | Removable back for easy film loading; front-mounted compact shutter dial |
Design
The CL has a vertically moving shutter - the only Leica M-mount camera with this design. The TTL spot metering system uses a CDS cell mounted on a flag. The flag rises just before the first shutter curtain opens and measures light directly in front of the film plane, across 7% of the frame. The camera went through six internal design revisions during its short production run. The back is removable, which makes loading film easier, and the front-mounted shutter dial helps keep the body compact. A special shutter release arm was available for use with the VISO tripod system.
Context
The idea was a small, affordable M-mount camera, and the CL delivered a lightweight, capable rangefinder. It still met skepticism because it was made in Japan, and it was often compared unfavorably to the larger, more prestigious Leica M series. Leitz initially claimed that CL-specific lenses like the 40/2 Summicron and 90/4 Elmar might not focus correctly on M cameras because of differences in focusing cam shape. Some suspect this was a marketing strategy to protect sales of higher-margin M lenses. Meter and shutter reliability drew criticism, and there are concerns about dead CDS cells with no modern replacements. Still, the CL earned praise as a "terrific camera" and a great carry-all-day tool with excellent lens performance.
Market
The CL is valued today as a compact, elegant alternative to the standard M series. Its light weight and high-quality optics make it a favorite for street and travel photography. The 50th Leitz Anniversary model is particularly collectible because of its limited run of 3,500 units. Some users report problems with slow-speed shutter accuracy and meter reliability, but well-maintained examples remain functional and desirable.
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