Leitz Minolta CL (1973)
The Leitz Minolta CL was a joint project between Leitz and Minolta, released on the Japanese market in November 1973. It was a radical move in the Leica world at the time - a compact, meter-equipped M-mount body built with an outside manufacturer. The CL shares its CdS metering approach with the contemporary Leica M5. A small arm holding the cell extends between the rear lens element and the shutter curtain when metering.
The camera was typically sold with the 40mm f/2.0 M-Rokkor lens, and it takes standard Leica M-mount glass. 35mmc noted that the CL "has its quirks" and requires practice to build the muscle memory for handling. It also pointed out that dozens, if not hundreds, of articles online attest to how radical this camera was in the Leica world.
The record on this model is thin. No production years beyond the 1973 Japanese release, no body weight or dimensions, and no original price are documented in the sources available. One common issue does surface repeatedly, and that is the meter. A listing on precision-camera.com describes a body in "Excellent" condition that "Does have Bad Meter," and eBay listings touting "Meter Works" suggest that meter condition is a known area of concern. Used prices for the CL body currently run from about $482 across recent listings, with a 30-day median around $477.
Known specs:
- Type: 35mm rangefinder, Leica M-mount
- Lens: 40mm f/2.0 M-Rokkor
- Metering: Built-in TTL CdS
- Released: November 1973 (Japanese market)
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