If you had a CL but wanted the M6, would you?

I had a CL and it was a fine cameras. I used it with a 28/3.5 (whole area of frame), 50/2 Collapsible Summicron & 90/4 and it made a very fine kit. That said, it went along the way after awhile and I'm certainly happier with a IIIf & a 50/2 Summitar instead. Only you can decide what you want so if that's an M6 I'd say grab & run. The only suggestion I'd make is to try to swing the M6 without selling the CL as it would make an excellent backup body to your M6.

HTH,

William
 
I went from a CL and 40mm summicron to a M6 and 50mm ZM. The only thing I missed about the CL is the small size. The M6 was better in every other way.
 
I might not like the CL or CLE but I am a big fan of the 40mm Rokkor, it is the best Leica lens value ever. It seems silly to spend 3-4x for a 35 Summicron. And unlike the VC-ZM lenses, it doesn't wobble!
 
Frank Version Two said:
I might not like the CL or CLE but I am a big fan of the 40mm Rokkor, it is the best Leica lens value ever. It seems silly to spend 3-4x for a 35 Summicron. And unlike the VC-ZM lenses, it doesn't wobble!
Click to expand...

My ZM 50 doesn't wobble. I do not have the 40mm but I am keeping my eyes open for one.
 
Hi! First of all: i love my CL (and CLE too).
I'm recursively looking for an M6 and i cannot find any good reason to spend those more money (i have not that much money anyway).
These are the reasons why i would buy an M6:
-longer EBL
-Look
-Framelines
And these are the reasons why i will not buy it:
-I do not use long and fast lens. Focusing with my 85mm f2 is still sharp and it's enough form me. Focusing with my summicron 90 f4 is easy
-It's lighter than an M6
-If I shoud use widers lenses than 40, I already have an external finder...
So, now It's up to u
D.
 
I would just because i made the switch myself and never looked back. The Leica M6 is so much better in terms of handling, feel and resale value.

go for it!
 
I take the opposite view to most. I wont deny when your fondling the camera the M does have that certain something but when it comes to actually carrying a kit around the M stays home. I started with an M3 which literally stayed in the cupboard (still does) for years. Never have been big on 50mm lenses really. Then one day I picked up a my first CL with a 40mm Summicron and it was a revelation! The focal length was perfect and the lens itself wonderful. The compact size of the CL was also extremely appealing and the quality of a CL to hold isnt what you would consider poor by modern plastic fantastic standards just not quite M. The compact nature and 40mm framelines feel better in my hands and in my brain as a previous poster put it. This to me outweigh fondling an M at home. From there the logical 2nd body was not an M it was the CLE. What a great compact 2 camera kit. I think your decision has more to do with what you need from your camera and how you prioritise what you want most from it. So in reverse as others have put it, I went from M to CL/E and will never look back. Certainly doesnt look like you have trouble focusing a 50 on the CL, very nice.
 
I have big hands, so the slight largeness of them is OK in my book.
But the reason to buy one is the meter and over sized shutter wheel. Nothing better then being able to change shutter speeds and not have to take your eye away from the subject.


I've owned all three and a Minolta CLE, sold the CL about 2 months ago as it felt redundant to me and wasn't being used. The CLE is still my favorite while the M6 is generally the most versital (all those frame lines and a meter). M5 is the easiest to use on the move though.
River Dog said:
Funny you should say that, I have my eye on a well-worn cheap one that works and is warrentied. Don't you find it a bit big and heavy? I haven't tried one myself but I like aperture priority.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Frank Version Two said:
I might not like the CL or CLE but I am a big fan of the 40mm Rokkor, it is the best Leica lens value ever. It seems silly to spend 3-4x for a 35 Summicron. And unlike the VC-ZM lenses, it doesn't wobble!
Click to expand...

I agree. I sold my CL and kept the 40mm Summicron-C. I now use it on my M6. The CL was small and fun to use. It felt less assuring than the M6. I alays had that feeling that one day the film advance mechanism would fail. I did not, but the camera is gone. In my case, I sold the CL and got a Hexar RF instead (same cost to me).
 
Thanks for all your advice. I have slept on it and decided to keep the CL. I will spend any spare cash on wider glass. The CL works, I can work with it, it is compact and built well enough for my needs.

If it can keep taking photos like this one from the other day, we will be very happy together.

5451654750_4179741403_b.jpg
 
Last edited:
As I mentioned before a 28 works well, I felt, using the whole area of the view finder.

Enjoy!

William
 
I would definitely take a M6 over a CL. The M6 is more robust and you would not have to worry so much about the meter.
 
Palaeoboy said:
I take the opposite view to most. I wont deny when your fondling the camera the M does have that certain something but when it comes to actually carrying a kit around the M stays home. I started with an M3 which literally stayed in the cupboard (still does) for years. Never have been big on 50mm lenses really. Then one day I picked up a my first CL with a 40mm Summicron and it was a revelation! The focal length was perfect and the lens itself wonderful. The compact size of the CL was also extremely appealing and the quality of a CL to hold isnt what you would consider poor by modern plastic fantastic standards just not quite M. The compact nature and 40mm framelines feel better in my hands and in my brain as a previous poster put it. This to me outweigh fondling an M at home. From there the logical 2nd body was not an M it was the CLE. What a great compact 2 camera kit. I think your decision has more to do with what you need from your camera and how you prioritise what you want most from it. So in reverse as others have put it, I went from M to CL/E and will never look back. Certainly doesnt look like you have trouble focusing a 50 on the CL, very nice.
Click to expand...

I know I"m coming back and repeating myself, but I feel compelled to point out that the meter on the CL is far better than that on the M6.

Not only is it a semi-spot, but the needle display is far more intuitive than the M6's clunky LEDs - you can see instantly if you're one stop below or above the meter reading, etc. I happen to be a big fan of the Summicron C, too, I like the FOV and the look - which I preferred to the V2 Cron 35/2 I used on my M4.

My M4 was black paint, a beautiful thing to handle, it was a pleasure to use - but ultimately, my CL always seemed to give me better photos, so I learned to be proud of my (relatively) budget beastie.
 
I also prefer the meter in the CL over that in the M6. I am used to using a spot meter.
 
I'll chime in even if a little late. I started with a CL. After two years shooting the CL, I moved to a mint condition M6 TTL. I ended up selling selling the M6 TTL while keeping the CL.

Here are some observations after using both cameras. First, my Summicron-C didn't focus as well on the M6. After shooting a few rolls, I noticed that the 40mm wasn't always acceptable. I then shot a tightly controlled test roll with focus targets every 2 inches and found that it was indeed off. My 90mm Elmar-C lined up perfectly and my 50mm Jupiter 8 was more out of focus than the Summicron-C. So, I had the choice to either get lenses better designed for the full-sized M's or sell the M6 TTL.

In terms of using the M6 TTL, it was a nicer camera than the CL. But, I never bonded with it. The 3 LED meter wasn't intuitive to me at all. Honestly, I preferred using an SLR to using the M6 (no flames, please!) :) I wanted to love the camera because of how nice it looked, or how expensive it was, or how great of a picture it should take, but in the end I didn't really mind letting it go.

I shot my CL over the weekend and I'm excited to see what the images look like. I would like a full size M to shoot with again, but not a $1700 body that doesn't work with my lenses. It's a shame too because the Summicron-C can be stunning, and the 90mm Elmar-C is beautiful thing as well.
 
This is the best reason for the M6 (see below).
On the otherside, the layout and lightmeter readings on the CL are almost divine. Nothing worse then fumbling with the shutter speeds.

Best compromise, M5.


Al Patterson said:
The CL has 40 and 50 framelines. Upgrade for other reasons, like maybe 35 framelines.
Click to expand...
 
Well...if I ever get the CL, I'll still be thinking about an M6 for a very very long time. Keep both. CL could be a back up or you could have colour film in one, black and white in the other, get the best of both cameras. That's my dream anyway!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top