Sensitivity of Leica CL meter

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I am considering buying a Leica CL. Can anyone give me an idea of how sensitive the meter is (EV x @ XXX speed?). They are a lovely camera, but I wonder whether the spot meter is suficiently low light sensitive to be usable inside cathedrals and such like. Will it meter 1/2 sec at f2 using Kodachrome 64?

Thanks to any CL users out there!

-- Robin Smith (rsmith@springer-ny.com), January 28, 2000

Answers

1/2sec@f:2 with ASA64 is a piece of cake. It's a wonderful camera (my favorite Leica for actually making pictures), and has that special Leica "feel". Like the M5 its meter is subject to drift over long periods of time. Just check it against a known good meter every few weeks, and adjust the ASA dial if needed.

-- Bill Mitchell (bmitch@home.com), January 28, 2000.

I don't think you'll have any trouble with the metering on the CL. They are great little cameras - the result of the first Minolta camera built with a Leica tag. It must be one of the most under rated cameras and they keep their prices very well.

-- Anthony Brookes (gdz00@lineone.net), February 28, 2000.

Hey Robin,

I have used the cl for quite a while now, and in the darker end of the ev values, the meter can be a bit inacurate. Nevertheless, by using a handhel meter once in a while, it can be checked. The cl is a great camera to use, and i use her for the more extreme street photography where there is a chance of damage or loss. (Bulls running through the streets par example..:-)

-- David H (davidknp@yahoo.com), October 26, 2001.


Hi - I just bought one of these and find the meter very sensitive - I have yet to see the results but it seems hypersensitive.

It's a special sort of camera - I also have a Pentax MZ7 - any tips or advice would be much appreciated - the Leica comes with idiosyncrasies - but an M series one is a bit beyond my pocket !

-- roy grove (roygove@aol.com), May 28, 2002.


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