Hi I'm searching for a good range finder camera. I was thing about a second hand Minolta CLE. Has someone one for sale in Portugal? Can be other branch but same type and quality. Thank you. A. Rodrigues

-- Antonio Matos Rodrigues (a.matos.rodrigues@netvisao.pt), March 03, 2002

Answers

You should know, before buying one, that repairs on the CLE are expected to be become difficult to obtain.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), March 03, 2002.

You're looking for a rangefinder camera with auto-exposure mode; instead of buying a used CLE, here're some choices that are in current production: Leica M7; K onica Hexar RF; Voigtlander Bessar R. The M7 won't be available until around June, and it will be expensive; the Hexar seems to be the closest in specifications as the CLE, and a CLE in good working and cosmetic good condition can cost as much as a new Hexar RF; the Bessa R is the most economical, but its metering procedure is more like the Leica M6 rather than having aperture-priority automation.

-- Hoyin Lee (leehoyin@hutchcity.com), March 04, 2002.

http://www.netaxs.com/~cassidy/images/equipment/ql17/index.html

If you want more links about the "Ultra-Cool" (starts buzz at parties, shows up in J. Crew catalogue, compares favourably with a Leica (v.s.), cost me $15 in exquisite shape) Canonet line, e-mail me.

BTW: The durability of the 1970s Canons is, Mr. Cassidy's guesses not withstanding, pretty damned impressive. War stories, too, will be provided for the asking.

-- Robert Segal (robertsegal@juno.com), March 04, 2002.

Ditto the Canonet series, especially a III-17, maybe $50-75 (US) used. Just watch for good foam on the light seals. Unless you're a pro or REALLY want a Leica, this will do as good.

-- Keith VH (keithvanhulle@hotmail.com), March 05, 2002.

The CLE is a great camera, but they are getting old and have little factory support at this point. I love mine, and would have to rate it as one of the best cameras I have ever used. The finder is wonderful, exposure accuracy is high, shutter release very quiet and smooth. The 40mm Rokkor is one of the best lenses I've ever used as well, and is remarkably sharp even at f2.0. The camera does have its quirks--fill flash is noit easy, and there is no meter when taken off auto. Since the value of the camera has reached $800 to $1000 with lens in great shape,it is risky to buy one knowing if it breaks it may not be possible to get it fixed.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), March 09, 2002.