Hello;

I am not familiar with CL prices so I could use some help.

I know of a Minolta CL with a 40mm Rokkor (Summicron I assume)with a case and manuals for $650 US. Is this a fair price? It seems in good shape both cosmetically and functionally.

Thanks

-- richard ilomaki (richardjx@hotmail.com), April 20, 2002

Answers

That seems to be about the going price for a very clean camera. After looking at more than 6 CL's a few years back, I'd be surprised if the meter works well, so check it out very carefully. The meter replacement job cost about $400.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), April 20, 2002.

Richard, do you mean a Leica CL or a Minolta CLE? I think both were made by Minolta under Leica licence, but they are different, especially as fas as the compatibility with Leica M lenses is concerned. The 40 mm Rokkor (not a Summicron, it was made by Minolta) is a tremendous lens. The CLE is a wonderful camera, but $650 seems a bit high to me. I'd say $500 would be fair. I don't know much about the Leica CL. If you're interested, Cameraquest has put up a very interesting site at: www.cameraquest.com/cle.htm. Also check: www.cameraquest.com/mguide.htm. Good luck and good shooting,

Olivier

-- Olivier Reichenbach (olreiche@videotron.ca), April 20, 2002.

Minolta made/sold a CL concurrent with the Leica CL (techically it was labelled a "Leitz/Minolta CL") - the CLE was a Minolta-only project 6-7 years later. All CL bodies were built by Minolta and designed by Leitz - so it came off the same assembly line as any Leica CL.

The "Rokkor" lenses were fully manufactured by Minolta, while the "Summicron/Elmar" lenses were fully manufactured by Leitz/Leica. But thye share the same optical design.

I defer to others on price.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), April 20, 2002.

I've seen CLs labeled only "Minolta" in Japan. So they exist. The price seems fair if it is in good working order and intact cosmetically (not A+ or A but A-)

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), April 20, 2002.