Well here is the situation I have a CLE and a M4-2 Lenses include DR summicron 50 elmar 90 summicron 35 summilux 40 rokkor Now I know all the lenses work on the leica but what is the experience with the compatability on the minolta. I wnet to the cameraquest site and it states that virtually all these lense are NOT compatable now i have already used the 90 without incident before I visited the site will I damage my camera or lens with continued use? also it states that the summilux will not work or will work with the protective ring removed. Now how do I remove this ring is it dangerous to the camera or lens is it easily replaced? Also the elmar seems to mount and focus fine so the above questions apply . I know that the dual range finderwill not line up but what is the compatability and use of the lens otherwise? I would really appreciate any help or guidance from others already using these items ta

-- George Verbryck (verbryckjack@aol.com), May 13, 2002

Answers

The 90 Summicron will work, but I believe part of the rangefinder may be blocked. Also, shooting at f2.0 in the closer range will result in missed focus on some shots due to the shorter effective rangefinder base. No damage is caused by using it however. I have used a 3.5 50mm Elmar on mine with no problems. I do not think the DR will mount or focus on the camera--I used to have a DR and I think I remember carfully trying it with no luck. The current 50 works fine, but brings up the 40 lines. I never tried the 35 LUX, but have read it will not fit.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), May 13, 2002.

http://membres.lycos.fr/cesarigd/photoe2cleo.htm

-- John Collier (jbcollier@shaw.ca), May 13, 2002.

George, could you make better use of punctuation in your posts. Yours is awfully difficult to read and understand. No offense, pal :-) Now, I have a CLE and a Leica M7. My older 50 mm (pre-asph) Summicron won't fit on the CLE. My older 35 mm Summicron will, but will not focus to infinity. My 28 mm Elmarit fits, albeit very tightly. The 40 mm Rokkor fits on the M7, and brings up the 50/75 framelines. Also, the Voigtländer lenses, with M mount adaptor, fit very well on both the M and the CLE. I don't know, but until proven contrary, I would avoid any combination that feels strange or abnormal. Have a good time.

-- Olivier (olreiche@videotron.ca), May 14, 2002.

There is no Aspherical version of the 50/2.

-- John Collier (jbcollier@shaw.ca), May 14, 2002.

To John: there's not? Why, thank you, I didn't know that. You see, I could never afford to buy a new Leica M lens. So I bought used ones. But I read, somewhere, that older 50 mm Summicron are better than modern ones. What do you think?

-- Olivier (olreiche@videotron.ca), May 14, 2002.

Dear George,

Here is my adice and a long time CLE and M user.

1. Your 90mm is fine. There won't be any damage. Focusing wide open at close focus may be a problem at f2. Confession: I've used an old Nikkor 85/2 on my CLE for years and did not know there was a problem until recently. Trick is to really concentrate.

2. 'Cron DR 50/2: Take the googles off and twist to normal focus (Inf. to 1 meter). I see no problem. 40mm can dble for 50.

3. Don't mess with your Summilux 35/1.4!!!!! Don't take anything off. Don't even think about it!!! If you want to use a 35mm lens on your CLE use current 35/2 or 1.4 ASPH. Or get VC 35/1.7 or 2.5. Or Leica 35/3.5 or 2.8. Repeat: Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely don't try to mess with you Summilux 35/1.4. Leave protective ring alone! Use the 28mm frame as a guide for 35, unless you want to use an external viewfinder.

Cheers, Alex

-- Alex Shishin (shishin@pp.iij4-u.or.jp), May 14, 2002.

George. The gods strike down people who use inappropriate Leica lenses on incompatible bodies or try to modify Leica lenses to use in ways in which they were not intended. Pay attention to the warnings in the website John Collier provided, and do not attempt to remove the rear element guard from a 35 mm/1.4 Summilux (pre-ASPH) to use on the CLE. These things are OK for experts like Abrahmsson, but not for most users. Some (but not all) collapsible lenses candamage the CLE if collapsed too forcefully into the body.

A number of M lenses (and additional lenses if the lenshood is attached) obstruct the RF and portions of the VF of the CLE, even if they fit into the body without problems. This means you may not be able to focus properly. Also, the RF is not sufficiently accurate for certain longer or larger aperture lenses, particularly in the near range. The CLE is problematic as a general purpose M body, but is perfectly suitable for the lens designed to be used on it. These considerations are all described in that website.

-- Eliot (erosen@lij.edu), May 14, 2002.

Thanks for all the info,I guess I will not be able to use the summilux. That is to bad I really would have liked to use that lens with the OTF for lowlight photography.Thanks Geor

-- George Verbryck (verbryckjack@aol.com), May 14, 2002.

George, I've used my pre-asph 35mm summilux on my CLE for years and it works perfectly. Yes, you do have to take off the protective ring - just don't do it yourself, use a qualified technician. And be careful with the lens afterward (don't lose the ring!).

The combination is a match made in heaven. Both camera and lens are about the smallest and fastest Leica-compatible equipment ever made.

-- Jay D (jayd@netvigator.com), May 14, 2002.