Minolta CLE

Minolta CLE

The Minolta CLE ("Compact Leica Electronic" or "Compact Lens Electro") is often regarded as the most technologically advanced M-mount camera of the film era relative to its release date. Launching in 1980, four years after the discontinuation of the Leica CL, Minolta took the basic chassis design of the CL and completely modernized it. Unlike its mechanical predecessor, the CLE is fully electronic. It features an electronically controlled cloth focal-plane shutter, which enables stepless shutter speeds in Aperture Priority Mode. This made it the world's first M-mount camera to offer auto-exposure, a feature Leica did not introduce until the M7 in 2002.

Another groundbreaking feature was the introduction of Off-The-Film (OTF) TTL Flash metering. When used with dedicated Minolta Auto Electro flashes, the camera measures the light reflecting off the film plane during exposure to cut the flash output at the perfect moment. This level of sophistication was unheard of in rangefinders at the time.

The viewfinder was also significantly improved over the CL. The CLE increased the effective base length slightly and, most importantly, widened the magnification to accommodate 28mm framelines. The camera projects bright lines for 28mm, 40mm, and 90mm lenses. Because it lacks specific 35mm or 50mm framelines, users of standard Leica lenses often have to estimate: 35mm lenses typically bring up the 28mm frame (using the whole window), and 50mm lenses usually trigger the 40mm frame (requiring the user to compose slightly tighter).

History

The CLE represents Minolta's declaration of independence after the dissolution of the Leitz-Minolta partnership.

The Evolution (1980) After the Leica CL project ended in 1976, Minolta retained the tooling and the rights to the chassis design. While Leitz returned to traditional mechanical cameras (the M4-2 and M4-P), Minolta believed the future was electronic. They redesigned the CL's body to be slightly wider, replaced the mechanical vertical shutter with a horizontal electronic one (which ran smoother and quieter), and incorporated the advanced metering technology from their SLR line (the XG series) [1].

The "Unofficial" M7 For decades, the CLE was considered the best "user" M-camera for street photography because of its automation. It was sold with three Rokkor M-mount lenses: the M-Rokkor 28mm f/2.8, 40mm f/2, and 90mm f/4. Interestingly, while the camera is fully compatible with Leica lenses, Minolta never officially used the term "M-mount" to avoid trademark litigation, instead calling it compatible with "Leica lenses" [2].

Legacy The CLE was discontinued around 1985 as Minolta shifted focus entirely to the revolutionary Maxxum/Dynax autofocus SLRs. Today, it remains a cult classic. Its main drawback compared to the CL is its reliance on electronics; if the circuit board dies, the camera becomes a brick, whereas the mechanical CL can still shoot without a battery [3].

Sources

• [1] CameraQuest. Minolta CLE: The Compact Leica Electronic. https://www.cameraquest.com
• [2] 35mmc. Minolta CLE Review - The Advanced M. https://www.35mmc.com
• [3] Ken Rockwell. Minolta CLE Review. https://www.kenrockwell.com
• [4] Japan Camera Hunter. Camera Geekery: The Minolta CLE. https://www.japancamerahunter.com
• [5] The Phoblographer. Vintage Review: Minolta CLE. https://www.thephoblographer.com