Wide angle lens for a Minolta CLE RF?

[ellisson]

What are my best options for a quality wide angle (21-28mm) lens for a Minolta CLE RF? I just otained this camera, along with a M-Rokkor 40mm lens, but I often use a wide anlge lens. The used 21-28 Leica Ms are expensive. Do any of the Zeiss lenses work on this camera? The cameraquest site had some suggestions, but I wonder what others have had success with. Suggestions appreciated! Thanks! Gary

[Nick Merritt]

The Voigtlander 28/3.5 is a fine lens, and small so it won't throw things out of balance with a small body like the CLE. You'll need an M mount adaptor, though.

[Trask]

I picked up a 21mm Voigtlander to use with mine. It's great little lens. Mine is silver and looks cool on the camera, too. Or course you've got to be willing to use an external viewfinder, but the one that comes with the lens is very clear and gives a good view.

[Anupam Basu]

If you want to use framelines then the CV 28/3.5 would be a fine choice. The CV 28/1.9 is brilliant but a little big. For wider, the CV 21/4 and 25/4 are good choices. The older 25/4 wasn't RF coupled, but that isn't that big a problem. I used a Zeiss 25/2.8 for a while and it was a gorgeous lens, but the Zeiss lenses are more expensive than CV.

Shots I made with the CV 21/4
Shots I made with the Zeiss 25/2.8

[Chaplain Jeff]

Hello,

Is no one going to suggest the M Rokkor 28mm, f/2.8 that this camera was designed to be used with?

The Rokkor 28mm is an awesome lens - I would put it up and over anything Cosina has put out. Many say, "It's just a Minolta," but that's the snobbery in us coming out. Your camera, the Leica / Minolta CL and the lenses for each were designed in conjuntion with Leica and are phenonemal pieces of gear (don't take my word for it, read it on Gandys site: www.cameraquest.com)

Just make sure you get a Rokkor 28mm that has been "re-engineered" by Minolta. The original design / coating produced tiny white spots on the lens after a few years. Minolta had everyone send their lenses in to be recoated, but a few out there on the used market never made their way back to the dealerships. The spots don't effect the image of the lens (I'm told - mine has been re-done), but it's better safe than sorry.

Your CLE, which is probably my favorite RF after the M5, is perfect for this - or any other 28mm lens.

Also, be sure to take advantage of the magnificent TTL flash technology on your camera. Forget the so-hard-to-find-it's-rare little bitty flash Minolta sold with the CLE, it's big brother the 360PX is amazing on the camera. With TTL flash, bounce, swivel and a seriously high GN (I forget it at the moment, but you can use the 360PX to shoot night sports) all for the cost of going to the movies (these flashes once sold for BIG bucks, back when the dollar was worth something). When I use mine for flash, I typically mount it on the Minolta PG-II flash bracket, which allows for additional power (no changing batteries during an event) and an elevated off-to-the-side illumination.

Welcome to Minolta RF! You're going to love it.

BTW, make sure you know the cameras restrictions. There are a few Leicas that will not work with the CLE, including one of my favorites, the Summicron DR 50mm, f/2. I'm told it can do some ugly stuff to the inner workings if you put this or a few others on it, so beware. I think Stephen Gandy's site has the compatability list on it - or just Google it.

Good luck and let us know which lens you pick!

Jeff M

[Chaplain Jeff]

One more thing - if you want to see some photos with the Rokkor, you are welcome to view mine on my website.

I am out of the country and the computer I'm on won't go to flickr so I can't send you a link, but if you go to

www.flickr.com and do a search under "PBJ - Photos By Jeff " and under sets browse through Route 66, West Texas and Disney 2007, most of those images (and many of the other sets as well) are made with the CLE and the Rokkor 28mm, f/2.8.

If you have any questions about the CLE, it's usage, what Minolta accessories work well with it, etc., feel free to ask.

Again, good luck and let us know what you decide.

Jeff M

[Tom Hoskinson]

I have a Minolta CLE with the original Rokkor 28mm. Nice combo! However, for WA lenses, I strongly prefer the CV 21mm f4 and the CV 35mm 1.2 Aspherical NOKTON.

[Trask]

I suggested the 21mm Voigtlander only because I bought one when I couldn't find a Rokkor 28mm that didn't have white spots. I've looked a lots of these lenses all over the world, in the US, Singapore, Europe, and I've yet to find a clean one that didn't have the spots. It's my strong experience that there aren't just a few left that weren't fixed, but that nearly all that are now available have the spots.

If someone has a clean one they'd like to sell on, I'm interested, as might the original creator of this thread, of course! I'll get in line!

[Tom Hoskinson]

I suggested the 21mm Voigtlander only because I bought one when I couldn't find a Rokkor 28mm that didn't have white spots. I've looked a lots of these lenses all over the world, in the US, Singapore, Europe, and I've yet to find a clean one that didn't have the spots. It's my strong experience that there aren't just a few left that weren't fixed, but that nearly all that are now available have the spots.

If someone has a clean one they'd like to sell on, I'm interested, as might the original creator of this thread, of course! I'll get in line!

As I mentioned, I have a Rokkor 28mm for my CLE (not for sale, BTW). I also have the 28/3.5 Color Skopar with "M" adaptor whose performance meets or exceeds that of my 28mm Rokkor.

If I was interested in another 28mm lens (which I'm not) I'd consider the Zeiss Biogon 28mm f/2.8 ZM or the CV 28/2 ULTRON M mount lens.

But, the 21mm focal length lenses suit me better - I don't consider the 28mm lenses to be Wide Angle - just Slightly Wide, Normal lenses.

[ellisson]

Thanks everyone for these excellent suggestions. I am leaning towards the wider (21 or 25mm) length. From what I have read, a viewer attachment in the same length would be needed to assure that the framing is accurate. Is this essential, or can I get by without it? Gary