Leica CL1973

History

Released 1973 as a joint Leitz-Minolta project. The CL was assembled in Japan but quality-controlled in Wetzlar. Production ran three years until 1976. Leitz disbanded the partnership; Minolta independently released a successor as the Minolta CLE (1980), an electronic-shutter CL with aperture-priority AE — a "Leica without Leitz approval." Leica never officially renewed the CL line.

About 65,000 CL bodies were made — low volume, contributing to current collector value.

Why It Matters

The CL is the only compact Leica M ever produced. Body dimensions (121 × 76 × 32 mm) are closer to a Yashica T2 than an M6. The 40mm Summicron-C lens that came with it is a cult lens — sharp, contrasty, and the field of view (slightly wider than 50mm) is perfect for street and reportage. For travel photographers who want M-mount lens compatibility in a body the size of a fixed-lens compact, the CL is unique.

For 2026 buyers, used prices run $700–1,500 for a clean body. The CL takes any Leica M-mount lens, though longer telephotos (135mm) are not framed by the CL's finder. The trade-off vs M6: smaller and lighter; no fast shutter speeds beyond 1/1000s; mercury-battery meter dependency.

Lenses & Accessories

Leica M-mount: any era. 40mm Summicron-C f/2 and 90mm Elmar-C f/4 were CL-specific (designed for the smaller body). 40/2 Summicron-C is excellent and surprisingly affordable. Standard M-mount lenses (Summicron 35, 50, 90) all work. Some longer focal lengths and ultra-wide M lenses won't have proper frame lines (CL shows 40 / 50 / 90 only).

Sample Photographers / Notable Use

• Cult travel/compact-Leica favorite.
• Cartier-Bresson is reported to have tried the CL in late career (he was committed to M3 / M2 by then).
• Featured in 35mmc and Casual Photophile as the "Leica you can actually carry."

References

• Camera-Wiki: Leica CL
• Wikipedia: Leica CL