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The Leica CL Proves Compact Doesn't Mean Compromise

Captured Light Creative

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In this video I review the Leica CL digital camera and compare the use case to the new Leica MEV1. I break down the CL's features and compare it to Leica's newest innovation. This is an APS-C sensor beauty!
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20 Comments

@ckdav1 10 months ago

That’s my fav edc. Goes with me everywhere with all the lenses in an Oberwerth Munich bag. Absolute perfection. This the camera Leica should never have discontinued.

@doogieham 10 months ago

Thanks for rekindling my interest in this camera. I used to have the CL but sold it when I invested in the Fuji ecosystem years ago but now regret it since I’ve switched back to L-Mount. One of my favourite photos I’ve ever taken of my wife was with the CL and the Sigma 45/2.8. It was kind of a wonky focal length when factoring in the APS-C crop but it captured the light in a very special way. I would be over-the-top excited if Leica decided to release an updated full frame version of this camera for the L-Mount — basically an interchangeable lens version of the Q3. Please, please Leica!

@Boub65 2 weeks ago (edited)

Hi Brian, nice review... I sold all my M digital bodies (kept one M film body), sold my DLux-8, selling my SL2-S... AND kepping just my Silver CL digital and my M lenses... also going to invest in small TL lenses also now...

@derronius 6 months ago

Such a nice presentation for the CL. I have one to be delivered in two days! Very excited. Thank you.

@InArcadiaSum 1 month ago

Superb camera and the second Leica I bought after my TL2. I was surprised when Leica got out of APS-C. My only slight annoyance is that I now have Leica ff cameras as well, and a mix of M and L mount full frame and APS-C lenses and occasionally I pick up the "wrong" one.

@FarEastSurvival 10 months ago (edited)

Thank you for sharing. I subscribed. I too have the CL digital. It is my favorite camera of all time. I have the M10R, SL2S also. I am trading the M10R for MEV1. The CL’s low light performance isn’t great this is why I’m getting the MEV1.

@nakia-nyc1820 10 months ago

Thank you for the review! This camera is incredibly easy to use, and the Leica colors are beautiful. I love mine—I can operate it without even looking at the knobs. Honestly, it’s a camera I’ll never sell. I even have the Leica Q3, and that one has basically been sold multiple times, but the CL is the one that always stays.

@xvxcollin 9 months ago

thanks for the video. one just came up and i was thinking of getting it.

@ImAnEmergency 7 months ago

i inherited this camera from my dad after he passed and it got me back into photography. switched to fuji for a more affordable ecosystem but found a sigma 50 at a good price that got me back using this cl. its age shows with the autofocus but it still has its own magic and i'll never sell it

@Claus-wp1eq 7 months ago

Hi Brian, all. I bought that nice Leica CL as my first digital Leica 20 years after M6 TTL and I am really fascinated. Yes, Leica did a great job. Technically not comparable with Sony but with deep soul and great feeling. Thanks for your great review and I will reach out for M-lenses again... ;-)

@harrisedgar 8 months ago

Wonderful video..!!! I'm subscribing..!!

@johnkasianowicz6536 10 months ago

I love Leica’s CL digital camera. I have two (silver and Bauhaus Edition), every TL lens, and adapters for M- and R-mounts lenses.

@MrBosfilm 5 months ago

Years ago I discovered the old Minolta Leica CL and since then was hooked to Leica. Because of the image quality. First the M for years, in digital times the SL. But I changed to CL because it is so small again. And one important advantage: I can look through the EVF with my glasses on! Super.

@desmond3191 8 months ago

Thanks for sharing. I love it too. (I got a silver bauhaus edition and several TL lens, they work well for street photography.)

@w-cchen2925 2 months ago

I found the photos taken from the cl are my favorite. It is lightweight with the Leica soul.

@anasrida3454 9 months ago

If there’s more than one face recognized in the frame, do you know how to swap between the faces to change focus?

@Justme0495 10 months ago (edited)

Have the T from 2015 and it feels completely different to the CL. The CL feels like a classic Leica, while the T feels more like a smartphone. But I truly enjoy the T. Still an amazing camera and it has a build in flash, unlike the later TL and TL2 and the CL as well. But the CL would probably be my choice for travel.

@kiwipics 10 months ago

Don't forget all of those other 3rd party manual and AF lenses from the likes of Viltrox, Meike, 7 Artisans, TT Artisans and Rokinon etc.

@rudigerwolf9626 9 months ago

CL was my first Leica. Absolutely love it. Really frustrating that they did not continue to upgrade the body. I can see why. If they had, it would probably be my only Leica. Get me a 40mp sensor, which is now available, and life would be sweet with this camera and its amazing lenses.

@GasProblems 3 weeks ago

ugh too bad it doesn't have weather sealing ; I know its not a must but im currently looking to fill a gap as I have a Ricoh griv and Nikon z6iii . I don't like taking the Nikon out for not serious shooting / not paid shoots. I just looked up this camera and was surprised to see 1/8000 max mechanical shutter which is great . the no weather sealing is unfortunately for me the thing im looking for. Im really eyeing the q3 but we shall see.