The Future of the Leica CL in 2022
25th March 2022
(The Leica CL with three lenses typically suitable for general travel photography)
In May 2021, I wrote about the Leica CL and my experiences with the camera. The article has been viewed by well over 2,000 visitors to my site. I wrote about its genesis and expressed the widely held opinion that it was due for updating, possibly by the year-end. Sadly, that did not come to pass. Even more dispiriting, is the total lack of any hint from Leica as to the camera’s future. Recent speculation, in learned forums, adds even more doubt that Leica has any further plans for the APS-C format. I find that puzzling and somewhat contradictory. Let me explain.
A key characteristic of the Leica CL is the innovative L-mount, invented and introduced by Leica and subsequently the catalyst for a consortium of Leica, Panasonic and Sigma. As a result, three manufacturers have invested heavily in a useful, futuristic, shared feature, thus enabling lenses to me made and used on any L-mount camera body. Coupled with key advantages of compactness and low weight, the APS-C format seemed assured. So why would Leica, who invented and launched the L-mount, suddenly abandon it?
The question is premature because, at the time of writing, no decision has been published. But many fear that it is only a matter of time.
To be fair, camera bodies and lenses are still listed. However, in contrast to the expensive and prolonged marketing of the Leica SL2, SL2-S and M-range of cameras, promotion of the Leica CL has been woeful. Nil! By association, you could reasonably conclude that Leica is no longer interested in the CL system.
Yet at the same time, Leica has been introducing expensive niche products, for the super-rich. The latest, a range of expensive Leica wristwatches, was not even launched in the British market. The same was true of the latest Leica smartphone, which went on sale in Asia, but not the West. Perhaps these products tell us something of the direction of travel for future Leica products. Maybe there is no room for conventional photographic products in their post-pandemic thinking. I stress this is speculation, but the evidence is strong.
The Leica CL has been keenly adopted by many talented photographers, worldwide. It is my most employed camera, accounting for almost 50% of my work. I have seen some truly spectacular results from the CL, particularly when twinned with a long zoom lens by Sigma. Enthusiasm for the system is strong in the forums. The camera and lenses are very well-made, and there is very little evidence of serious equipment failures. So, whatever happens in the future, the CL is likely to enjoy many years of satisfactory performance.
Normally, at this point, I might be discussing possible new features in a theoretical Leica CL2. But, to be honest, there are few features I think need altering apart from a more modern sensor and associated computing. I like its current size and configuration. I certainly do not wish to see physical growth in dimensions or weight. It is a nicely mature instrument, which just needs to have its electronics upgraded to keep pace with technical progress.
There is a very good case for hedging your bets. For those owners committed to the system, I suggest you consider buying a new spare CL body. I have. Initially, my second body was to provide for a diverse kit, providing for two widely different focal length lenses to be available while on tour. Dedicated user profiles have been set up for each camera.
At the moment, one body travels in a ThinkTank digital holster with the Leica 55-135 mm zoom lens permanently attached. The other body is fitted with a standard zoom lens or one of two Leica TL prime lenses. (I am currently rediscovering the merits of prime lenses) It makes for a very capable set of equipment. With spare batteries, I am set and ready to go at any time.
So, whatever happens in the future, I am committed to owning and using my Leica CL system. It meets all of my requirements, and more. I can certainly live with the equipment that I currently possess and have nothing on my wish-list. I suggest like-minded owners do likewise. If you only have one body, consider getting a second for alternative applications, or purely for peace of mind in the event of one needing workshop attention.
On the other hand, should Leica spring a pleasant surprise by releasing an upgraded model, well that would be another story. Meanwhile, if you haven’t read my original article, here is the link https://www.davidaskham.com/using-the-leica-cl
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Copyright © David Askham 2022
Comments
By Dennis Steele: David, a nice summary of the CL camera and its capabilities now the new firmware upgrade is installed in the camera.
During the Leica Fellowship meet at Leica Duke Street Store I ask the MD about the future of the CL, He replied that the CL is a very popular camera with Leica users, but Leica HQ do not see it.
I would raise three more points in favour of the CL as follows:-
1. I like the battery being common to other Leica cameras e.g. Q, VLux 4 &5 plus others.
2. Using the Leica SF 40 flashgun with the CL gives outstanding picture quality, and it’s so easy to use and control.
3. I do not think that Leica is going to give up the CL, especially when they invested and developed seven lenses for the CL system. By David Askham: You make a very good point, Dennis, about the wide-spread use of the battery in the CL It simplifies the logistics when travelling with two or more cameras, sharing the same battery type. Only one charger is needed. By Don Morley: I very much enjoyed this article David and Dennis's follow up points I started my APSC period with a Leica T and what then was called the T rather than the L mount.
The Leica T's sensor however was only 18 mega pixel but the image quality from it was and still is so when I ordered my CL I decided to keep the T to use side by side, and as a equal to the CL despite it having far less less pixel power.
In short i likewise work in much the same way as David suggests in his article via my leaving my least used and or longest telephoto lend almost permanently on the T and my all time wonderful 11-23mm Leica wide angle zoom on the CL.
I have several other lenses including such as the Leica 18-56mm zoom, but good as that is I rarely use it, and the real benefits of using a two camera set up like this are of course several, not least because exactly as David does with his two CL,s, it instantly gives me the choice between two very different lens ranges.
As importantly for me at least having this double set up means I also do not have to change lenses nearly as often which in turn means my cameras sensors do not attract as much dust, and this is vital to me as both my T and my CL are dust magnets, and I hate having to clean them too often.
Like David I too have been tempted to buy a second CL camera body rather than continue with my T, but although I enjoyed the CL's built in Viewfinder I was not sufficiently in Love with the CL camera itself.
It did grow on me rather more after Leica themselves issued Firmware 4 but that had taken over three years to come, then things also got even better in terms of my and my CL's relationship after David himself pointed me to a better method than I had been using of stopping the single focus point from going AWOL.
Would I now like David splash out and buy another back up CL whether or not it is about to be dropped from Leica's range? Well probably not but not this time because of any issues or long term worries about the CL itself, more because I actually like my Leica T still and especially so despite the pixel disparity because I do also like the T, TL, and TL2's Olympus made detachable EVF.
Important point that, as it can be tipped up and thus change the viewpoint from horizontal to vertical and I find that very useful as for instance I can see through it to be able to take such as ultra low angle shots without me even needing to bend let alone lie down, likewise I can hold the camera up above my head and use the EVF like a Periscope.
So no I do not think I will add another CL, however as said earlier like David I do like using two cameras rather than one and so instead of another CL I would like a to replace my Leica T with a TL2 which has the same sensor power and faster AF speed as the CL does.
Last word, before I forget, and whichever camera I am using including my Q and SL, I am 100% with Dennis on just loving the SF40 Flash Gun, it is just brilliant and so useful either as main light source or more often for me as a fill in light.
Beyond that thank you David for yet another thought provoking article. Best regards, Don By David Askham: Thank you very much for your comprehensive comments, Don. You have stretched the canvas, somewhat, by introducing the older Leica T and TL cameras. Unfortunately, the latter appear to be suffering the same level of neglect as the CL, and are at risk of being removed from the inventory of active models, on Leica's website, at any time. There have been no upgrades mentioned, and the lens range is static. What do other readers think? By Eric Schneider: I’m a Q2 owner and was waiting for an upgraded CL2 to complement it using the 55-135 zoom. So much lighter than my existingf Nikon kit. So I’m in full agreement that Leica has missed a trick here. In the end i’ve just bought a used CL with the 55-135 both in excellent condition. I am delighted with them, but just wish that the sensor was higher resolution and that optical image stabilisation was in place. Such a shame that no CL2 arrived and that the range has effectively been discontinued. By David Askham: Eric, thank you for your comments. As one who learned his photography before image stabilisation was introduced, I developed appropriate techniques to minimise subject or camera movement. So, with the CL, when shooting the telephoto zoom lens, I created a special profile to ensure I always keep an eye on shutter speed. If I need good depth of field, I try to use a tripod. I can live with the sensor size, which is big enough for most purposes. Having said that, an updated sensor might be welcome. By Gerry Phillipson: I'm grateful for this discussion. Thanks. I'm a committed Leica CL user and get really top quality results with it. I will buy a second body. I bought my CL secondhand but I have a contact problem changing lenses. The EVF and LCD remain black and I can't depress the shutter release. If I clean the camera contacts I can then change the lens. It's a chore. Do you know of others who have had contact problems with the CL? By David Askham: Gerry, thank you for your comments. Regarding your problem with contacts, your report is the first of its kind I have seen. In its previous life, your CL must have suffered some kind of damage which has affected the integrity of the vital contacts, between lens and mount. If cleaning does not solve the problem, I would consider asking Leica's service department for their advice. Have you used an electrical contact cleaning fluid?