When the CL was introduced last November, it was significant that it came only in black, although the optional silver 18mm Elmarit hinted at a future silver version. That version is now here, launched today at Photokina, and a handsome beast it is. I confess I’m a bit of a stick-in-the mud when it comes to camera colours and, even when given a choice, usually opt for black. Nonetheless, having now seen the silver CL I wish it has been available at launch. I would have bought it without hesitation.
It now looks even more like the earliest Leica models and is sure to be a popular choice.
This addition to the range comes at an opportune moment, the day when the L-mount moves into the big time. I know several photographers who, although impressed with the CL, held off because they doubted Leica would make a go of the mount. They feared that investing in lenses might be a dead and costly end.
No longer is this the case, and I expect sales of the CL to increase in the wake of the L-Mount Alliance announcement. The existing range of lenses is now assured of a long life and I can’t help wondering whether or not they are manufactured by Sigma. They are certainly not made in Germany and, in view of the new alliance, Sigma is an obvious culprit.
Here is Leica’s full release.
Press information
New design option for the Leica CL
Leica Camera AG has expanded the product portfolio of the APS-C system and now presents a classic silver version for the Leica CL compact system camera.
Wetzlar, 25th September 2018. In November 2017, Leica Camera AG expanded the product portfolio of its APS-C system range with the introduction of the Leica CL and is now offering a second design option for the compact system camera in classic silver. Inspired by the iconic design of the black CL, the new design is distinguished by its classic combination of black and silver elements. The top deck and the baseplate are silver anodised and create a distinctive contrast to the black of the leather trim. The control elements of the top deck are also finished in silver which perfectly complement the elegant appearance of the camera. To improve handling, a colour-matched thumb rest is now also available in silver as an accessory for the new model.
The silver version of the Leica CL is on sale from October for £2,250 including VAT (body only). The price and technical specifications of both models of the CL are identical.
One of the outstanding features of the Leica CL is its electronic viewfinder with EyeRes technology developed by Leica specifically for this camera. With a latency time below the threshold of perception and a resolution of 2.36 million pixels, the EyeRes® viewfinder offers an impressive viewing experience and numerous advantages; as the final image is visible in the viewfinder before the shutter release is pressed, users have complete control over the composition of their subjects.
In combination with the high-resolution, 24MP, APS-C format sensor of the Leica CL, a Maestro II series processor and fast autofocus with 49 metering points guarantee maximum picture quality in all photographic situations. The Leica CL is not only an impressive stills picture camera, but excels in moving pictures too – its video function captures at a resolution of up to 4K at 30 frames per second.
The Leica CL also comes equipped with an integrated Wi-Fi module. Pictures and videos can be sent by a wireless connection to smartphones, tablets or computers and quickly and easily shared by email or in social networks with the Leica CL App for iOS or Android. In addition to this, the remote function of the app lets mobile devices be used as an off-camera viewfinder or for altering exposure parameters – for example when shooting with the self-timer function or from unusual angles. The new Leica FOTOS App can also be used with the Leica CL, and will be available from October 2018.
With its compact size and iconic design, the Leica CL is an ideal everyday companion, while its user-friendly handling concept makes it an intuitive tool for capturing spontaneous and discreet pictures. All essential controls are located on its top plate. In addition to the electronic viewfinder, there are two dials for setting the aperture, shutter speed ISO value, and exposure compensation. Everything is so conveniently located that photographs can be made without taking the camera from the eye. An additional display on the top plate instantly provides information about all relevant settings and exposure parameters. Together with the perfectly defined release pressure point, users have absolute control over every picture they take with the Leica CL.
An extensive portfolio of APS-C Lenses in black or silver anodised finish are available for the Leica CL. The lenses offer superior imaging performance and are responsible for the exceptionally high picture quality delivered by the Leica APS-C System. The portfolio of compact and fast lenses with focal lengths from 17 to 200mm offers infinite opportunities for all kinds of creative photography. Thanks to the elegant simplicity of the design, the three zoom lenses – the Super-Vario-Elmar-TL 1:3.5–4.5/11–23 ASPH., Vario-Elmar-TL 1:3.5– 5.6/18–56 ASPH. and the APO-Vario-Elmar-TL 1:3.5–4.5/55–135 ASPH. – and four prime lenses – the Elmarit-TL 1:2.8/18 ASPH., Summicron-TL 1:2/23 ASPH., Summilux-TL 1:1.4/35 ASPH. and the APO-Macro-Elmarit-TL 1:2.8/60 ASPH. – perfectly complement the Leica CL not only in terms of technological excellence, but also in looks.
Developed by optical engineering specialists in Wetzlar, the Leica APS-C Lenses offer the exceptional imaging performance for which Leica lenses are famed. The combination of optical and precision engineering expertise and the use of the finest materials in their construction ensures their constant quality and reliability is guaranteed.
Thanks to the L-Bayonet mount shared by the Leica TL- and SL-Systems, SL-Lenses can also be used without an adapter on the CL and the TL2. Adapters are available for using Leica M- and R-Lenses on the cameras. As a consequence of the ‘L-Mount Alliance’, announced shortly before the opening of photokina 2018, which grants Panasonic and Sigma licenses to use the L-Mount Standard developed by Leica and offer lenses and cameras with this lens mount, the Leica CL is also prepared for future lens developments.
An extensive range of technical- and style-accessories complements the Leica APS-C system product portfolio.
Looks amazing in silver! Want!