Leica CL mirrorless has a typically unconventional design
Cameras
Leica, once again you've given me the ambivalent feels.
The CL, the company's classic APS-C mirrorless model, which is the alter ego of the modern TL2, is a Leica through and through.
That means the trademark almost too clean design aesthetic, or an otherwise excellent form, randomly takes precedence over function.
And the price, great sharp APSC photos and decent auto focus speed at great full frame prices.
There are a ton of things I like about the design, it has a tiny bit useful status display on top, and rather than front and back dials it has two side by side, and that feels rather good to me.
To change modes you press the button on the left dial which is the primary, the secondary right dial controls the textual functions, and you can reprogram it via simple long presses of the button, without ever taking your eye from the view finder, which by the way is big and bright and shows you the current dial programming.
You can customize up to six store profiles as well as import them.
And you can manually specify the minimum Shutter Speed as a reciprocal of the focal length which is kinda cool.
And necessary because not all Leica lenses have optical stabilization so why the ambivalence?
There is no grip not even the tiny indentations in like models like the M and Q if you are wanna shoot single handedly comfortably you have to pay more And if you get the foam grip which is yet another extra cost option.
You'll lose the hot sheet while you're using it.
Notice anything missing?
THere are no doors on these dysfunctional sleek sides.
That means no ports for USB charges or connecting, no HDMI out to monitor TV or so on.
The SD slot is inconveniently in the battery Department like a cheap camera.
Plus, it shoots 4K video.
The only control you have is exposure compensation.
[MUSIC]
