Minolta CLE
The Minolta CLE is a 35mm rangefinder camera introduced in 1980, using the Leica M bayonet mount and offering aperture-priority automatic exposure with TTL metering. Positioned as a compact, electronically controlled rangefinder, it followed on from the earlier Leitz-Minolta CL and gave Minolta a foothold in the M-mount system market.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Minolta CLE body have ranged from about £380 to £1,000, with a median in the low-to-mid £800s across the past two years. As of 2026, clean working examples sell for around £750–£1,000 at saleroom level, while cameras with cosmetic wear or electronic faults are worth closer to the lower end; condition and inclusion of the dedicated 40mm Rokkor lens are the main factors that move the price.
Variants
Select a variant to filter the sales history below.
| Variant | Years | Edition | Sales | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| gold | — | — | 1 | £3,400 – £3,400 |
Sales History
Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.
Prices updated: October 2025
| Date | Price | Source | Variant | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | £600 | 🇬🇧 Tennants Auctioneers | — | |
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Auction: Scientific & Musical Instruments, Cameras & Tools (Lot 181) Title: Minolta CLE Camera
Description:
with M-Rokkor lenses: f2 40mm, f4 90mm and f2.8 28mm and leaflets, camera in case, lenses with boxes |
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| Jun 2025 | EUR 3,400 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | gold | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 46 (Lot A01967) Title: Minolta CLE Gold outfit 'the last one'
Description:
Very rare gold edition with brown lizard skin, this is the very last of only 300 made, no other CLE has been produced since (!), in very good condition, some traces on the top plate, with matching black/gold M-Rokkor 2/40mm no.2124972 (hood, front cap and outfit maker's box), special leather case (in maker's box), with special wooden presentation box. Estimate: EUR 2,400 - EUR 2,800 |
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| Apr 2025 | £1,000 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 117) Title: A Minolta CLE 35mm Rangefinder Outfit
Description:
black, body VG-E, shutter works, rangefinder bright and clear, with a M-Rokkor f/2 40mm lens, barrel VG, optics G, very light haze, and a a M-Rokkor |
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| Mar 2025 | £945 | 🇬🇧 Chiswick Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Photographica (Lot 223) Title: A Minolta CLE Rangefinder Camera Outfit
Description:
A Minolta CLE Rangefinder Camera Outfit Serial No: 1018939 Body: VG Shutter: working Lenses: A Minolta 28mm f/2.8 M-Rokkor (1001919) A Leitz 90mm f/4 (Qty: 1) ... read more |
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| Oct 2024 | £750 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 126) Title: A Minolta CLE Rangefinder Camera Outfit
Description:
A Minolta CLE Rangefinder Camera Outfit, serial no 1015338, shutter working, meter responsive, responsive in auto, self timer working, rangefinder |
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| Oct 2024 | £380 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 122) Title: A Minolta CLE Rangefinder Camera
Description:
A Minolta CLE Rangefinder Camera, serial no 1049874, shutter working, meter responsive, responsive in auto, self timer working, rangefinder working, |
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| Oct 2024 | £500 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 137) Title: A Minolta CLE Rangefinder Camera
Description:
A Minolta CLE Rangefinder Camera, serial no 1001166, shutter working, light meter responsive, responsive in auto, self timer working, body VG, with M- |
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| Apr 2024 | £650 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 474) Title: A Minolta CLE Rangefinder Camera
Description:
A Minolta CLE Rangefinder Camera, serial no 1005162, shutter working, mater working, camera responsive in auto, self timer working, viewfinder clear, |
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| Oct 2022 | £880 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 15) Title: A Minolta CLE 35mm Rangefinder Camera
Description:
1981, black, serial no. 1025988, with a black M-Rokkor f/2 40mm lens, serial no. 2105401, shutter untested, body VG-E, oval label missing from rear, |
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| May 2007 | EUR 1,150 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 11 (Lot AI_11_16527) Title: Minolta CLE outfit
Description:
in perfect working condition with Summicron-C 2/40mm no.2630779, Elmar-C 4/90mm no.2579195, Auto CLE flash, 5 filters, cable release, Minolta table tripod, caps, instructions, strap, ever ready case, all in matching Minolta outfit case Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 1,000 |
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| May 2005 | EUR 1,760 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 7 (Lot AI_7_25268) Title: Minolta CLE outfit
Description:
new Minolta CLE for 50th anniversary with brown snakeskin in original wooden box (A-), M-Rokkor 2.8/28mm no.1020994 (A), M-Rokkor 2/40mm no.2128187 (A), M-Rokkor 4/90 no.2015027 (A/B), Minolta Auto Electroflash CLE (A), Minolta CLE case (A-), Minolta CLE system display (A-), all in original maker's box, rare outfit, especially in this mint condition. Estimate: EUR 1,600 - EUR 2,000 |
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| Nov 2004 | £203 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS, MAGIC LANTERNS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 132) Title: Minolta CLE no. 1008229
Description:
Minolta CLE no. 1008229 Estimate: £250 - £350 |
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| Jun 2002 | £763 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: LEICA, NIKON AND 35MM CAMERAS (Lot 371) Title: Minolta CLE no. 1004029
Description:
Minolta CLE no. 1004029 Estimate: £600 - £900 |
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| May 2000 | £1,116 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Magic Lanterns, Optical Toys and Cameras (Lot 217) Title: Minolta CLE no. 1027217
Description:
Minolta CLE no. 1027217 Estimate: £600 - £900 |
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| Jan 2000 | £575 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Photographs, Cameras and Photographic Equipment (Lot 256) Title: Minolta CLE no. 1019186
Description:
Minolta CLE no. 1019186 Estimate: £500 - £800 |
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| Oct 1999 | £805 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Cameras and Optical Toys (Lot 86) Title: Minolta CLE no. 1031658
Description:
Minolta CLE no. 1031658 Estimate: £400 - £600 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Minolta CLE worth today?
Recent UK auction hammer prices put the value of a Minolta CLE body between roughly £380 and £1,000, with most clean working examples selling for £750 to £1,000.
How much does a Minolta CLE sell for at auction?
In the last two years the CLE has sold for a median price in the low-to-mid £800s at UK auction, with the top price in the dataset reaching £1,000 in April 2025.
Why does the price of a Minolta CLE vary so much?
Because the camera is electronically controlled, a fully functional body with working meter and auto exposure commands a strong premium, while examples with electronic faults or heavy wear sell nearer £380–£400.
Does the Minolta CLE take Leica M lenses?
Yes, the CLE uses the Leica M bayonet mount, which is part of why values have held up against other Minolta rangefinders of the period.