CameraWorth.com

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.

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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: April 2025

Date Price Source
Apr 2025 £1,000 Flints Auctions
Mar 2025 £945 Chiswick Auctions
Oct 2024 £750 Special Auction Services
Oct 2024 £380 Special Auction Services
Oct 2024 £500 Special Auction Services
Apr 2024 £650 Special Auction Services
Oct 2022 £880 Flints Auctions
May 2007 EUR 1,150 Leitz Auction
May 2005 EUR 1,760 Leitz Auction
Nov 2004 £203 Christie's
Jun 2002 £763 Christie's
May 2000 £1,116 Christie's
Jan 2000 £575 Christie's
Oct 1999 £805 Christie's

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.

Other Minolta cameras