Guest Posto 6 Posted May 16, 2009 Share #1 Posted May 16, 2009 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) As it now seems certain that Leica will not be building any more analogue SLR cameras, a consensus ranking in terms of useability, durability (an increasingly important issue from now on) and serviceability would be useful. If those with practical experience of the Leicaflex and R series could send their opinions, this would help build up quite an accurate picture of the desireability and practicality of the various models. Perhaps this could be done using a star rating, as well as concise comments on the cameras' attributes. To start the process, I would suggest the following: -SL2 MOT- ***** Wonderful all-manual camera, exceptional finder, ultra-robust, practical, high reliability if serviced regularly -SL **** As above, weaker lightmeter, limitation on using certain lenses -R6.2 **** Nice camera, can have significant shutter lag, zinc top plate, recent vintage, small size -R9 **** will take digital back, refined, reliable, ergonomic but bulky -R7 *** Easily best of automatic R range (among R4,R4s,RE and R5) -R4 ** electronics get old, inferior finder, good as starter due to price Edited May 16, 2009 by Posto 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 16, 2009 Posted May 16, 2009 Hi Guest Posto 6, Take a look here Leica analogue reflex desirability. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Overgaard Posted May 16, 2009 Share #2 Posted May 16, 2009 -SL ***** The closest you get to M camera feeling in terms of being an extension of your eyes. Wonderful sound (sexiest shutter sound ever in any camera) -R9 ***** Simply works, ergonomics perfect, viewfinder bright and precise. With the motor it's a very precise camera to use and feels like it could go on like that for eternity. -R4 *** Great camera to use, silent winder/motor, but very 70ties feel of electronics Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joop van Heijgen Posted May 16, 2009 Share #3 Posted May 16, 2009 I find The Leicaflex SL the best SLR camera of Leica; I can say that after the use of this camera of more than 30 years. It is the most realiable camera besides my Leica's M4 (P). I had never any technical trouble with the SL. The SL have still the most beautiful big sceen of 'pentaprism'. The SL is now to own for around €150; When you give this camera a CLA then you will get an excellent camera for the rest of your life... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Douglasco Posted May 17, 2009 Share #4 Posted May 17, 2009 I can only agree with Joop, it is a beautiful camera well built and very cheap to buy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Overgaard Posted May 17, 2009 Share #5 Posted May 17, 2009 The SL is the camera but R8 and R9 is also, in their own way. And more useful as they can be used digital. It's incredible nice cameras. But it's true that the M4 and SL is reliable. Snow, rain, dust, nothing affects them. But I have had some focus problems with the SLs, probably because the mirror needs adjustment. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted May 17, 2009 Share #6 Posted May 17, 2009 R3 - does everything I want, lovely shutter response and quiet too, centre weighted/spot metering, solidly built. Downsides, its heavy, 1/1000 top speed. The problem with any electronic R is that when the electrics fail its usually uneconomical to repair them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posto 6 Posted May 17, 2009 Share #7 Posted May 17, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) The SL is the camera I really find that I prefer the extra features of the SL2Mot, in spite of the significant price premium. The electronics are very robust and reliable (like the SL), and I have found the extra strength from the internals of the Mot version makes for an extremely robust and dependable mechanism (I have 3 Mots, but have never owned a plain SL2). If buying one of these, I would definitely seek out an SL2Mot as it is likely to be far longer-lasting, and in fact does not command much of a price difference to the normal SL2. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildlightphoto Posted May 18, 2009 Share #8 Posted May 18, 2009 The SL is the camera Same for me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruiespanhol Posted May 18, 2009 Share #9 Posted May 18, 2009 The SL is the camera but R8 and R9 is also, in their own way. And more useful as they can be used digital. It's incredible nice cameras. But it's true that the M4 and SL is reliable. Snow, rain, dust, nothing affects them. But I have had some focus problems with the SLs, probably because the mirror needs adjustment. I Full agree whit You. For me the R8 is the R camera:cool:However my 30 years old R3 never let me down to.. Regards, Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest darkstar2004 Posted May 18, 2009 Share #10 Posted May 18, 2009 The SL is the camera but R8 and R9 is also, in their own way. And more useful as they can be used digital. It's incredible nice cameras. At a camera shop I know, there is a pristine (9+) R9 anthracite languishing, priced at $1795US - about half what a new one would set me back. It's awfully tempting - but I have no R lenses and I think "that $1795 would go a long way toward another M lens." I'm thinking it may be better to concentrate on the M line, as I already have a good start there; what do the rest of you think? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posto 6 Posted May 18, 2009 Share #11 Posted May 18, 2009 Same for me. Hi Doug, In view of your unrivalled experience with Leica SLRs, I would be very interested in your analysis as to what you feel makes the SL a better camera- perhaps it would be worthwhile getting one as well to compare! In particular, is it the handling, or the construction which you feel tips the balance? Apologies if you have already gone into a lot of detail on this elsewhere- if it is easier, feel free to provide the links. All the best, Gerry Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrid Posted May 18, 2009 Share #12 Posted May 18, 2009 But it's true that the M4 and SL is reliable. Snow, rain, dust, nothing affects them. But I have had some focus problems with the SLs, probably because the mirror needs adjustment. I love the SL, but I would suggest some tape over the small cover on the front of the prism... It's an easy entry point for dust and dirt. I found that out the hard way... Other then that it's one of the best cameras Leica has made. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrid Posted May 18, 2009 Share #13 Posted May 18, 2009 However my 30 years old R3 never let me down to.. Regards, I'm starting to think that the R3 is a very underrated camera... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildlightphoto Posted May 19, 2009 Share #14 Posted May 19, 2009 Hi Doug, In view of your unrivalled experience with Leica SLRs, I would be very interested in your analysis as to what you feel makes the SL a better camera- perhaps it would be worthwhile getting one as well to compare! In particular, is it the handling, or the construction which you feel tips the balance? Apologies if you have already gone into a lot of detail on this elsewhere- if it is easier, feel free to provide the links. All the best, Gerry Leica Leicaflex SL - photo.net Viewfinder, construction and handling. Since the above review was written I've also figured out how to use many ROM lenses on the SL without removing the ROM contacts or otherwise limiting the usability of the lenses on either R or SL bodies. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBA Posted May 19, 2009 Share #15 Posted May 19, 2009 I chose the Leicaflex SL2 mainly because of the greater mirror clearance and the ability to use lenses that cannot be used on the SL. I believe the 24 Elmarit (Minolta design) is one of these, and I use it a lot. I also have a motorized R8 that I really love. If only it had as good a viewfinder as the Leicaflex, it would be the perfect camera. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgcd Posted May 19, 2009 Share #16 Posted May 19, 2009 My preference is strictly for the R8/R9. I never had any interest with respect to the Leicaflexes as their CDS metering system is too slow and honestly sluggish as well as being subject to memory issues in the case of bright light sources. Cheers, Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joachim123 Posted May 19, 2009 Share #17 Posted May 19, 2009 I have an R4 which I love. Have only replaced the light seals(they deteriorate after time) other than that no problems. A great camera to use. Waiting for some money to buy an M6. R4 Motor Winder 4 90mm Summicron F2 50mm Summicron F2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyp Posted May 19, 2009 Share #18 Posted May 19, 2009 Somehow, whether it be film or digital, if you could combine the R8/R9 with the SL/SL2, that would be the perfect camera [for me]. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnastovall Posted May 19, 2009 Share #19 Posted May 19, 2009 The SL2 the last of the pure Wetzlar design Leica Reflexes. A joy to use... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest liesevolvo Posted May 19, 2009 Share #20 Posted May 19, 2009 SL as a bargain (wonderful camera!), SL2 as the even better camera (the last pure Wetzlar-design, as the M5). SL seems better for me with bellows, SL2 in general use. Lightmeter is improved a lot. Both can become a mess, when they are defect. Buy one that has been serviced during the last years. Lenn, Cologne/Germany Excuse my English Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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