Leicaflex SL Mot

[SteveYork]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I'm the new owner of a very nice Leicaflex SL Mot. I just assumed that it came with this famed micro-prism focusing screen that I've heard so mush about, but it appears to be a ground glass screen. Does anyone know if the motorized model came with a different screen? Maybe I'm looking at the micro-prism screen, but it sure doesn't seem like it. Thanks in advance.

[mooky]

As far as I know, the SL (and mot version) could be ordered from the factory with the different screen types. At least this was a definite fact for my SL2 mot, as I initially ordered it with the split-prism screen which worked very well except for manual stop-down with the Telyt lenses.

 

I now have the micro-prism screen in my current SL2 mot which also works very nicely. If you haven't had it CLA (clean, lube adjust) yet, it's always a good idea if it hasn't been checked in a while, or if the camera hasn't been used recently.

 

I had DAG once modify a very nice black chrome SL mot with an SL2 shutter dial, the more sensitive SL2 meter cell and the meter-loop in the finder. Too, you can also have the mirror slightly 'trimmed' to enable use of some of the lenses that were produced to fit the SL2.

 

This is all based on the assumption that you want to spend the upgrade cash to do the modifications which really are not necessary. In some ways, I feel that the SL mot was just a little more 'robust', and that SL2 was a bit more 'refined'. Either way it's a great camera and you might be able to find the screen with some of the qualified CLA shops.

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[SteveYork]

Update -- Yes, it does, in fact, have the micro-prism screen. It's great for outdoors, well lit scenes, but can be a guessing game in low light situations.