Leicaflex SL2

[Douglasco]

I have just read an old photo magazine and it says the Leica SL2 was one of the best SLR cameras of the era. I am looking for a good quality film SLR and was wondering if this information was correct if so what is the best online store to buy one from, either in the UK or elswhere. I am not to sure about ebay.

[stunsworth]

Doug Herr is our resident SL2 expert, and I'm sure he'll be along soon agreeing with the sentiments in the article you've read.

For the UK I normally suggest Ffordes - ffordes photographic : Main Index - but the only SL2 they have in at the moment is an expensive anniversary model.

[spydrxx]

Ebay isn't bad if you are careful about performing your own due diligence and plan an extra sum for a CLA. I got mine that way three or four years ago and sent it to DAG who brought everything back to top notch condition including updating the battery circuitry for me. It is a terrific SLR camera...I like it better than my R8 and my Nikon F100.

[ejd]

They are very nice but can be quite expensive in the UK. The SL is also very nice, more commonly found, and much cheaper to buy. If you want an SL2 it is worth looking around for a while for one that is a good price. Camera repairs and restoration of Luton LEICA - CAMERA REPAIRS & RESTORATION - LUTON , ENGLAND are very good if you need to have maintenance done. MXV Photographic Ltd. Fine, used photographic equipment bought and sold since 1990. had one the other day for £220 but it sold. Photo Design Studio Untitled Document has had them from time to time, and Classic Cameras - Rare and Collectable Photographic Equipment – MWClassic.com may have one occsionally.

[Douglasco]

Thanks for all your help I can check out these web sites untill I find a nice one

[Joop van Heijgen]

The Leicaflex SL is even a better camera than the SL 2.

The viewfinder of the SL looks better because it has no 'split' in the center but a microprisma in the center.
Technically the SL2 is more complex to repair; its makes a CLA rather expensive!
At the moment you can buy a SL for about €150,-

It is a mistake to think that the SL2 is a better camera than the SL!

I can say that because I own these cameras for more than 30 years!

[Joop van Heijgen]

The original Leicaflex and Leicaflex SL's are probably the most "over built" SLR's ever done! The finder of the 'flex and SL still ranks among the brightest SLR finders made. A couple of the old Leica technicians at Wetzlar once told me that the best built of them all was the Leicaflex SL. All shafts and drives were oversized and made to last. I have seen SL's that has had 1-1.5 million frames though them (used for copy work and film use was documented) and though you could feel some "slop" in the advance they worked perfectly. I have a couple of them, an old Leicaflex with the "pie" shaped counter and a Leicaflex SL Mot in black paint. Both are still being used, mainly for the 100 APO-macro and the 180 APO-Telyt. The black one occasionally misses closing down the aperture on the 100 Macro, but not often enough to warrant a service. I also have a Leicaflex, 2nd version, with the round film counter dial. This one shows the problem with the older Flexes. The curtain is torn and the amount of labor required to replace the curtain is far more than the camera is worth. You have to dis-assemble the whole camera (anywher from 4-7 hours of labor) to get to it. It does make a great paper weight though as it is heavy enough to flatten even the most prolific pile of government documents!

What goes on these cameras are usually the meters, but there is areason for hand held meters anyway.
The SL2 is probably the best "user" of them as the meter circuit was improved. If you get one that is in good shape - it will most likely outlive you (even if you are young). The SL2 Mot and the SL Mot had Leica losing money on each of them. The figure that I heard is that they cost almost 1000 mark more to build than they sold for (no wonder they only made about 2000 of them in total).
I once had a SL2 Mot that had a misaligned motor. You would load up with film, turn on the motor and go through the film. When you opened the camera it had cheerfully torn all the sprocket holes and you had a narrow strip with images, two really narrow strips with filmtype and numbers on it and 100's of small filmchips all over!
Leica made the ultimate exercise tool in 35mm too. The Tandem mount SL2 Mot. Two bodies on a bracket with an interval coupling between them. HUGE and heavy. Mainly used by sports photographers and for aerial shooting. I always felt that it wasen't the athletes that deserved praise - it was the guy with the Tandem SL kit!. Shooting aerials through the open cockpit door of a helicopter, you used one safety belt for the camera kit and one for you!
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[Douglasco]

Thanks for all your info Joop I will look for an SL and try to get a 35mm lens as well.

[lll]

Hi Douglas,

I´m selling a SL in very good working condition for 210 Euro and one of the legendary first series Summicrons 2/35. A dream combination. The Summicron is equpped with 3-cams, nearly mint and comes with original box, hood, papers. Price for the Summicron is 420 Euro - according to its condition. Transport to the UK would be free. You can send me an PM if you are interested.

Best regards
Friedhelm

[JBA]

Another difference between the SL and SL2 is the mirror clearance. Certain lenses cannot be used with the SL but can be used with the SL2. I believe the 19mm 2.8 is one such lens, which was a strong deciding factor for me in opting for the SL2.

[luigi bertolotti]

Douglas, I'm not exactly in my field (only know RF Leicas, never had a Leicaflex), but as a avid surfer of online shops that deal on Leicas, I tend to endorse the SL way... SL2 is more difficult to find (lower production numbers) and has a sort of "magic halo" due to the fact that it was the last of a certain kind of high quality camera: both reasons keep the prices in high range: in practical/user terms, given a certain sum to invest, I'd say is surely better to go for a SL and transfer the difference on lens(es).

[Douglasco]

Thanks Friedhelm I have sent you a pm

[Joop van Heijgen]

See also about the 'super innerworld" quality of the Leicaflex (SL):

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...ren-werte.html

[Douglasco]

Its amazing stuff Joop no wonder they are reliable cameras

[john_newell]

The much-denigrated but very useful (and quite good) 24mm f/2.8 is another lens that cannot be used on the SL.

Originally Posted by JBA

Another difference between the SL and SL2 is the mirror clearance. Certain lenses cannot be used with the SL but can be used with the SL2. I believe the 19mm 2.8 is one such lens, which was a strong deciding factor for me in opting for the SL2.

[Joop van Heijgen]

When you really need a Elmarit 24/2,8 or a 19/2,8 you can better buy a cheap R camera like a RE for about €250,- For the rest of your saved money you can also buy the SL...

[Michael Hiles]

Originally Posted by Joop van Heijgen

The Leicaflex SL is even a better camera than the SL 2.

The viewfinder of the SL looks better because it has no 'split' in the center but a microprisma in the center.
Technically the SL2 is more complex to repair; its makes a CLA rather expensive!
At the moment you can buy a SL for about €150,-

It is a mistake to think that the SL2 is a better camera than the SL!

I can say that because I own these cameras for more than 30 years!

I owned an original Leicaflex. The focusing prism (which is the same on the SL) was a joy to use. It is a microprism device that shimmers (not fuzzy or "uncrisp") when the image is out of focus. It is accurate and does not intrude into your mind's eye. In my experience, split image devices are less attractive. Specifically the SL is well worth considering for the viewfinder. And those cameras are built as though Rolls Royce manufactured over engineered tanks.

[wls.shanghai]

Originally Posted by john_newell

The much-denigrated but very useful (and quite good) 24mm f/2.8 is another lens that cannot be used on the SL.

....no worry - if you need a good wide lens
just take the famos Leica Super Angulon 1:4/21.

You can see the results here in the forum,
many of my pictures are made with that great lens!

Regards
wls

[Douglasco]

I finally bought an SL today, I hope to get it by the end of the week. its described as near mint so should be o.k. All I need now is some black and white film and I will be all set up. Thanks for all your info

[lll]

...means: if anybody else is interested in my SL with 2/35mm which I offered in #9 - drop me a line!

Regards
Friedhelm