Jump to content

SL2 Repair Dilema


Hugh 38

Recommended Posts

Advertisement (gone after registration)

My much loved black SL2 is in need of repairs. When I turn on the light meter the thin stick ( needle) does not drop down from the top of the screen to line up with the paper clip . For a few months now I have had to tap the top of the camera and the stick drops down , and off I go . Perfect exposure , mechanically fine and a delight to use .:)

Assuming I can get it repaired should I go ahead ? I mainly use slide film and there is less around now . I have about 45 rolls of black and white in the fridge and some colour negative . I can shoot that on other reflex bodies , such as my silver SL2 so I would not be without camera .

 

I am concerned that I would get the black SL2 repaired and not be able to do anything with it . I bought the black SL2 , used , in November 1992 and used it a lot . It would be sad to abandon it along with a defective R3 and R4 .:(

Link to post
Share on other sites

Wow that's a tough call to make. Given the reluctance if not refusal of specalist Leica techs to do partial repairs it might very well cost more than the camera's residual value to get it fixed. Perhaps a general camera repair place would fix just the sticky meter needle for less money, Idk. If you can use a handheld meter, or live with the wonky meter and use it for C41 and b&w, then use the silver one for E6, perhaps that's an option to consider. Both my venerable Nikon Photomic FTn meter heads have bit the dust for the second time, the guy I used to use for repairs has sadly passed away, and I almost never shoot film anymore, so I don't plan on having them fixed. You got 22 years out of a camera that was 24 years old when you bought it, and it still functions except for the sticky meter. That speaks for the quality of the SL2.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for the replies. I had forgotten how old it is, or that I have had it for 22 years . It has served me well .

 

I was going to take it to a local repair place , along with a P600 projector . When I got there the shop had closed . The owner was in his 80's ! I tok the projector to a TV repair shop along the road as it needed a new battery terminal in the remote which is universal .

 

I do not like having to use a separate light meter as I find it a fiddle . However it can be done.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

Advertisement (gone after registration)

One thing I would mention re the lightmeter in the SL, the little battery contact tab inside the battery compartment tends to get tired with age and loses it's springiness, so it doesn't make strong contact. I bought an SL a while back and the meter didn't work at all, but I took a small needle-nose tweezer and very gently, so as not to bend the tab too much so it breaks in case it's brittle from work-hardening inserted a tiny piece of 1.5mm thick rubber (cut from a mouse pad) underneath the tab. The meter came back to life and worked perfectly. Not saying that's going to fix this one, but it fixed mine.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

I have a very fond relationship with Leicaflexes even after using, and selling the Leica M3 series to afford one. I would urge you to get the SL2 up to snuff just to ensure it's survival. There will come a time in your life when it will be advantageous to have it at your disposal if you're dedicated to film and it's finer points. They are lovely cameras, and I will never, ever sell another film Leica, just because I need the money.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

1. I've repaired a few of the Leicaflex (all three versions) where the costs of repair probably equaled or exceeded the value of the camera, but I use these cameras a lot, just about every day, it's my main camera now (soon the SL to be the only camera model in the house), so for me, the costs was worth it. As many of you know, there's something unique (in a good way) about the Leicaflex that other mechanical cameras can't match. It's almost as fun taking the picture as getting the picture.

 

2. I don't think film (esp. B&W) will ever disappear. I remember back in the photo.net days, circa 2002, when all the digital heads were saying it would only be a matter of years. It's going to be here for the foreseeable future.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I know it's easy for me to say, but I'm sure you'd get your reward in heaven for keeping another example of these wonderful cameras working on earth.

 

I'm not sure, John. A fellow went to heaven and because he was a photographer he was given a Kodak Brownie, and when he protested he was told, "Sorry. In heaven only God has a Leica."

.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm not sure, John. A fellow went to heaven and because he was a photographer he was given a Kodak Brownie, and when he protested he was told, "Sorry. In heaven only God has a Leica."

.

 

:D:D:D

 

Pico, in that case all the more reason to get it fixed in order to enjoy it while you can!

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 3 years later...
  • 2 years later...

Hi Guys,

I am a  Leica Factory trained Technician. 

This lack of meter movement can be caused by several situations. However, I started to see this years ago. Caused by the material on the meter needle guide becoming tacky.

Better to use a hand held meter than attempting repair.

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...