gyoung Posted January 30, 2013 Share #101 Posted January 30, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) ...and to photograph deaf birds... G. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 30, 2013 Posted January 30, 2013 Hi gyoung, Take a look here I love my Leicaflex!. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
thebarnman Posted February 2, 2013 Share #102 Posted February 2, 2013 What makes a Leicaflex a Leicaflex? I know they're 100% Leica, but so is my R9. So what's the difference? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildlightphoto Posted February 3, 2013 Share #103 Posted February 3, 2013 What makes a Leicaflex a Leicaflex? I know they're 100% Leica, but so is my R9. So what's the difference? Apart from the name, the features that distinguish the Leicaflexes from the Leica-R bodies include the repairable horizontal-travel rubberized cloth mechanical shutter made from discrete components (timing modules excepted), metering connections with the lens via sloped cams, and a spectacular viewfinder. They're also hand-made, exceptionally sturdy and much easier to repair than the R4 through R7 (IDK about R3 or R8/9). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
unikad Posted February 3, 2013 Share #104 Posted February 3, 2013 Dear gentlemen, I own Leicaflex SL and it has one defect. In every frame of the film you can see a lighter vertical stripe be the side-end of the frame. I checked the camera back whether there could be some penetrating light but it appears it fits tightly. The stripe is approx. 1/6 wide of the total frame size. It's only a bit lighter. Would anyone know why this happens and if it could be fixed? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penzes Posted February 3, 2013 Share #105 Posted February 3, 2013 I should be the shutter break mechanism. The SL's are not really service friendly, but if you have an good adress for it, it should be no problem for a skilled technician. The only problem could be, the costs, dismantling of the camera is quite time consuming. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildlightphoto Posted February 4, 2013 Share #106 Posted February 4, 2013 I should be the shutter break mechanism. The SL's are not really service friendly, but if you have an good adress for it, it should be no problem for a skilled technician. The only problem could be, the costs, dismantling of the camera is quite time consuming. Shutter bounce was my initial guess which means the brake either needs adjustment or rebuilding. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AB007 Posted March 15, 2013 Share #107 Posted March 15, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) I got my SL MOT back from DAG few days back. Ready to shoot some Tri-X Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/144341-i-love-my-leicaflex/?do=findComment&comment=2271867'>More sharing options...
dominic Posted March 15, 2013 Share #108 Posted March 15, 2013 Apart from the name, the features that distinguish the Leicaflexes from the Leica-R bodies include the repairable horizontal-travel rubberized cloth mechanical shutter made from discrete components (timing modules excepted), metering connections with the lens via sloped cams, and a spectacular viewfinder. I quite agree: the VF with a microprism is spectacular and one of a kind. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveYork Posted March 18, 2013 Share #109 Posted March 18, 2013 The only problem with the Leicaflex line is that they tend to multiply. I wonder if they're a species of rabbit? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebarnman Posted March 19, 2013 Share #110 Posted March 19, 2013 The only problem with the Leicaflex line is that they tend to multiply. I wonder if they're a species of rabbit? Multiply? I know your joking, though as far as I know, they've stopped making those years ago correct? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveYork Posted March 19, 2013 Share #111 Posted March 19, 2013 Dear gentlemen, I own Leicaflex SL and it has one defect. In every frame of the film you can see a lighter vertical stripe be the side-end of the frame. I checked the camera back whether there could be some penetrating light but it appears it fits tightly. The stripe is approx. 1/6 wide of the total frame size. It's only a bit lighter. Would anyone know why this happens and if it could be fixed? I had this once with an original Leicaflex and the shutter brake needed adjusting. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveYork Posted March 19, 2013 Share #112 Posted March 19, 2013 (edited) Multiply? I know your joking, though as far as I know, they've stopped making those years ago correct? I meant, you buy one on the used market, and then you want another, and another, and then another .... I now have 4 SL's and 2 originals, but still only a pair of hands. Edited March 19, 2013 by SteveYork Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebarnman Posted March 19, 2013 Share #113 Posted March 19, 2013 I meant, you buy one on the used market, and then you want another, and another, and then another .... I now have 4 SL's and 2 originals, but still only a pair of hands. That's how Pinball collections grow! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ganzosrevenge Posted March 20, 2013 Author Share #114 Posted March 20, 2013 The whole "leicaflex collecting" fiasco has bitten me again. I am about *this* close to saying "sod it" and ordering one of the very very first Leicaflex Standards from leicashop.com. Something about it. I'm not sure if it's the fact it's "genesis" for leica, or if it's that i have a strange hunch that these first 5,000 were the best-built of the bunch (i see screws even where the film travels). Does anyone with a 108xxxx Leica have a reason to talk me out of it (other than the old fart metering system). Jason Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted March 20, 2013 Share #115 Posted March 20, 2013 What makes a Leicaflex a Leicaflex? I know they're 100% Leica, but so is my R9. So what's the difference? The robust construction and lack of cost cutting set them apart from all SLR before or since. The have some of the finest viewfinders ever made, all glass, bright as a M3 ( I compared mine), excellent focusing ability, ability to focus accurately anywhere in the viewfinder except for the original flex, lack of vibration from mirror or shutter compared to others, Pure German engineering without compromise. Downside was lack of advanced features like interchangeable focus screens and a somewhat limited range of lenses and no zooms. It was just a beautifully made SLR and did nothing but take pictures. Limited like the S2 today. Can`t sell a pro a super expensive system with a future promise of more lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ganzosrevenge Posted March 21, 2013 Author Share #116 Posted March 21, 2013 The robust construction and lack of cost cutting set them apart from all SLR before or since. The have some of the finest viewfinders ever made, all glass, bright as a M3 ( I compared mine), excellent focusing ability, ability to focus accurately anywhere in the viewfinder except for the original flex, lack of vibration from mirror or shutter compared to others, Pure German engineering without compromise. Downside was lack of advanced features like interchangeable focus screens and a somewhat limited range of lenses and no zooms. It was just a beautifully made SLR and did nothing but take pictures. Limited like the S2 today. Can`t sell a pro a super expensive system with a future promise of more lenses. I agree with everything except the lack of cost cutting. Leica's ship was sinking due to the end of the M3, and the cost the Flex had to sell at. Gradually, costs were cut in areas such as the tripod mount (mk1 to mk2) and one of the scarier one is that many SL2s, due to the shutter changes, cannot do 1/2000 correctly. I would say up to about the 1972 SLs, you have tanks (albeit the early flexes are the most tank-like). However, cost-be-damned grand prize goes to the Zeiss Contarex or any Alpa up to about 1976. Kern-Macro-Switar 50s are TERRIFYINGLY sharp. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveYork Posted March 24, 2013 Share #117 Posted March 24, 2013 (edited) I'll add my two cents of subjective nonsense. What I like about the Leicaflex is -- not so much the brightness of the viewfinder; indeed other cameras are brighter -- but the smoothness, clarity and lack of grain. The subject just pops into focus in a way that the micro prisms on others cameras just can't match. And the controls are very intuitive. For an SLR, they're pretty vibration-free too. I came from rangefinders and find the Leicaflex SL far easier and quicker to use (in normal light). And the original Leicaflex is just a marvel of 'old world' construction. I can appreciate now what some of the M3/M2 folks experience; just buttery smooth controls. With the original taking the picture is almost as fun an experience as the final product. And over the last several years I find myself using rangefinders less and less. Maybe it's time to part with the last bit of rangefinder stuff. And the final reason I love this system is that in Leica terms they are inexpensive. I frankly don't understand why they're no more popular, but I should be happy about that. Edited March 24, 2013 by SteveYork Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
S/W Posted May 24, 2013 Share #118 Posted May 24, 2013 Simply the best : Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 2 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/144341-i-love-my-leicaflex/?do=findComment&comment=2329718'>More sharing options...
SteveYork Posted August 22, 2013 Share #119 Posted August 22, 2013 The robust construction and lack of cost cutting set them apart from all SLR before or since. The Contarex crowd will take exception. I love Leicaflex's, I have a whole week full (2 original and 5 SL), but the old Zeiss cameras of the 50's and 60's, in my opinion, having owned a few from each company, were probably better made. Their designs just didn't catch on; probably less practical. With little hesitation, I can say Contarex SLR is better made then anything Leica produced, and so too the Contax IIA and IIIA rangefinder. It's just that Leica's designs were better. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikau Posted August 22, 2013 Share #120 Posted August 22, 2013 Didn't the Contarexes suffer from light leaks around their interchangeable backs? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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