nobbylon Posted March 13, 2012 Share #1 Â Posted March 13, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've enjoyed manual focus cameras for years but gradually it has become more difficult to the point where I couldn't focus consistantly. I tried just about every combination with my Nikon F and F2, different screens, faster lenses etc. Leitax adapters for R lenses on my F5 and D700 with eyepiece magnifiers. Nothing seemed to be a great success and then I read about the Leicaflex's. I bought an SL2 first and then happened upon a mint SL, swapped my 35, 50, 60 and 90 back to R mount and am still amazed at how much better the viewfinders are than ANYTHING else. Because of my central vision problems I can even focus them better than my M's. I still use the F5 for film and D700 for digital and A/F with Nikkors but for MF nothing beats the Leicaflex oldies! If anyone else is in a similar situation I can highly recommend them, regards john Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted March 13, 2012 Share #2 Â Posted March 13, 2012 Yes, I had my SL repaired (new meter cell) and have gone back to it as my main SLR. Really nice balance with a 90 or 135. I added a 50 Summilux, and found it harder to focus than a 1.4 on a Pentax LX, but the LX has a screen designed for high speed lenses, and I don't think the 1.4 was in view when I bought my SL in 1968. It is fine with a 50 Summicron, and still feels solid as a (quiet) tank. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joop van Heijgen Posted March 13, 2012 Share #3 Â Posted March 13, 2012 I have had the most Leica SLR models and I must say that in retrospection I do find the Leicaflex SL the best one. This camera is on the same high quality level of the M3, M2 and M 4, M5 cameras. Â I do still use the Leicaflex SL for more thans 30 years. It have absolutely the best viewfinder of all the Leica R cameras. Â Greetings, Joop Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Geschlecht Posted March 14, 2012 Share #4 Â Posted March 14, 2012 Hello nobbylon, Â Welcome to the Forum. Â Hello Tom, Â The 50mm Summilux was introduced in 1969. It was most likely in the minds of the creators of the SL which was introduced in 1968. Â The fixed larger microprism central circle surrounded w/ a finer microprism for the remaining portion of the screen was a compromise design which was fitted to allow the best focussing of the greatest variety of lenses. Â Leitz offered the option of a ground glass screen for fast lenses, long lenses, macro etc. This was either installed to order before delivery or as a proprietary replacement after. There was no user interchangable screen option. Â Best Regards, Â Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted March 14, 2012 Share #5 Â Posted March 14, 2012 Leitz offered the option of a ground glass screen for fast lenses, long lenses, macro etc. This was either installed to order before delivery or as a proprietary replacement after. There was no user interchangable screen option. Thanks Michael! The standard SL screen is still wonderful for all but the 1.4, so I use it for the Summicrons and Elmarits. I did get the matte screen for my R4, and it works much better with the Summilux - so I use that lens with it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveYork Posted March 16, 2012 Share #6 Â Posted March 16, 2012 The Leicaflex SL simply rocks. I have two. I put a new prism in one of them; expensive, but it rocks even more. Much faster focusing then an M. Â There's a lot of good systems out there, from lots of manufacturers, but the SL is great. It's microprisms beat any other that I have used. Â The real "jewel like quality" of the three Leicaflex is the original. And if you come from rangefinders, they're not that difficult to focus (only central dot of microprisms). But an SL with a good prism is more practical. Â Now the downside -- they're heavy. And that's the only reason I keep an M around. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobbylon Posted March 16, 2012 Author Share #7 Â Posted March 16, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Steve, a lot of people always bang on about how heavy gear is but I'm not one of them. I still use my M2 and MP but mainly have a D700 and a shared D3 with Nikon pro zooms with me and although some may say heavy, I just see them as the cameras I like to use for the purpose I have. Using a single SL with a 60 seems lightweight after the afor mentioned and like yourself I just simply enjoy that viewfinder as being the best I've looked through. I know it's probably not the forum to say it but for 35mm the F5 is the best camera I've used and if it had the SL's finder and the ability to use R glass fully functional it would be the perfect small format camera. Unfortunately life's not that simple and that's the reason we end up with multiple cameras:) regards john Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted March 17, 2012 Share #8 Â Posted March 17, 2012 The same quality in a Nikon screen a vf today would be several thousand dollars and not optimized for auto focus which is the target market. Â I have heard Leica lost money on every one sold too because they were built like tanks. Yes they were a joy to use. If you don`t need AF, nothing better, and never will be again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobbylon Posted March 17, 2012 Author Share #9  Posted March 17, 2012 From what I've read, the SL2 was the camera that Leica sold below the production cost price in the hope that they would recoup the loss on lens sales. The price new was double that of a metered F2 back in '75! As an add on note, an F5 at the end of production was priced at £2500 in the UK and more expensive than the F6 at the same time. I hate to think what an SL2 would cost in todays prices! I actually prefer the SL2 screen to the SL but prefer the more comfortable shape of the rear of the SL. The more sensitive meter in the SL2 is also more user friendly. If I end up using them a lot then I will probably get Peter at CRR to put me an SL2 screen in the SL and a meter cell like the SL2. For me the lollipop meter marker in the SL is nicer than the paddle in the SL2. Typical that I would like a mix of the 2 to make it suit me! The 60 is a delight to focus on both though and just pops when in focus like a 3d image. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.