someonenameddavid Posted November 2, 2012 Share #1 Posted November 2, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Oh I went "Yard Sailing" and discovered an immaculate black SL with Summicron R and case. I think I can get it for US$200.... Should I???? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 2, 2012 Posted November 2, 2012 Hi someonenameddavid, Take a look here Advice on an SL. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
TomB_tx Posted November 2, 2012 Share #2 Posted November 2, 2012 I love the SL - bought mine in 1969 - as it has a feel no other camera has, and the limited-area meter is my favorite type. The match-needle meter is much simpler than the long-row-of-LEDs in the R4. (But the R6 LED meter readout is very nice.) Be aware that most SLs now have degraded meter cells, and can't be calibrated back to original specs. Most can be adjusted fine for daylight use, but will underexpose in dim light. I don't think Leica had replacement cells, but DAG replaced mine last year, and it's nice to have the meter back again. That price - good condition with lens - sounds like a good deal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hiles Posted November 2, 2012 Share #3 Posted November 2, 2012 These are amongst the most impressive SLR cameras anyone ever made. If your unit is mechanically fine, then the question becomes how vital is a built in meter. Personally I wouldn't care - my two Ms don't have one and I don't want one. You may - which then probably means some fix as suggested above. That is like going to be some trouble as a minimum. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ganzosrevenge Posted November 3, 2012 Share #4 Posted November 3, 2012 Oh I went "Yard Sailing" and discovered an immaculate black SL with Summicron R and case. I think I can get it for US$200.... Should I???? Absolutely. Chrome ones outnumber black ones by about 15:1 to 20:1. Additionally, if it comes with a working lens snag it. The lenses alone are worth $500-plus. What I would look out for is to make sure the shutter is accurate and that all functions are at least somewhat smooth. Also, if the meter works, that's a bonus. I would snag it for $200, then send it to someone like DAG for a CLA to get fresh lubrications, calibrations, etc., done to it. A Leicaflex (Std. / SL) is a sorely underrated Wetzlar-era camera and when refurbished to work correctly brings a massive case of the fizzies with it. You may want to check for things such as desilvering (not catastrophic but can affect ease of focus), fungus (can be catastrophic if not caught early), as well as to make sure that all vital parts are there. (I bought a Leicaflex SL that actually came without a takeup reel, and was told "oh we grade on cosmetics... the guts are hit or miss" by a major used camera reseller from Smyrna, GA.) If all passes, fix it, and have fun! Jason Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AB007 Posted November 3, 2012 Share #5 Posted November 3, 2012 +1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted November 4, 2012 Share #6 Posted November 4, 2012 Oh I went "Yard Sailing" and discovered an immaculate black SL with Summicron R and case. I think I can get it for US$200.... Should I???? I think you already got it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
someonenameddavid Posted November 4, 2012 Author Share #7 Posted November 4, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I think you already got it No, alas I had to go back to work and I missed it. In one of the boxes I did buy, I acquired an R4 motor drive, so now I'm looking for an R4. I bought a NOOKY and am now looking for a IIIF RDST David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted November 4, 2012 Share #8 Posted November 4, 2012 That's like finding a Rolls Royce hubcap on the road and deciding to buy a car to fit it! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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