Shutterspeedblog Posted December 20, 2020 Share #1 Posted December 20, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) 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! My first Leica R series camera. I picked this up the other day and am very excited to use it! I sent it to DAG camera repair and it should be in my hands next week! Don is doing a complete overhaul on the camera, plus modifying the metering system to accept a modern battery. What can you tell me about this camera? 9 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! My first Leica R series camera. I picked this up the other day and am very excited to use it! I sent it to DAG camera repair and it should be in my hands next week! Don is doing a complete overhaul on the camera, plus modifying the metering system to accept a modern battery. What can you tell me about this camera? ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/316243-black-leicaflex-standard-type-2/?do=findComment&comment=4102224'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 20, 2020 Posted December 20, 2020 Hi Shutterspeedblog, Take a look here Black Leicaflex Standard Type 2. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
gbealnz Posted December 20, 2020 Share #2 Posted December 20, 2020 Lucky, I'd love one myself. So if you ever tire of it.......... Nice combo too, the 50/2 is especially nice. Enjoy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shutterspeedblog Posted December 20, 2020 Author Share #3 Posted December 20, 2020 I have too many cameras and instead of getting rid of most of them, I keep picking them up. At least I use them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregNski Posted December 20, 2020 Share #4 Posted December 20, 2020 No such thing as "too many cameras", at least where Leicas are concerned! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cary Posted December 24, 2020 Share #5 Posted December 24, 2020 Love the black Leicaflex! I have one in chrome that I will be sending to DAG after the holidays. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew01 Posted December 24, 2020 Share #6 Posted December 24, 2020 The black ones are quite rare apparently. Perhaps you picked up a bargain? https://www.meister-camera.com/en/second-hand/7236/leicaflex-ii-black-paint The silver ones can be had for about 100 Euros. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted December 26, 2020 Share #7 Posted December 26, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) On 12/24/2020 at 10:28 PM, andrew01 said: The black ones are quite rare apparently. Perhaps you picked up a bargain? https://www.meister-camera.com/en/second-hand/7236/leicaflex-ii-black-paint The silver ones can be had for about 100 Euros. Different signs of use in the Meister's item... 😉 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pecole Posted December 27, 2020 Share #8 Posted December 27, 2020 On 12/20/2020 at 4:23 AM, Shutterspeedblog said: 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! My first Leica R series camera. I picked this up the other day and am very excited to use it! I sent it to DAG camera repair and it should be in my hands next week! Don is doing a complete overhaul on the camera, plus modifying the metering system to accept a modern battery. What can you tell me about this camera? I also had a black paint Leicaflex that I used quite a lot - less than the SL2 -, a silver and a black chrome as well. I definitely preferred my Leicaflexes to the following R3, 4... 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted December 27, 2020 Share #9 Posted December 27, 2020 For illustration the two model and respective, but different lenses 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! 3 Quote 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/316243-black-leicaflex-standard-type-2/?do=findComment&comment=4106773'>More sharing options...
alan mcfall Posted December 28, 2020 Share #10 Posted December 28, 2020 I also favor the black paint Leicaflex standard camera. I guess it wasn't called the standard until after the introduction of the SL and SL2 upgrades. The earliest black cameras of the "PIE" counter type begin at 1084001, this could be some time after the chrome Leicaflex introduction at 1080001. I have recorded 35+ black paint "PIE"'s all are contained within 1084xxx. There are other differences besides the counter, such as the tripod mount and other parts. I cannot find catalogs or price lists that show the availability of the black Leicaflex until 1966/7. So, did Leitz start production with all chrome and then after a year or two make the black paint available? Or were the made in parallel? I am of the mind of the latter, perhaps someone again has detailed access to factoroy records. The later "round" counter black paint leicaflexes are all within the later lot 1168xxx. Again, I have recorded over 30 in this lot all black and no chrome. I presume these cameras are from typically 1967/8. Some authors report a total of 255 black leicaflexes produced. I find this number likely low, but have no proof without Wetzlar data. As to the chrome reflex lenses, they are not common, but when were they made? The Summicron begins at 1940001 (1963/4) with a mixture of chrome and black lenses. Subsequent lots at 1999xxx, 2000xxx and even some in 2003 are again a mixture of chrome and black. As these are all early lots, I conclude that the chrome finish reflex lenses were made concurrent and early, with the introduction of the leicaflex camera. The chrome vs black early lenses are very random suggesting that lenses were pulled from brass parts and finished as needed or requested. Can someone advise if the raw metal parts are identical, or if there were slight differences to compensate for the differennt finish thickness? The 35 Elmarit reflex chrome lens follows a different pattern. Very early lots 1972001-100 and1995001-512 appear to be all chrome with no black occuring. Perhaps for the Elmarit, these specific lots were set aside for chrome production. Again, the very early numbers suggest the chrome Elmarit also was produced at the earliest time of the leicaflex camera. In general, the chrome lens would not have been shipped simultaneously with a black camera, as they are likely from a couple years apart ( my theory). They still look great together. I have never recorded a chrome Elmarit 90 or 135 lenses, maybe Leitz worried about too much chrome causing reflections. The total number of chrome reflex lenses produced is unknown to me, again if someone could examine factory records we might learn more. If there are other detailed studies or exceptions please let me know. See photo below of my black Leicaflexes. 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! 4 Quote 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/316243-black-leicaflex-standard-type-2/?do=findComment&comment=4107018'>More sharing options...
jpattison Posted December 28, 2020 Share #11 Posted December 28, 2020 4 hours ago, alan mcfall said: maybe Leitz worried about too much chrome causing reflections. I heard many years ago that this was the reason all chrome Leicaflex lens production was stopped. The external meter reading was affected by refection in sunlight. John 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shutterspeedblog Posted December 28, 2020 Author Share #12 Posted December 28, 2020 Thank you everyone for the added info on this camera. Just got it back from DAG and look forward to putting a roll of TRI-X through it. I am that age that I have too many "Favorite" cameras and I am going to have to decide. Currently I have maybe 50 cameras and my favorites are: Nikon F (I have a 1959F, 1960F and a 1964 FTN) Olympus OM-1 Canon FTB (believe it or not!) I have had almost all the Canon film SLRs and this one is awesome. Zeiss Contarex Leica IIIa and this black Leicaflex. If I don't start selling them soon, my kids will sell them in an estate sale. Hahaha! Jim 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ambro51 Posted December 30, 2020 Share #13 Posted December 30, 2020 You’re making us Barnakians jealous! 😀 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
miguel olea Posted April 3 Share #14 Posted April 3 I have a Leicaflex Standard Black Mark 1 that belonged to my father in very good condition. I still take photos with this camera and have kept it for many years. The battery cover seems to be different than black, it seems like titanium color rather than black (but not silver). Perhaps it was replaced when it went to service. By any chance, would any of in the forum you have a black battery cover for this camera to sell? It does not look that the original part. I have looked with DAG, Sherry Krauter, EBay unsuccesfully 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! Quote 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/316243-black-leicaflex-standard-type-2/?do=findComment&comment=5154839'>More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted April 4 Share #15 Posted April 4 Hi, in case you do not find one, you cant paint it with air brush, before try to contact DAG on internet. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
miguel olea Posted April 7 Share #16 Posted April 7 Thanks jc, I am considering this option but I would rather leave it like it is… I appreciate your interest Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrid Posted April 10 Share #17 Posted April 10 (edited) I have a black SL that DAG overhauled for me a few years ago, including a resilvered prism block. Very, very underrated camera. The SL viewfinder is excellent, although I prefer square corners. I think the SL2 corners are square The build quality is impressive. Monikers like 'built like a tank' are tossed around a lot, but the SL delivers in spades. Apparently Leica lost money on every SL body they built. If I remember correctly the shutter was rated to some insane number like 250k or 400k actuations. Despite the larger size, it feels like a Leica M to me with a mirror box grafted on the front. (I feel the same way about the original Nikon F and Nikon RF cameras). That may in part be due to the shutter, which looks and sounds a lot like what you find in an M. The only weak spot of the camera is the cover plate on the front of the prism. It's held on with a ridiculous plastic contraption and because it doesn't seal very tightly it could be a potential ingress point for dust and moisture. I simply put some gaffers tape over it, although that probably wasn't the most elegant solution... I primarily shot a 50 Summicron or Summilux on it. Nice camera. Edited April 10 by thrid 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyrogallol Posted April 10 Share #18 Posted April 10 13 hours ago, thrid said: I have a black SL that DAG overhauled for me a few years ago, including a resilvered prism block. Very, very underrated camera. The SL viewfinder is excellent, although I prefer square corners. I think the SL2 corners are square The build quality is impressive. Monikers like 'built like a tank' are tossed around a lot, but the SL delivers in spades. Apparently Leica lost money on every SL body they built. If I remember correctly the shutter was rated to some insane number like 250k or 400k actuations. Despite the larger size, it feels like a Leica M to me with a mirror box grafted on the front. (I feel the same way about the original Nikon F and Nikon RF cameras). That may in part be due to the shutter, which looks and sounds a lot like what you find in an M. The only weak spot of the camera is the cover plate on the front of the prism. It's held on with a ridiculous plastic contraption and because it doesn't seal very tightly it could be a potential ingress point for dust and moisture. I simply put some gaffers tape over it, although that probably wasn't the most elegant solution... I primarily shot a 50 Summicron or Summilux on it. Nice camera. I now have three chrome SL bodies. A black one would be nice. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrid Posted April 10 Share #19 Posted April 10 On 12/28/2020 at 1:54 PM, Shutterspeedblog said: Thank you everyone for the added info on this camera. Just got it back from DAG and look forward to putting a roll of TRI-X through it. I am that age that I have too many "Favorite" cameras and I am going to have to decide. Currently I have maybe 50 cameras and my favorites are: Nikon F (I have a 1959F, 1960F and a 1964 FTN) The original Nikon F may be my all-time favorite SLR and ties the M4 as one of my all-time favorite cameras. The M2 / Nikon F3-P run a close second... 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 Quote 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/316243-black-leicaflex-standard-type-2/?do=findComment&comment=5180366'>More sharing options...
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