SL2 questions

[Photoskeptic]

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Thinking of getting an SL2. I had an R5 and wasn't really very impressed. I'm hoping someone who has experience with both can tell me why an SL2 would be better? Also, do all the two and three cam lenses fit this body? I would be looking for a fast long telephoto or tele-zoom and would appreciate any recommendations.

Thanks for all replies.

[stunsworth]

John, I expect Doug Herr to be along shortly to answer your questions <grin>

[surgiblade]

Hi-

 

I have the Leicaflex SL which can be obtained less expensively than the SL2 and am very happy with performance of 135, 180 f/2.8, 250 f/4 and 400 f/6.8.

 

Have gone on to an R8 and DMR for digital but the R8 and R9 both are paperweights without batteries, and are frankly less sturdy than the SL.

 

The SL takes 2 and 3 cam lenses, but NOT the ROM for the R8 and R9

 

Mike

[Guest liesevolvo]

Very simple: the SL2 is just 'UNIQUE'. Try one - and You are probably addicted. The SL ist worse, but not far as worse as the price is lower. Very, very good, too! I use both.

 

Beware of SL and/or SL2 needing repair. Nearly unaffordable!

 

Good luck!

 

Leonard Liese, Cologne/Germany

 

Excuse my English.

[spydrxx]

Don Goldberg (DAG) put both my SL and SL2 in fine working order when I purchased them several years ago. I ultimately sold the SL, but the SL2 is my real treasure...like a tank it just keeps on delivering the goods when others get finincky. The R8 is a really full featured camera, but generally I leave mine at home in favor of the SL2 if the weather is inclement or the terrain rugged. The viewfinder is outstanding for these tired old eyes. Typically I'm using a 180 f3.4 or 400 f6.3 with it. My only complaint is that I haven't yet manufactured (or found one to purchase) an add-on grip for it like my other cameras. IMHO it is a true classic camera of outstanding build.

[John Hines]

I picked up a SL a couple year ago and did not use it much. Now I can't put it down. Put roll of XP2 in it an out the door I go. It a great camera.

 

John

[pleeson]

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Those SL/SL2 viewfinders are amazingly bright, much better than R3-R7. Need to watch for desilvered prisms, look like big dust spots but very pricey to fix. Other repairs are no big deal.

[telyt]

You've gotten lots of good advice so far.

 

Look through the SL2's viewfinder then see if you think it's better than the R5 I have no problem focussing the SL or SL2 quickly and accurately even with the 560mm f/6.8 and 1.4x APO-Extender, with the R bodies I have to hunt much more for accurate focus.

 

The R5 is a competent tool, the SL and SL2 are real Leicas. This is a HUGE difference. On the choice between the SL and SL2 (as others have suggested), things to consider include:

 

Lens choice. Any 2- or 3-cam lens will fit the SL2, there are some lenses (2- or 3-cam) that will not fit the SL because of mirror clearance problems. These lenses are mostly wide-angle or zoom. The wide-angle lenses are either model 15mm, the 2nd model 19mm, 24mm, 35mm Summilux-R. Zooms would be the current 35-70 f/4, 35-70 f/2.8, 21-35mm, 28-90mm, and the very old 80-200mm f/4.5 (don't confuse this with the current 80-200mm f/4). The current 50mm Summilux-R also has clearance problems with the SL, it might be because of a light baffle at the top of the mirror box. Un-modified, ROM lenses cannot be used on either the SL or SL2 but with slight modification to both the body and the lens, any lens without clearance problems can be used on the SL (not the SL2). 3rd-cam and ROM lenses can be changed to 3-cam.

 

In standard form, the SL has an all-microprism viewscreen, while the SL2 has a split-image focussing aid as well as the microprisms. A plain matte viewscreen was also available. Any of these viewscreens can be used in either body, it takes a competent repair technician to change the screens. My preference: the SL's microprism screen. If I used wide-angle lenses much I'd prefer the split-image screen. Both of my SL2 bodies have the microprism screen.

 

Viewfinder eyepiece diopter correction is easy with the SL2 because it uses the same lenses and holders the R cameras use. The SL's correction lenses are difficult to find and rather bulky. OTOH I have no problem seeing the SL's viewscreen clearly with no correction, but I need a +0.5 correction with the SL2 and any R body. I'm 55 years old.

 

The SL2's meter is much more sensitive in dim light. The SL2 is supposed to have shutter reliability problems at the highest speeds (which I've not seen in my SL2 bodies). I've also heard that modern lubricants prevent the problem.

 

The only thing I don't like about the SL and SL2 is that I can't use the DMR with these bodies.

[Joop van Heijgen]

'The only thing I don't like about the SL and SL2 is that I can't use the DMR with these bodies'

 

You leave the Leicaflex SL (SL2) because with the DMR (R8) you get better results than with film?

[telyt]

You leave the Leicaflex SL (SL2) because with the DMR (R8) you get better results than with film?

 

Image quality with the DMR at ISO 400 leaves ISO 400 film in the dust. At ISO 100 I'll gladly use the SL or SL2 for the superior viewfinder.

[Photoskeptic]

Doug, what slide fims are you using with SL2? Looks like I'm going with the SL2 and a 180 f2.8 for starters.

[telyt]

E100G for ISO 100, and Provia 400F for ISO 400 (next purchase would be 400X).

[jolsen]

Image quality with the DMR at ISO 400 leaves ISO 400 film in the dust. At ISO 100 I'll gladly use the SL or SL2 for the superior viewfinder.

 

Hello Doug,

Can I assume by your statement above that the quality from film at ISO 100 is as good, or better than the DMR at ISO 100?

[telyt]

Hello Doug,

Can I assume by your statement above that the quality from film at ISO 100 is as good, or better than the DMR at ISO 100?

 

I rarely use the DMR at anything other than ISO 400. E100G (and Provia 100F) leave very little to be desired so at ISO 100 the SL's (or SL2's) viewfinder trumps the DMR's convenience unless I need the DMR's instant feedback to fine-tune exposure or its greater dynamic range.

[paulja]

it was the camera that brought me into leicaworld ,7 cameras and 20 lens ago..paul

[crbirchenhall]

My only complaint is that I haven't yet manufactured (or found one to purchase) an add-on grip for it like my other cameras.

 

I asked Luigi at Leicatime to make a half case with a built in grip for my SL2 which, for me, makes a great camera near perfect for hand held photography.

[Posto 6]

Agree- just got my 3rd one from Luigi last month, and find these especially compatible with the SL2Mot, which has no delayed action, greatly improving the handling. It is also the only case I know of for these cameras that allows them to be mounted on a tripod directly.

 

On a related issue, I have a techical question that I would like to ask- does anyone know if it is poissible to make the SL2Mot's meter operate like that of the basic SL2, SL and late Leicaflexes, which can be turned off via the advance lever?

[wildlightphoto]

... does anyone know if it is poissible to make the SL2Mot's meter operate like that of the basic SL2, SL and late Leicaflexes, which can be turned off via the advance lever?

 

I haven't opened an SL2 of any kind, but if it's anything like the SL there should be no problem adding a meter switch to the film advance lever.