Leicaflex SL / SL2

[belgiumreporter]

Just bought this chrome leicaflex SL to join my black SL2. Nobody seems to like leicaflexes so they are very cheap these days (the bodies, not the lenses).

The leicaflexes got a lot going for them though, they are beautifully crafted slr's the view finders are spectaculary bright,so bright the SL's can't be used for dept of field control (a feature corrected with a diffrent focussing screen in the SL2).

When the leicaflexes were introduced in 1964 it was a case of to little to late for leitz to go along with the competition. The leicaflexes were very expensive, lacked the features of the (pro) competition and to make things worse leitz lost money on every leicaflex sold!

So how are they holding up after 50years? I don't think it is a good idea to use a leicaflex as a dayly (film) shooter, the lack of choise in glass, the limited range of the light meter and the (solvable) battery problem don't add up for the use of one. Allmost every one agrees for that kind of photography somthing like a nikon F3 would be a better choise.

As a collectors camera the finish and sheer beauty of the leicaflex is hard to beat, pictures don't do it justice. To me the leicaflexes still are "real" leica's and not rebuild minoltas (but then that's just my opinion).
 
In february it's (classic and second hand) camera fair in my neighbourhood, maybe i'll find an early (non ttl) leicaflex at the right price...

[Rachel]

My first Leica was a Leicaflex SL. I used to be an avid collector of photographic books and used to scour secondhand book shops for them. Among my acquisitions was this book



I'd never had much of an interest in Leica SLRs but this one caught my imagination and I found this example at a reasonable price



Lenses were a problem as the Leica lenses were beyond my pocket but searching around the secondhand dealers I found an Elmarit-R 35mm lens that I could just afford. In time I built up quite a collection of Leica R lenses. Even found  a T-4 mount adaptor for the SL. I thought that it was a lovely camera to use if a bit quirky but then I always had a liking for odd ball cameras

[Dave]

I bought an SL at what I think is a good price with the 50mm f2 lens about 6 months ago. Batteries were not a problem and I like the camera. But the lenses are terribly expensive. In any case, my favorite all mechanical SLR remains the Nikon F2 followed by the F4. I have every F from the original to the F6, all purchased used. None (and I have 3 Fs, 3 F2s, and 2 F4s, plus singles of the others) has ever needed service. The lenses are plentiful and relatively, if not actually inexpensive. But I will agree, the Leicaflex is beautiful. Dave

[fredinperran]

You've got my taste buds twitching. Ebay and wiki here I come!!!!