How have SLR Leicas held up?

I would not hesitate to buy a good condition RF Leica from the 1960s or 70s (although expecting to pay for a CLA). How have the Leicaflex, SL and SL2 held up? Are batteries still available for them?

I use my Leicaflexes almost daily. Can't wear 'em out. There are a

few sources for batteries; ask whoever does the CLA work where to

find 'em, or you can use the Wien air-cell battereis, of the C.R.I.S.

adapters so you can use common 76 silver cells.

 

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The best bargain among Leicaflexes is the SL. The SL2 can use some

lenses the SL cannot use which require more clearance between the

mirror and the rear element but its shutter is not as reliable as the

SL and since it's relatively scarce the SL2 is priced more by

collectors than by users.

 

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See: http://www.wildlightphoto.com/leica/SL.HTM

>>>of the C.R.I.S. adapters<<<

 

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oops, that's "or the C.R.I.S. adapters"

Douglas, your nature pictures - Leica or not - are very good indeed.

They seem to speak about (your) love of nature and it's creatures.

hello, where may i get a CRIS adapter ?....and will my meter be

accurate ?....mark

Doug,

I aways assumed all Leicflex shutters were the same. My SL/2 is

nearly 25 years old and it's never had a problem. My SL is a bit

older and needed a new shutter brake. I'd hesitate to say the SL/2

has a less reliable shutter but if it is, it's still damn near

bulletproof.

Bud, the SL2 has a design flaw that may make shutter speeds faster

than 1/1000 sec unreliable. The fix is a complete shutter rebuild

($xxx.xx) which Sherry and Leica USA say will not guarantee a

reliable shutter. The symptoms are a shutter that does not open

completely, or the 2nd curtain catches up with the first too soon or

something... gives you a proper exposure along one edge of the frame

and the rest of the picture is completely black.

 

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My SL2 has deteriorated to where it consistently fails at any speed

faster than ~1/700 sec. It's time for a rebuild.

>>>where may i get a CRIS adapter ?....and will my meter be

accurate ?....<<<

 

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http://www.criscam.com

The best Leica SLR from the 70's is certainly the R5 in my opinion

and second, the R4. Both are lighter and perhaps not built like a

tank like my Leicaflex but that problem is offset that you don't have

to end up with back surgery with carrying the Leicaflex all day

long :)... actually I'm probably going to be using the Leicaflex as

my official studio camera rather than anything else :)

 

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cool beans,

Alfie

I have owned my SL2 for 17 years now (I traded it against a

complete Nikon FM outfit, and did not regret it: it was my start on

Leicas). It always worked well, and I had only one problem with

it, when I dropped it (in its case) and the meter needle went off. It

came back from Leica service repaired, and I still use it

sparingly. I was really happy taking it on a week trip to Italy last

month, with SA 21, Summicron 50 and Elmarit 90.

 

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In Europe you can still find the EPX625 mercury battery for it, and

I have a few left for future use (on SL2 and Leica CL).

If you find a nice SL2, don't hesitate to buy it, and use it. Prices

here in Europe have gone down a bit over the years.

For me no any a SLR-camera giving such a feeling like a Leicaflex

Std, SL, SL2. In terms of properly adjusted a shutter and first

curtain� brake/damper it produces a very specific still sound when

shooting with almost no clicks and vibration and allows shooting in

hand held at low speed. It's a very good balanced camera. Each one

has a very bright screen with no ground structure, but the SL2 has

one. The last has also the more sensible meter than the Std and SL

and a flat back cover, while the Std and SL are looking hunchbacked.

However its dimensions and weight are a little more than SM-

Leica�s :?) All 1-3 cam lenses are of exceptional performance.

There's no question in my mind that my SL is better designed than any

of the R bodies including the R8. But the shutter is not as

consistent as my R6 or 6.2, and of course it lacks the features of

the electronic cameras. Save for the R8, the SL is also quite a

chunk to carry around.

The SL is a wonderful simple camera to use and quite the equal of the

M bodies. It is my backup. I use the R6.2 more because it has a

hotshoe, diopter adjust, and has a better meter (full frame and spot

and it's more sensitive and has diodes) and the camera is lighter and

can use all my R-lenses on it. Both have manual shutters. The

Leicaflex is special and beautifully made, but the R6.2 is just more

useful for everyday shooting. Oh yes the R6.2 can also accept a

winder/motor which I use once in a while too, unless you get an SL MOT

or similar. But as a tactile experience the SL is nicer.

I got into R cameras about 5 years ago. Have used M since the early

70s. A guy at a camera swap traded me an R4 with a 50 Summicron for

an old Nikon F and a couple of lenses. The meter wasn't working and

the local guy who claimed Leica experience threw up his hands so I

sent it to Leica N.J. for a $300 CLA. It came back beautiful and has

worked perfectly ever since. I have added an R4S and an R7 and 5

more lenses. It seems like when I leave the house without a specific

chore to photo I usually grab an R with a small bag of lenses instead

of Canon EOS or M6. I specially favor the 35 Summicron, 90 Elmarit

(E55) and the 180 Elmar which is light and easy to carry and sharp at

F4.0. I just gave my neighbors some Superia prints of their daughter

that blew them away. These cameras are strong and reliable and

always give me good results.

I bought my SL 8 years ago and from the very first roll I put through

I never looked back. Having used probably every type of camera up to

that point I can honestly say that I'll be true to my SL forever,

it's never let me down. I work as photo-printer and the accuracy of

the light meter is beyond reproach.

I never did like the SL series, but I fell in love with the R5 and

now own R7 bodies. I am glad I sold the the meterless M4-P with the

Noct and 75 lens(this was a great lens for portraits but I always

long to own a M4 but too expensive to keep it idle.

 

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Mansur

Windy City-Chicago