Leicaflex SL (black)

Don_ih · Nov 10, 2025

@Paul Howell -- don't spend much money on a Leicaflex - oldest or SL variety. It's one of those things that may be working fine when you get it and stop working relatively quickly. Getting them fixed seems to be a challenge.

Paul Howell · Nov 10, 2025

Hassasin said:
Which one are you actually considering ?

SL 2 with TTL metering. I could get by the SL with external meter, just prefer the internal meter.

RezaLoghme · Nov 10, 2025

Paul Howell said:
SL 2 with TTL metering. I could get by the SL with external meter, just prefer the internal meter.

Are you sure you got that one right?

Paul Howell · Nov 10, 2025

Your right the Leica flex was external, the SL and SL 2 internal.

Ron789 · Nov 10, 2025

Prices people mention here are very high in my experience..... I bought several SL's and lenses over the past couple of years, paying typically some €200 - €270 for an SL in good shape including Summicron 50 lens, sold some for similar prices

Don_ih · Nov 10, 2025

Ron789 said:
paying typically some €200 - €270 for an SL in good shape including Summicron 50

So you bought and sold them for half the price of the lens on its own?

Lachlan Young · Nov 10, 2025

Don_ih said:
It's one of those things that may be working fine when you get it and stop working relatively quickly.

Like many high precision mechanical devices, being left on a collectors' shelf to be gloated about is about the worst possible thing that can happen to them.

RezaLoghme · Nov 11, 2025

Ron789 said:
Prices people mention here are very high in my experience..... I bought several SL's and lenses over the past couple of years, paying typically some €200 - €270 for an SL in good shape including Summicron 50 lens, sold some for similar prices

Can you sell me a Sl body with a Summicron for 270? Happy to buy 2.

Ron789 · Nov 13, 2025

RezaLoghme said:
Can you sell me a Sl body with a Summicron for 270? Happy to buy 2.

Unfortunately, not any more. I sold an SL with Summicron about a year ago, for €250. I still have one but I use that myself.

Ron789 · Nov 13, 2025

Don_ih said:
So you bought and sold them for half the price of the lens on its own?

I suppose prices in other countries may be much higher. Here is the current offering of a Dutch store, with warranty and very good reputation, but prices significantly higher than private sellers. A good SL with Summicron 50 for €400

You searched for leicaflex - Fotohandel Delfshaven / MK Optics

fotohandeldelfshaven.nl

John Wiegerink · Nov 14, 2025

Paul Howell said:
Your right the Leica flex was external, the SL and SL 2 internal.

Paul,
An original Leicaflex, an SL or SL2 are all great cameras if they are in good shape and working properly. I do know you have to watch out for the meters on the SL for not performing properly. The SL had two meter cells and sometimes a used camera only has one of those working, which can fool you into thinking things are fine. I think the SL2 might have the same setup, but not sure on that since I never owned one of those. I sold my SL and kept the first Leicaflex since I love the viewfinder on that camera much better. It is so much brighter and clearer for these old eyes that it makes focusing much easier for me. It's even much brighter than my R4. The one thing I never understood was why Leica never had MLU on the SL? I did learn the "flick-a-pea" method for tripping the mirror before the shutter and it works the same as mirror lock up, but does take a little practice. We had to use that method on the old Pentax Spotmatics also. With the original Leicaflex and a nicely working R4 I'm all set for life. Now if a SL2 feel into my lap I just might keep it, but really don't need it. Just my 2 cents worth.

Don_ih · Nov 14, 2025

John Wiegerink said:
kept the first Leicaflex since I love the viewfinder on that camera

It's the most impressive viewfinder to look through I've ever seen.

John Wiegerink · Nov 14, 2025

Don_ih said:
It's the most impressive viewfinder to look through I've ever seen.

Yup, but I don't think very many folks here have actually looked through the eyepiece of the early Leicaflex. To me, the external meter on the early leicaflex is not a problem since I almost always use my Pentax spot meter for important shots. Not so important shots are handled more than adequately with the Leicas external meter.

RezaLoghme · Nov 16, 2025

Ron789 said:
I suppose prices in other countries may be much higher. Here is the current offering of a Dutch store, with warranty and very good reputation, but prices significantly higher than private sellers. A good SL with Summicron 50 for €400

You searched for leicaflex - Fotohandel Delfshaven / MK Optics

fotohandeldelfshaven.nl

From the ad:

"he 1/1000th and 1/2000th shoot slightly too slow, but these speeds of course are only used in rare occasions and most modern films will compensatie for the slight over exposure anyway. The light meter does give readings, but not really accurate on EV15-EV9, EV6 is found to be good. The battery cover also is missing, thats why we sell this SL as ‘meterless’ Leicaflex. Can be used with separate (phone app) light meter perfectly"

I guess a "good" SL will be slightly more expensive.

M. Axel Wikstrom · Nov 21, 2025

I have an SL2 and it’s a great camera - very bright and clear viewfinder and handles nice. It’s a beast compared to my Leica rangefinders, but like it a lot nonetheless. Other than the number of cams, there are a few lenses that fit the SL2 that won’t fit the earlier cameras due to mirror clearance, so do your research.

RezaLoghme · Nov 22, 2025

I am still undecided. On Ebay there is a silver SL2 and Elmarit combo, but somehow I am worried that I am going to end up with a project, with something I do not really need.

A M2 on the other hand...

Don_ih · Nov 22, 2025

RezaLoghme said:
I am going to end up with ... something I do not really need

That describes almost every camera purchase by almost everyone.

Paul Howell · Nov 22, 2025

RezaLoghme said:
I am still undecided. On Ebay there is a silver SL2 and Elmarit combo, but somehow I am worried that I am going to end up with a project, with something I do not really need.

A M2 on the other hand...

I came close, but decided on a F5 instead, not a trophy camera but I have enough F mount lens all I need to do is add a few to make a competing system to my Minolta 9.

RezaLoghme · Nov 22, 2025

Well I am a hobbyist, so if anything I WANT a trophy camera, and own three already. The SL2 is probably one of Leica's better SLRs. But I have yet to fall in love with it.

And in this case,I would only want a perfect example, not a shabby one.

Paul Howell · Nov 22, 2025

I agree, but with limited funds, maybe for my trophy will be a Nikon Sp with motor drive. In the end I have more of an emotional attachment to the Sp and the Leicaflex or Swiss Alpa. Dates back to college when I freelanced for a small local newspaper, the full time shooter had a Nikon F and a Sp with motor. Boy did I envy the combo.

RezaLoghme · Nov 23, 2025

I was attracted to the SL because of the many reviews raving about the bright viewfinder. But I am a bit worried that besides that, it is just another silver 1970s SLR like many others.

The M cameras have more character...and I am saying that as someone who has owned many different Leicas.

Paul Howell · Nov 23, 2025

Back to SL or SL2, just checked on the prices for a Nikon Sp with motor drive.

RezaLoghme · Nov 23, 2025

Yeah, lets talk about SL or SL2...whats on your mind?

Paul Howell · Nov 23, 2025

Still thinking SL, not sure of lens, might go with a 50 or maybe a 90. I have 2 versions of Minolta's 35 to 70 F4 in MD and A mount, based on Leica design, both are sharp, just slower than a 50mm.

RezaLoghme · Nov 23, 2025

If you own 50s already, its not adding anything
What about a 21mm Super Angulon as the "only lens" for that body?
21mm on a SLR makes a lot of sense.

Leicaflex SL (black)

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