Leicaflex SL (black)

[RezaLoghme]

the 135mm can be picked up for peanuts.
60mm Macro too.

I wrote this in another thread - I picked up a 90/4 Elmar-C (for M) for the price of a very modest steak dinner. From 1973 but looks like new.

Leica has some bargains which have escaped the hype...

A silver SL with the Super Angulon makes some sort of "Hasselblad SWC hommage" for small $$$.

 

[RezaLoghme]

Ok pulled the trigger on a SL

 

[MattKing]

the price of a very modest steak dinner.

Which nowadays is similar to the price of a mid-level Leica!!!!!

 

[Paul Howell]

I tend not shoot more normal to tele, but maybe a 35mm.

 

[GregY]

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.

A 21 on an M camera makes far more sense.

 

[RezaLoghme]

A 21 on an M camera makes far more sense.

How so?

 

[RezaLoghme]

I tend not shoot more normal to tele, but maybe a 35mm.

Since you want to add a new body, I suggested something complementary to your existing kit. Not much value in adding another 50mm, if you own one already.

 

[GregY]

How so?

Far easier to focus under all conditions....

 

[RezaLoghme]

Far easier to focus under all conditiions....

Ah, ok.
I thought that a 21mm lens is less sensitive about focus (given the huge DoF) and more about composition and angles, which on a RF is then quite something (unless you add an uncoupled viewfinder for the hotshoe).

But I could be totally wrong.

 

[GregY]

Ah, ok.
I thought that a 21mm lens is less sensitive about focus (given the huge DoF) and more about composition and angles, which on a RF is then quite something (unless you add an uncoupled viewfinder for the hotshoe).

But I could be totally wrong.

I've always used the accesssory finders...that's what Leitz made them for....

 

[RezaLoghme]

I've always used the accesssory finders...that's what Leitz made them for....

Compared to a super wide angle mounted to a SLR, which does show the more accurate composition?

 

[GregY]

Compared to a super wide angle mounted to a SLR, which does show the more accurate composition?

In theory the SLR, in practice the rangefinder works impeccably....
& focus still depends on what aperture you're using. I'll take rangefinder focusing every time for 21mm

 

[RezaLoghme]

I thought a 21mm has such a DoF that focussing is not really the most pressing issue, but composition is.

But if these are your personal preferences, why not. Maybe you could change your wording and say "I prefer it 21mm on a Rangefinder", although I would guess you are a bit of a minority. "makes more sense" is a strong statement.

Maybe FYI: I have a 21mm Super Angulon R and use it on M and R bodies,so I actually can compare this 1:1.

 

[RezaLoghme]

I've always used the accesssory finders...that's what Leitz made them for....

You also said "Far easier to focus under all conditions".

How does that help with focussing then, are they coupled with the lens?

 

[GregY]

You also said "Far easier to focus under all conditions".

How does that help with focussing then, are they coupled with the lens?

It is separate...... The rangefinder makes it easier to nail focus all the time. The accessory viewfinder is for composing.

 

[RezaLoghme]

OK.

Lets go back to the Leicaflex discussion now.

 

[GregY]

OK.

Lets go back to the Leicaflex discussion now.

Go right ahead....

 

[RezaLoghme]

Mine is going to arrive on Thursday. I have already ordered all the battery accoutrements. Let's hope for the best.
The condition is "very good"; and for 350 EUR it better be good indeed.

 

[RezaLoghme]

Camera is here!

Underwhelmed when handling it. Will have to give it a proper cleaning. EM works! And its values look halfway credible. Shutter release and mirror slap sounds great. DoF preview lever works and feels more robust than the one on my R bodies. Viewfinder bright but a bit dirty. Minimal desilvering in the area where the shutter times are being displayed. Leatherette smells a it, will use some soap or window cleaner to remove that perfume.

Dont know why people on forums often write "build like a tank/brick". To me, it feels just like a typical late 60s/early70s "full-size" 35mm SLR. To me, the R3 feels more square and old-fashioned.

Still, it looks a bit bland - maybe because we are conditioned to see a red dot on a Leica (despite the dot-less M2,3,5). Maybe I am going to buy a red Leica rope strap, it can work wonders on their sober bodies.

And I somehow feel my beloved quirky Super Angulon 4.0/21mm (picked up for the price of a 5 Guys dinner for 5 guys) is going to be stuck on it forever. Its chunky body gives a nice visual counterbalance to the silver body. The pig-nosed early 1- or 2-cam Summicrons look a bit...pignosed on it.

So, a nice addition to the collection. Well, this is how the other half lives! Buying a Leica, just so, mid-week. Leica, Champagne...living the high life.

By the way, no website, forum thread or Leica user manual is really showing in which direction the battery has to be put in. So I am going to keep it a secret, too.

UPDATE: The proven high tech method of Breathing Into The Camera Body And Messing About With A 5 EUR Air Ballon Brush From Amazon did wonders to the dirt on the mirror. All fine for now.

2nd UPDATE: The first thing I always do when acquiring a new (to me) old camera body or lens is to freshen up the lettering, from cataract to toothpaste white. The shutter times wheel now looks like new. Small difference but still..maybe I will change the colour of the ASA wheel lettering from Dont You Eat That Yellow Snow to Snowwhite, too.

3nd UPDATE: I just did that. Makes the camera look much fresher. And maybe I should to the same to the "feet" markers on the lens.

The camera is now sitting on my desk, as I am writing this. As per the serial number, it was made in 1969-70. I remember when a "55 year old camera" used to be some Agfa Clique or Claque or some box with a weird mirror finder. This camera here, if the silver part of the body would be spotless, could easily defend its place next to a contemporary M-A or M-P in chrome.

 

[RezaLoghme]

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.

@Paul Howell

Leica Classics in Vienna just had a SL with a period 50mm Summicron coming in. Maybe worth a look?

 

[Paul Howell]

Thanks, but I will from a US seller, dont what to get caught in the tariffs.

 

[RezaLoghme]

Have you checked how much it would cost? Being a pre-owned item?

 

[Paul Howell]

It's based on price, anything over $80 is subject to tariffs, there is a black body at a online retail shop, KEH, $216 + tax, but it is in bargain condition, I'm waiting a camera is better condition.

 

[RezaLoghme]

on a EUR price of 500, what is the final price "on your doorstep"?

 

[RezaLoghme]

Camera is here!

Underwhelmed when handling it. Will have to give it a proper cleaning. EM works! And its values look halfway credible. Shutter release and mirror slap sounds great. DoF preview lever works and feels more robust than the one on my R bodies. Viewfinder bright but a bit dirty. Minimal desilvering in the area where the shutter times are being displayed. Leatherette smells a it, will use some soap or window cleaner to remove that perfume.

Dont know why people on forums often write "build like a tank/brick". To me, it feels just like a typical late 60s/early70s "full-size" 35mm SLR. To me, the R3 feels more square and old-fashioned.

Still, it looks a bit bland - maybe because we are conditioned to see a red dot on a Leica (despite the dot-less M2,3,5). Maybe I am going to buy a red Leica rope strap, it can work wonders on their sober bodies.

And I somehow feel my beloved quirky Super Angulon 4.0/21mm (picked up for the price of a 5 Guys dinner for 5 guys) is going to be stuck on it forever. Its chunky body gives a nice visual counterbalance to the silver body. The pig-nosed early 1- or 2-cam Summicrons look a bit...pignosed on it.

So, a nice addition to the collection. Well, this is how the other half lives! Buying a Leica, just so, mid-week. Leica, Champagne...living the high life.

By the way, no website, forum thread or Leica user manual is really showing in which direction the battery has to be put in. So I am going to keep it a secret, too.

UPDATE: The proven high tech method of Breathing Into The Camera Body And Messing About With A 5 EUR Air Ballon Brush From Amazon did wonders to the dirt on the mirror. All fine for now.

2nd UPDATE: The first thing I always do when acquiring a new (to me) old camera body or lens is to freshen up the lettering, from cataract to toothpaste white. The shutter times wheel now looks like new. Small difference but still..maybe I will change the colour of the ASA wheel lettering from Dont You Eat That Yellow Snow to Snowwhite, too.

3nd UPDATE: I just did that. Makes the camera look much fresher. And maybe I should to the same to the "feet" markers on the lens.

The camera is now sitting on my desk, as I am writing this. As per the serial number, it was made in 1969-70. I remember when a "55 year old camera" used to be some Agfa Clique or Claque or some box with a weird mirror finder. This camera here, if the silver part of the body would be spotless, could easily defend its place next to a contemporary M-A or M-P in chrome.

4th UPDATE: I was able to find a red COOPH x Leica strap. Now the camera looks "complete".