Leicaflex SL2 - Need assistance with purchase

gabeb74 · Sep 24, 2022

Good day all,
I hope the week is treating you well thusfar. I came to ask for some of your opinions, as I am usually good with pricing of cameras/lenses, though this is a brand I’ve never dealt with. I was looking to purchase a Leicaflex SL, though I’ve read up on the SL2 as well and have come across one that caught my attention. It’s caught my attention due to it belonging to one owner, it feels like I have the entire carfax. This gentleman was handed down a Leicaflex SL2 to him by this father, along with the original box for the camera body. As well, he is including a 1/2.8 90mm Elmarit lens (with the original box) and a 50mm lens, which I assume is the f/2 Summicron, I have not seen it yet. It comes with a black pentax bag as well, but that’s besides the point. After base cost, shipping, & tax, the total will come out to $790. From what I’m seeing from eBay’s recently sold, this is about the price they are selling for with only one lens, though someone correct me if I’m wrong.

The only thing I’m a bit worried about is that he was upfront and said the camera hasn’t been used in a couple decades. Since it was his father’s and Though he did mention afterwards he took it to a “Leica specialist” and said that after taking a basic look at it, he says it’s perfectly fine. Though, he was not willing to pay for a full diagnostic as he did not want to dish out the money at the time. I appreciate his honesty in the beginning which has me wanting to believe that this man did take it to someone to ensure it’s basic functions were working. I assume “basic testing” means testing to make sure the shutter curtains are functioning properly, shutter speeds seem accurate, etc. He says the battery needs replaced for sure, which implies that I have to roll the dice on, if I purchase it, whether or not I receive a camera with a functioning light meter. I have requested him to send a video showing through the viewfinder, because I believe this is how to tell if there is desilvering of the prism.

Any advice I’d appreciate. All input will be taken. Will upload better photos when I receive more.
Thanks all,
Gabe

Don_ih · Sep 24, 2022

It's a recoverable amount of money. Just by selling the items separately, you can get the money back - probably more. And that's even if there are problems you don't know about. I'd consider buying it pretty low risk.

Nitroplait · Sep 24, 2022

There is a limit to how much assurance you can get from this kind of seller. I think the price fairly reflects that.
Only you can decide if you can afford the potential risk, and these old cameras always come with a risk of needing an overhaul, and possibly an unrepairable CdS meter.

Paul Howell · Sep 24, 2022

See if you can find a repair tech that works on Leica SL and add the cost of a CLA to the price. As noted by Nitrolait if the meter cell is gone not much be done to fix it, at that point you will need to use Sunny 16 or a hand held meter.

4season · Sep 24, 2022

Almost all of the value is in those two (2-cam?) lenses, and I see that a lens shade is included with the 50/2, and that is a good thing. Optics should be clean and clear, minor haze and a few specks of dust are of no real concern. I'd expect very good performance from those lenses, about on par with better Japanese optics of the era. Whether the lenses are actually worth their typical eBay selling prices is something I'll leave for others to decide! But in terms of de facto market value, you're basically getting the SL2 body as a bonus item.

But manage your expectations: Camera is almost 50 years old, and while it's a true Wetzlar born-and-bred product, Leica SLRs are not iconic in the way the Barnack or M rangefinder cameras are, nor do they have the ultra heavy duty build of a professional N or C product. A "full diagnostic" would basically be a full overhaul, and it's not worth the bother for most sellers. Sherry Krauter may still service the thing, but not all parts are available, and I dunno how much $$ or how long her turnaround times are.

Kodachromeguy · Sep 24, 2022

Nitroplait said:
There is a limit to how much assurance you can get from this kind of seller. I think the price fairly reflects that.
Only you can decide if you can afford the potential risk, and these old cameras always come with a risk of needing an overhaul, and possibly an unrepairable CdS meter.

Assume that you will need an overhaul and cleaning. Not used for two decades? But it is a superb piece of uber engineering.

Update: hood, caps, and boxes are a good sign. And lack of a case is also a good sign because many cameras stored in leather become fungus farms.

BradS · Sep 24, 2022

Looks pretty nice in the fuzzy photos. I'd assume that the light meter is non-operational - that leaves open the possibility of an pleasant surprise. Even with a non-op light meter, if the lenses are clean and clear and mechanically in good order, I'd say go for it. Obviously, this also assumes that you trust the seller to actually deliver what is advertised. Good Luck! Let us know how it turns out.

I will say that it seems like an awful lot of money for a 40+ year old SLR and a couple of unremarkable lenses...I guess you need to ask yourself what your goal is. Do you want to take pictures or do you want to collect cool stuff? If you want to get on with actually photography, then there are probably better and less expensive routes....but if you want a piece of Leica History, or a nice museum piece, then this is as good as any. (I'm gonna go put on my asbestos lined teflon jump suit now and try to hide from the Leica fanboys.)

Oh, and welcome to Photrio!

Sirius Glass · Sep 24, 2022

Buy the camera and just expect to pay for a CLA and you will be a happy camper.

mrosenlof · Sep 24, 2022

my 2-cam 50mm summicron is a real winner.

Huss · Sep 24, 2022

4season said:
Leica SLRs are not iconic in the way the Barnack or M rangefinder cameras are, nor do they have the ultra heavy duty build of a professional N or C product.

You ever used a Leicaflex SL? They are built like tanks, they make Nikon F series feel like a cute little trinket.

gone · Sep 24, 2022

Check the Elmarit closely for haze or fungus. They seem prone to both, ypu should be OK on the 50 Summi. As for the camera, it's a Leicaflex. Put some batteries in it, see if the meter works, you're good to go.

beemermark · Sep 25, 2022

momus said:
Check the Elmarit closely for haze or fungus. They seem prone to both, ypu should be OK on the 50 Summi. As for the camera, it's a Leicaflex. Put some batteries in it, see if the meter works, you're good to go.

Very true. But very easy to clean. I purchased in the last 2 or 3 years both a 35mm Elmarit and 50 Summicron of the latest generation. Both were sold with the description that they had haze. DAG (not known for cheap work) charged me $85 to clean them. The SL2 (which I own) has more than superficial changes from the SL. Certain lenses (like the 24mm) will not fit on the SL. Given the close spread in prices between the SL & SL2 I recommend buying the SL2. Both cameras are built like tanks and any competent repair person should be able to do a CLA.

4season · Sep 25, 2022

Huss said:
You ever used a Leicaflex SL? They are built like tanks, they make Nikon F series feel like a cute little trinket.

You ever tried carrying a tank?

Don_ih · Sep 25, 2022

4season said:
You ever tried carrying a tank?

Yes.

Steve York · Sep 25, 2022

I've used all the Leicaflex models over the years. Litertally put hundred of rolls through them, mostly several SL. Good cameras with magnificent viewfinders and an excellent braking/damping system.

The price seems decent but be aware there's a known possible shutter issue with the higher shutter speeds of the SL2. It can result in blanks. I had it happened to me. Mentioned by others too on forums. Depending on the repair tech, it's either fixable with a CLA or only temporarily fixable with service. Repairs can be pricey (Sherry Krauter).

Kodachromeguy · Sep 25, 2022

Steve York said:
I've used all the Leicaflex models over the years. Litertally put hundred of rolls through them, mostly several SL. Good cameras with magnificent viewfinders and an excellent braking/damping system.

The price seems decent but be aware there's a known possible shutter issue with the higher shutter speeds of the SL2. It can result in blanks. I had it happened to me. Mentioned by others too on forums. Depending on the repair tech, it's either fixable with a CLA or only temporarily fixable with service. Repairs can be pricey (Sherry Krauter).

What is your opinion/observation of the original Leicaflex, the one with the external meter? Repair/overhaul options in USA? Thanks!

Steve York · Sep 26, 2022

Kodachromeguy said:
What is your opinion/observation of the original Leicaflex, the one with the external meter? Repair/overhaul options in USA? Thanks!

The focusing screen of the original is not as user friendly as the SL or SL2. It's Fresnel, whereas the SL is microprisms and the SL2 is split image. It does, however, have a feel of higher quality for some reason. The rewind mechanism is just so smooth. Also weighs more, but overall not as practical for use in the field.

Sherry Krauter out of NY purchased all the various Leicaflex parts when Leica USA stopped repairing these cameras. Repairs can be pricey, because repairs require lots dismantling, but still a lot of spare part availability. She's getting older, so if you have one, get it repaired sooner than later. However, my local repair guy says he would work on a Leicaflex, but never gave him the opportunity.

When asked, Sherry will tell you the SL is the best -- she calls it the M3 of the Leica reflex line. The SL is just marvelous, long as you don't need a strong, low light meter. A big, bold beautiful micro-prism viewfinder, where things just pop into focus in a dramatic way. Taking the pic is almost as much fun as getting the shot. The SL2 also has a good, clean viewfinder. All the Leicaflex have excellent eye relief, and much better damped/braking system then a comparable mechanical shuttered Nikon for example.

I used them for 7-8 years, mostly the SL. My favorite SLR. A couple repairs issues over that period -- shutter, meter failures, the viewfinder falling out because of aging plastics -- but when they worked, they were marvelous.

R lenses have gotten pricey with the cine crowd.

I've since "retired" the cameras, sold off most of my R lenses, and use mostly meterless rangefinders now.

ph · Dec 2, 2022

leitx is reputed to have lost money on every SL since the laborious precision assembly consumed more than the price broought in . The mirror is supposed to have a special braking mechanism, but My SL slaps as much as any SLR. Nevertheless, the late leitz optics expert Erwin Puts spoke highly of the summicron 50mm and leica R lenses can easily compete with all other makes.

p.

gone · Dec 2, 2022

Kodachromeguy said:
What is your opinion/observation of the original Leicaflex, the one with the external meter?

I had two of those. The build quality is even better than any of the other models, but they're all built really, really good. However, Sherry and I talked a while back on the phone, and she said there were no more replacements for the viewfinder prisms, which are prone to desilvering. If that happens you would have to live w/ it or buy another camera, which also could develop that problem.

I had a little chuckle about the comment regarding Leicaflex lenses being as good as the Japanese lenses. I have not seen any lenses made by anyone that are as good as the Leica R lenses. Period. The build quality is as if NASA made them (although a friend said they're BETTER than NASA could make), and their focus smoothness is so nice, it's like they were made yesterday and not many years ago. Beautiful bokeh too.

Plus, the Summicrons and Elmarits give that 3-D look on many of the shots. Finest optics you can buy, which is why they sell adapters and replacement lens mounts to put them on a lot of different makes of cameras.

Sirius Glass · Dec 2, 2022

momus said:
I had two of those. The build quality is even better than any of the other models, but they're all built really, really good. However, Sherry and I talked a while back on the phone, and she said there were no more replacements for the viewfinder prisms, which are prone to desilvering. If that happens you would have to live w/ it or buy another camera, which also could develop that problem.

I had a little chuckle about the comment regarding Leicaflex lenses being as good as the Japanese lenses. I have not seen any lenses made by anyone that are as good as the Leica R lenses. Period. The build quality is as if NASA made them (although a friend said they're BETTER than NASA could make), and their focus smoothness is so nice, it's like they were made yesterday and not many years ago. Beautiful bokeh too.

Plus, the Summicrons and Elmarits give that 3-D look on many of the shots. Finest optics you can buy, which is why they sell adapters and replacement lens mounts to put them on a lot of different makes of cameras.

NASA never made lenses. NASA contracted lens and camera makers to produce the lenses.

Paul Howell · Dec 2, 2022

And NASA picked, Leica M, Hasselblad and Nikon, John Glen picked a rebranded Minolta fixed lens rangefinder with a spring advance motor drive that NASA rebuilt to be by him wearing his space suite and gloves.

Leicaflex SL2 - Need assistance with purchase

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