It's not necesarely the brightness that made the viefinder stand out, it's the magnification (0.9 - same as M3), chrispness and the pop effect when the image is sharp. Easy to shoot with a f/6,8 telyt. Bare in mind that the viewfinders are half a century old now and that many didn't age well; desilvering and brown spots are common.
Leicaflex
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It's not necesarely the brightness that made the viefinder stand out, it's the magnification (0.9 - same as M3), chrispness and the pop effect when the image is sharp. Easy to shoot with a f/6,8 telyt. Bare in mind that the viewfinders are half a century old now and that many didn't age well; desilvering and brown spots are common.
I have the original Leicaflex version. Weighs a ton. Goes KACHUNG when you trip the shutter. Very pleasing sound. Crude meter, but works well enough.
Yes, i've seen desilvering and brown spots with many of them.
As for magnification, i don't care so much for it, to be honest. I'd prefer a light and crisp, and zero distortion, 0.8x viewfinder than a 0.92x finder that was inferior in some regards.
Not to discourage anyone from the Leicaflexes, of course, which are nice machines. But i'm offering my alternatives.
I'd also include, as alternative, the Nikon F2AS. Viewfinder is also great, machine is very smooth as well.
The only difference between the F2A and the F2AS is the finder...same F2 body and metering system. The latter of which has silicone photo diodes and the F2A Cds with the needle. Did I ever show mine? Lovely camera and spot on metering...not to mention absolutely pristine.(My avatar)
...and, my old FTN Photomic
...and, my old FTN Photomic
I had several of the SL models, which I liked more than the SL2s. Loved them. They are quite big and heavy though. Best viewfinder in any SLR in my opinion (if it hasn't developed issues), and the meters are just great. The original Leicaflex had a very different, rudimentary meter.
The cameras are fiendishly complicated to repair, but the good news is that if you get one that works right, you won't need any repairs. Mine never did. Owned the R3, R4, and R5 models too. Not at all the same build quality, but loads smaller and lighter.
Finally, I went w/ Nikons to shoot my Leica R glass w/ an inexpensive adapter. They just did a better job for me, and an N8008s (or even a tiny FG) using stopped down metering and AE is very fast to shoot. The R 50 is a nice lens (get the first version, the later Canadian versions have harsh bokeh), but the 90's are the jewels of the system. The early model R 90 2.8 Elmarit is just a fantastic lens for portraits or anything, and the R 90 2 Summicron is magic at f2.
The cameras are fiendishly complicated to repair, but the good news is that if you get one that works right, you won't need any repairs. Mine never did. Owned the R3, R4, and R5 models too. Not at all the same build quality, but loads smaller and lighter.
Finally, I went w/ Nikons to shoot my Leica R glass w/ an inexpensive adapter. They just did a better job for me, and an N8008s (or even a tiny FG) using stopped down metering and AE is very fast to shoot. The R 50 is a nice lens (get the first version, the later Canadian versions have harsh bokeh), but the 90's are the jewels of the system. The early model R 90 2.8 Elmarit is just a fantastic lens for portraits or anything, and the R 90 2 Summicron is magic at f2.
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I've used Canon New F1's for about about thirty years, and have never wanted a Leicaflex or any other 'flex.
variety is the spice of life as they say.
A man of modest needs
A Canon F-1N in very good shape is not one of the cheapest 2ndhand cameras around, to be honest.
Anyways, back to the Leicaflex; I recall when I had the chance to purchase a fully working SL for $150 or 200, complete with 50/2. I regret not taking the offer, but I wasn't *that* impressed. It surely felt like the most solid and massive 35mm camera (at that time), though.
No (it has to be stopped down fot metering). You need 3-cam, 3rd cam (R-cameras only) or ROM (which is 3rd cam + some electronics).
2-cam requires stop-down metering on R3-R7.
Best site I've found for this:
http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/Lens-R.html
They also say "enough is a feast", I just don't believe that greed is good and subscribe to the received wisdom on this forum that "more is better" and am more interested in photographs than the equipment used to produce them.
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I respect that.
With what you do have, you're definitely not missing out on anything.
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