Link to 1974 Modern Photography review of 60 cameras

[Paul Howell]

Of the 2 large popular style photography mags Popular Photography and Modern I put more faith in Modern's reviews, sometime in the late 80s it was closed and the subscriptions sold to Popular Photography.

 

[BobD]

The section on the Leicaflex SL2 says:

"The SL 2's lens mount has been changed
to mesh with a new line of Minolta-inspired
Leitz lenses, which have a shorter back
focus than the lenses for earlier Leica-
flexes. Because of the back-focus shift,
Leitz has reduced the space required by
the mirror movement in the SL2 and fail-
safed the mount. by lengthening one of the
three bayonet flanges on the new lenses.
Consequently, lenses designed for the SL2
won't fit the SL or the early Leicaflex, how-
ever, all Leitz reflex lenses to date will
mate with the SL2."

Is this accurate?

I understand about the 1,2,3-cam lenses but the bold text above is a new one on me.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I had the Minolta SRT 101

 

[Huss]

Hi everyone! I saw some hits coming in on these old Kepplers Vault articles and followed them here! Sounds like you all found them useful. If there's any questions you guys have, let me know!

I for one would like to thank you for the effort!

 

[macfred]

The section on the Leicaflex SL2 says:

"The SL 2's lens mount has been changed
to mesh with a new line of Minolta-inspired
Leitz lenses, which have a shorter back
focus than the lenses for earlier Leica-
flexes. Because of the back-focus shift,
Leitz has reduced the space required by
the mirror movement in the SL2 and fail-
safed the mount. by lengthening one of the
three bayonet flanges on the new lenses.
Consequently, lenses designed for the SL2
won't fit the SL or the early Leicaflex, how-
ever, all Leitz reflex lenses to date will
mate with the SL2."

Is this accurate?

I understand about the 1,2,3-cam lenses but the bold text above is a new one on me.

Resources from photoethnography.com

... there are some lenses that can't be used on the original Leicaflex and the Leicaflex SL because Leitz changed the mirror clearance distance with the SL2. The incompatible lenses are:

• 15mm Elmar-R
• 15mm Elmarit-R
• 16mm Fisheye
• 19mm Elamrit-R, current version (first version is OK)
• 24mm Elmarit-R
• 35mm Summilux-R
• 50mm Summilux-R, current version (older versions OK)
• 80-200mm f/4.5 Vario (don't confuse this with the current 80-200 f/4)

You should also not use ROM lenses with the Leicaflex series (original, SL, SL2) because the ROM contacts will get damaged by the Leicaflex cam follower. To prevent problems, R-only lenses and ROM lenses have a slightly different bayonet mount so they won't mount on Leicaflex cameras. Don't try to force them on.

 

[BobD]

Resources from photoethnography.com

... there are some lenses that can't be used on the original Leicaflex and the Leicaflex SL because Leitz changed the mirror clearance distance with the SL2. The incompatible lenses are:

• 15mm Elmar-R
• 15mm Elmarit-R
• 16mm Fisheye
• 19mm Elamrit-R, current version (first version is OK)
• 24mm Elmarit-R
• 35mm Summilux-R
• 50mm Summilux-R, current version (older versions OK)
• 80-200mm f/4.5 Vario (don't confuse this with the current 80-200 f/4)

You should also not use ROM lenses with the Leicaflex series (original, SL, SL2) because the ROM contacts will get damaged by the Leicaflex cam follower. To prevent problems, R-only lenses and ROM lenses have a slightly different bayonet mount so they won't mount on Leicaflex cameras. Don't try to force them on.

View attachment 293326

Yes, I've seen that info, thanks.

However, the question is: Are there lenses that fit the SL2 but not the earlier Leicaflex models as the magazine article states?

 

[Mike Eckman]

Of the 2 large popular style photography mags Popular Photography and Modern I put more faith in Modern's reviews, sometime in the late 80s it was closed and the subscriptions sold to Popular Photography.

I found that while reading both magazines, Modern took a much more casual "real world' style to their reviews and articles. This likely had something to do with Herb Keppler while he worked there. In the 80s though is when he moved over to Popular Photography. I think the issue was that they eventually became owned by the same publisher, and it didnt make sense to funnel money into two, similar magazines. I am not entirely sure on that though. But yes, I generally prefer Modern's articles too.

I for one would like to thank you for the effort!

You're welcome! Although the Keppler's Vault series is over with, I will still be publishing reviews and other articles, plus, I'm doing the Camerosity Podcast now which you should check out!

Yes, I've seen that info, thanks.

However, the question is: Are there lenses that fit the SL2 but not the earlier Leicaflex models as the magazine article states?

If you're asking me, I am sorry, but I do not know. I only have limited experience with the Leicaflex series as the bodies and the lenses are a bit cost prohibitive!

 

[BobD]

Unless someone can show otherwise, I suspect this part is fiction:

"Leitz ... fail-safed the mount. by lengthening one of the three bayonet flanges on the new lenses. Consequently, lenses designed for the SL2 won't fit the SL or the early Leicaflex, however, all Leitz reflex lenses to date will mate with the SL2."

 

[foc]

Doesn't the Olympus OM1 look very modern, among all the rest of the 35mm SLRs.

 

[mrosenlof]

Unless someone can show otherwise, I suspect this part is fiction:

"Leitz ... fail-safed the mount. by lengthening one of the three bayonet flanges on the new lenses. Consequently, lenses designed for the SL2 won't fit the SL or the early Leicaflex, however, all Leitz reflex lenses to date will mate with the SL2."

The ROM lenses and those with only the "R cam" will not mount on the Leicaflex SL2 or earlier. Any of the earlier versions than those two will mount on all bodies. The 1 and 2 cam lenses are Not Recommended on the R8 or R9.

Here's my reference: http://photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/Lens-R.html

 

[mrosenlof]

Of the 2 large popular style photography mags Popular Photography and Modern I put more faith in Modern's reviews, sometime in the late 80s it was closed and the subscriptions sold to Popular Photography.

Looking back, I'm really not sure why, but I was a "modern" subscriber for many years (73 to early 90's I would guess). Something about them that appealed to me more than "pop". I read a few other photo magazines, including Pop, regularly at the library.

 

[Paul Howell]

Doesn't the Olympus OM1 look very modern, among all the rest of the 35mm SLRs.

I was really impressed by the OM-1, the Air Force and LA Times field tested the OM system, but did not stand up as well the Nikon F2 to daily hard use. I think in the Air Forces case the cost of new lens was factor in staying with Nikon. On the whole I would give a nod to Olympus lens.

 

[BobD]

The ROM lenses and those with only the "R cam" will not mount on the Leicaflex SL2 or earlier. Any of the earlier versions than those two will mount on all bodies. The 1 and 2 cam lenses are Not Recommended on the R8 or R9.

Here's my reference: http://photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/Lens-R.html

Yes, I know.

Oh, well. I tried. Maybe someday someone here will actually READ my posts and answer the question that was actually asked. Until then ...