Leicaflex SL2

Most everyone associates Leica with their famous M rangefinder cameras. And those Leica rangefinders are gorgeous cameras! But in the late 1950s, a revolution was beginning in 35mm cameras…from rangefinders to the SLR or single lens reflex. A number of different manufacturers began building 35mm SLR cameras but it was NIkon’s F camera that turned the world upside down when it was introduced in April of 1959. The F was an immediate success, with professional photographers putting aside their rangefinders and large format press cameras for the new Nikon system camera.

The folks at Leica took notice and began developing their own SLR camera. The first, the Leicaflex Standard, was introduced in 1963. The standard was a well made, professional caliber camera but was nearly outdated by the time it hit the market. The Standard offered on board metering, but not through the lens. Metering was done through a little eyeball on the front of the prism finder. Soon after, Pentax would introduce their Spotmatic with through the lens stop down metering and Nikon would offer a TTL Photomic metering head for their F. The photographic world was quickly embracing through the lens metering and Leica needed to catch up.

In 1968, Leica answered the call of critics with the introduction of the Leicaflex SL. SL stood for selective light, a through the lens system that was nearly spot metering . Second only to the Leica R4, the SL was Leica’s most popular SLR camera, selling 75,000 units before the SL2 was introduced in 1974. My first Leica SLR several years ago was the SL and I didn't warm to it then. Mostly because of the lack of a split image focus screen. My original SL also had a meter that sometimes worked but mostly didn’t. That early experience with the SL dulled my desire to try the SL2 or even one of the later R series cameras.

It wasn’t until some years later, after having some good experiences with Leica R cameras, that I read a very positive review on James Tocchio’s website that peaked my interest in trying the SL2. Wanting one to buy, I discovered, was far easier than finding one to buy.

Even the newest Leicaflex SL2 is over 40 years old and they weren’t made in the quantities of say, the Nikon F…so there were far fewer decent examples for sale. I finally found one that was very nice cosmetically, that the seller indicated had a meter that was still responding to light and a clean looking battery chamber, so I pulled the trigger.

I was pleased when the camera arrived. It was in great shape and the shutter sounded strong. Although not the correct voltage (the SL2 takes a now banned 1.35v mercury battery) I popped a 1.5v 625A battery into the chamber and the meter came alive. The only real disappointment was when I looked through the big and beautiful SL2 viewfinder…it had all sorts of brown spots inside! Fungus? Some other sort of crud?

My SL2 just before sending it to DAG Camera Repair. Out front, that’s the German-made E67 version of the 35-70 Vario-Elmar.

I had plans to send this camera off immediately for service with Don Goldberg at DAG Camera Repair, so I emailed Don and asked about the brown spots. He responded that the brown spots weren’t some creepy crawling fungus or even dirt. The spots I was seeing were from a de-silvering of the prism which is somewhat common in old reflex cameras. Luckily, Don had replacement prisms in stock and told me that would take care of the problem.

About a month later, my SL2 was back from Don’s shop with a full CLA, conversion to 1.5v battery and a bright and crystal clear viewfinder with no brown spots! While waiting for my camera to come back, I ordered a custom leather half case from Luigi Crescenzi. Luigi makes awesome cases and sumptuous straps.

I have only met a few film SLRs that I disliked, many I liked, some I liked a lot and just a few that I love. I LOVE the SL2! It might be the smoothest, sweetest sounding, most confidence-inspiring camera I have ever shot…period! There’s a story around the internet that Leica over built this camera and lost money on every copy sold. Their rationale was that people would buy lenses and that’s how they’d make money. I am not sure if this is true or just an urban legend, but I will tell you that the SL2 is over built. Every single part. The fit and finish on my SL2 is extraordinary. Every knob, lever and dial moves with perfection and authority. It’s a camera you want to shoot with and fiddle with when you’re not.

The SL2 is a mechanical, manual everything camera. The battery powers only the light meter, the shutter is totally independent of the battery throughout the range of speeds. The viewfinder is huge with analog meters for shutter speed and aperture settings along the bottom and a match needle for the meter on the right side. Adjust settings until the two needles overlay each other and you have perfect exposure. A little button lights up the viewfinder displays in dim light.

You load film in all Leica SLRs the opposite way you do most 35mm cameras. Slide the end of the film under the gray slots on the take up spool, pull the film cartridge across the film plane and drop the cartridge into the left side. Wind one shot onto the take up reel and close the back. Seemed strange at first, but it’s easy and always works flawlessly.

The SL2 is a heavy camera. It feels best with a big lens out front. My 35-70 Vario Elmar balanced nicely on the SL2. I also have a 50 Summicron and 28/2.8 Elmarit. Shooting the SL2 is pure joy. Unlike the SL, this camera has a split image focus screen and the viewfinder makes you feel as if are looking at an IMAX movie screen. With shutter speed and aperture displayed along the bottom and the meter reading along the side, you can literally make adjustments and shoot without taking the camera from your eye.

My first roll in the SL2 was some Fuji Acros. I shot out on Mare Island at the site of an old Navy ship and submarine building facility and around Yountville, CA.

First, Mare Island…

And in Yountville…

This Vespa scooter is on permanent display outside a little shop. It’s one of my favorite subjects.

There are better cameras for street photography, but the SL2 isn’t bad!

Inside a tasting room with available light through the window.

I’ve shot this market many times. It’s a great subject. Hardest part is waiting for a moment to get a shot with no cars on the street in front.

I’m glad that I didn’t dismiss Leicaflex cameras after my first experience with the SL. The SL2 is a delight and provided me with an enjoyable weekend of shooting! I have never been a zoom fan but I was surprised at how well the 35-70 Vario-Elmar performed too and am anxious to use it more.

If you’re a fan of simple mechanical cameras and don’t mind investing some time in the hunt and a few dollars on purchase and service cost, the SL2 is a great choice. And those Leica R lenses are very very nice.

PS: Just about the time I had sent this SL2 off to DAG, my buddies at Tamarkin Camera called me and asked “Hey, weren’t you looking for a Leicaflex SL2? We just got a minty one in.”

What can I say? Merry Christmas to me. :-)