Leicaflex SL, or Nikon N90s?

[Steve M.]

I have the luxury of this choice....do I go w/ a Nikon N90s w/ 50 R Summicron, or a Leicaflex SL w/ a similar lens? Both weigh about the same, the Nikon isn't as wide but is taller.

The 'flex is everything you'd want in a MF camera. Incredible viewfinder, super accurate meter, and it's a black paint version. Nice. But on the down side, I can't see the whole frame w/ my glasses on, it has no automated film advance, top shutter speed of only 1/2000, and no AE. If it breaks it would cost a fortune to fix too.

The N90s has spot, matrix and center weighted metering, AE, AE lock, focus confirmation in the VF, top shutter speed of 1/8000, automated film advance, and a viewfinder that is almost as nice as the 'flex (AND I can see the whole frame w/ my glasses on). It also cost 50 bucks, so if it breaks just buy another one. The downsides are you have to use stop down metering, which w/ such a nice viewfinder is no big deal really, and it doesn't have that cool factor.

I'm leaning toward the Nikon, but would love to hear some other's opinions.

 

[Livesteamer]

Get the Leicaflex SL. Nikon N90s is common and easy to find. Not so the Leicaflex. Good Luck. Joe

 

[Steve M.]

Thanks Joe. I agree, but the advantages of the electronic Nikon are starting to tromp the old girl.

 

[mretina]

It depends if you plan to get additonal lenses and which ones. Leicaflex is definitely a better looking choice and you do not need to fiddle with adapters. If you like old cameras you feel good handling one.

 

[Landshark]

There are quite a few advantages for the Nikon from a use angle. It is/was one of the best deals for a Nikon they ever had when they were new. Many wedding photographers used this because it was such a workhorse.
Stop down on the Nikon means you're using MF lenses right?

The way I use a camera, I don't want or need any electronics. Call me Luddite.
What are they asking for the SL?

 

[FrankS]

Apples and oranges. What do you plan to use it for? For work: Nikon, for pleasure: Leicaflex.

 

[x-ray]

I owned two SL's and an SL MOT back when they were in production. I used them professionally but not heavy and wound up getting rid of them after a couple of years. They were mechanical and electrical disasters. Meter problems and shutter problems constantly. I also found the focusing difficult and disliked the single stroke wind. The bodies were awkward feeling to me.

I have a friend who is still using SL2's in his work and loves them but understand repairs are costly. He says the SL2 was a much better camera.

I have no experience with the N90 but personally would go that route given the experience I've had with the SL. N90's are so cheap you can throw them away rather than repair them. Nikon optics are excellent too.

 

[farlymac]

When I had to divest myself a few years ago of a vast collection of cameras and gear, I kept three out of the auction. My Dad's Argus CC; my first rangefinder, a Yashica GTN; and my N90s outfit. It's just a great camera.

PF

 

[Keith]

I have an N90s that cost me sixty dollars several years ago and it's an absolute brick of a camera ... it's totally reliable!

I hardly use it but there's little point in selling it either. I have a 35mm f2 AFD lens that I put on it occasionally and I have to say it becomes the ultimate point and shoot with this lens on it in AF and AE mode with that amazing matrix metering.

 

[Bobbo]

I'm a "ZOMG NiKoN FTW!!!!!1 Fanboi," so I'm going to say... it depends🙂.

I don't know what else you own. Do you have any other Nikon lenses or a desire for more? How about a DSLR? If so, the answer is very clear. If you're a Canon person, you know that Summicron will fit that with the right adapter, right? You don't need to buy either camera then unless you really want to, hehe.

If not... do you plan on more Leica lenses, or did you just want the 'cron? How important is being able to see the whole finder with your glasses on (that's a huge one for me)? I lived with stop-down metering for years with an old Ricoh screwmount camera, and it was very livable. I also like to use non-chipped lenses on my D90, but film doesn't have a histogram, does it?

Remember, the SL probably still uses mercury batteries, rather than AA's you can steal out of the remote, the baby monitor or the wife/girlfriend's, ahem, "massager."

As far as repair costs, the Nikon, even if it broke (probably not as likely, based on nothing more than anecdotal evidence), could still be fixed relatively cheaply, as it was a very popular camera, or you could just get another, or try a different Nikon, like the F3hp, N8008 or F6.

If I were getting more Leica lenses, I'd get the SL, but I'd probably get a newer body like an R4 for poops and giggles, if not the R8 (which for some strange reason reminds me of a Manwich on it's side). The later, however, costs the same as about 8-10 N90s. Take it FWIW.

 

[Steve M.]

Funny, I find the Leicaflex SL (not the original Leicaflex) to have the best viewfinder of any camera I've ever used. It's awesome, and very easy to focus with. Looks like a big, bright picture window. The only other lens I see using is an R 90 Summicron, so the Nikon is good for that too.

I think FrankS nailed the issue. While the 'flex is a lot of fun to use and looks pleasantly retro, you can get your shots off so much quicker w/ the Nikon. That AE really speeds things up, along w/ the motorized film advance. It's a tough decision. Here's 2 from the Nikon's R 50 lens. I'd forgotten how good the R glass is, and w/ the Nikon I can shoot pretty much wide open (2nd shot) even in the sun because of the higher top speed. There was a busy building behind the statue, and I was able to eliminate it by shooting at f2.

 

[Beemermark]

Check out the cost of lenses. I've had/have both systems (SL2) and Nikon lenses are every bit as good or better than the Leica lenses. At about 1/10 the cost. I always wished that I could mount my Nikon Lenses on the SL2. i just love the SL2 body.

 

[ChrisP]

OM-1 and 50/1.2 for a similar price or with a 1.1 mil 50/1.4 for cheaper (I'm guessing on prices here)

 

[VinceC]

If you go with the Nikon body, you might want to look for some (equally affordable) Nikkor lenses. Would make it more useable. The older 50/2 Nikkor is practically a giveaway and widely considered one of the sharpest lenses ever, with excellent out-of-focus rendering. The older manual focus 50/1.8 is similar and, if possible, sharper. The 50/1.4 is a Nikkor classic, started production in the early/mid-60s and has a formula nearly identical to the Millenneum/Olympic Nikkor 1.4 that has tested favorably alongside the latest computer-designed Leitz 1.4.

 

[jarski]

Flex is same system as your Cron, so I'd keep them. Also as someone pointed, Nikon is easier to buy back if you miss it, or buy F100 instead.

 

[santino]

IMO the SL is the way to go. It's the SLR counterpart of the M and the viewfinder image is just bright and clear - very easy to focus. The only downside is the lack of mirror lock up.

 

[f16sunshine]

I would get the Leicaflex. AE Metering is not so important for an experienced guy like you. The shutter speed advantage is really not one. 1/8000 in a film camera is just for bling factor imo. Well, depends on the film I guess. The point I'm getting to is reciprocity failure will set in at 1/4000-1/8000 requiring you to stop down and give a longer exposure anyway. With digital such as the M8 1/800 is great. Film not so much. The Leicaflex looks great too and I agree about the screen. If you want a Nikon you can likely ad one to the fray for peanuts.

 

[photo_fred]

I use Ais lenses on my F90x and my F801s and don't need to use stopped down metering.Even more than my F90x,I like using My F801s as I love the sound of the shutter and I can do multiple exposures without the need of an additional back.Comes in handy.The 801's are dirt cheap on ebay and are work horses also.I just won another one on ebay for the princely sum of 99 cents.Don't rule out the F801s /N8008s.

 

[Teuthida]

If you want to shoot cheap and easy, get the N90. If you want rhe best mechanical SLR ever made, get the Flex, but you're going to have to spend serious jack if you want a variety of optics for it.

 

[varjag]

Get the black Leicaflex. If you change your mind later, sell it and buy three N90s for the change. Why is this even a question? 🙂