Best built mechanical SLR?

[Dralowid]

I suspect Alpas are not for mere mortals like you and I...

In defence of the SL, it would appear that the internet is riddled with tales of woe and dread. All I'd say is that I bought my SL MOT off an unknown buyer on Ebay some 15(?) years ago. It was cheap and has worked faultlessly since. 15 years is but the blink of an eye in the life of an SL.

I have managed to break two things. The little plastic lens catch (which is easily replaced with a steel one) and I confused the motor which despite all my efforts went on permanent strike, I now have another that works...should I ever choose to use it.

 

[raid]

I used the Canon F1n and F1N for many years, and I find them to be rock solid cameras. I also used the Nikon F and F2. Both cameras are very reliable too. I preferred the F1N to all cameras as it allowed me to interchange viewing screens with different metering patterns. My two F1N never stopped working, and they never failed. I used two T-90 cameras as my back-up cameras.

Among cameras that I have used a lot, the Rolleiflex SL series is unreliable overall. They took great Zeiss lenses, but the cameras would fail over and over. Of course, the Rolleiflex TLR is very well built. Not much can break down there. Same applies to the Hasselblad SWC.

I found the Pentax Spotmatic to be well built and reliable overall.

 

[Tejasican]

Someone mentioned limited spare part availability for the Leicaflex SL, and that has not been my experience. In originally getting some Leicaflex SL up and running I needed a few spare parts (replacement prism, meter board, plus some other minor stuff) and at the time (circa 2008), all these items were still available from Leica. I frankly was stunned (in a good way) regarding the spare part availability.

Not the case anymore. I sent my Leicaflex SL to Leica in 2013 and they sent it back. They won't touch it.

 

[nobbylon]

I can see another internet myth rearing it's head again!
The SL can still be serviced by a few good people and parts are available if you know where to look. I've had an SL done recently that required a part which was no problem.

 

[Calzone]

I can see another internet myth rearing it's head again!
The SL can still be serviced by a few good people and parts are available if you know where to look. I've had an SL done recently that required a part which was no problem.

Leica New Jersey no longer services the SL and SL2 and I believe the M5, but Sherry bought their whole lot of spares and holds a stockpile.

Cal

 

[steveyork]

Not the case anymore. I sent my Leicaflex SL to Leica in 2013 and they sent it back. They won't touch it.

Interesting. In my case, Sherry, DAG or Essex did repairs and they had the parts. And those repairs were done in the '08-'11 time range.

I wonder if Leica sold out their spare parts to the repair folks? I remember at least one case of someone on the Leica forum writing that they had sent their Leicaflex to Leica for repairs, and the repairs were completed, and that couldn't have been much more then a few years ago. He was in Europe. Maybe it happened before '13.

 

[steveyork]

Leica New Jersey no longer services the SL and SL2 and I believe the M5, but Sherry bought their whole lot of spares and holds a stockpile.

Cal

Here's the answer (above): My two favorite Leicas too (SL & M5). I know Essex had a lot of spare parts, but that was washed away with the hurricane.

 

[Calzone]

Here's the answer: My two favorite Leicas too (SL & M5). I know Essex had a lot of spare parts, but that was washed away with the hurricane.

Steve,

You have good taste. The SL and M5 are Sherry's two favorites.

Cal

 

[ChrisLivsey]

I suspect Alpas are not for mere mortals like you and I...

I am but a mere mortal and those are my Alpas. I have the receipt from the purchase, by me, in 1976 for the 7. Would you believe with case, 135mm Dalrac as well as 50mm Switar, extension tubes and double cable release with assorted filters the total bill was under 50 UK pounds, those were indeed the days. The 6 was my father's now passed down.

 

[someonenameddavid]

I think in 1976, the UK mag "Amateur Photographer" published a review of Alpa trashing the camera, which pretty much ended their UK presence... Alpa sold rebadged Chinon after that....

But as for feel and operation. .... better than Leica 《runs for cover》

David

 

[steveyork]

Never held an Alpa in my hands, but I've read they have pretty miserable viewfinders. Good lenses though. Just stuff I read in the forums over the years.

 

[Vince Lupo]

So little love because so few around?
Open most cameras mentioned and the innards look, well crude almost in finish and casting. Open an Alpa, if you dare, and it's like a fine watch, finished to perfection although destined to remain unseen by most owners.

Chris i'll throw a little Alpa love your way 🙂

A lovely 9d that I used to have, along with a Kern Macro-Switar. The lens had very long focus-travel, but other than that, this combo was a joy to use.



I got this 9d from Adorama about two years ago -- paid $80 for the body ('as-is'), and then had the Camera Wiz himself, Frank Marshman, give it the full spit and polish. Worked great (even the meter!).



I also loved the Leica SL - beautifully-made camera, and one I definitely miss.

The only other camera I can think of that was of even higher quality than either the Alpas or the Leica SL was the Robot Royal 36, but it's not an SLR 🙂

 

[ChrisLivsey]

Never held an Alpa in my hands, but I've read they have pretty miserable viewfinders. Good lenses though. Just stuff I read in the forums over the years.

The thread was best built :angel:

( I wouldn't stand up and defend them for brightness of viewfinder or operational slickness or indeed a lot of other attributes that are desirable, but build quality)

The lenses were all made by other makers, just happened to be some of the best makers though.

Yes in later years they went very downmarket indeed.

 

[ChrisLivsey]

Chris i'll throw a little Alpa love your way 🙂


I got this 9d from Adorama about two years ago -- paid $80 for the body ('as-is'), and then had the Camera Wiz himself, Frank Marshman, give it the full spit and polish. Worked great.



I also loved the Leica SL - beautifully-made camera, and one I definitely miss.

The only other camera I can think of that was of even higher quality than either the Alpas or the Leica SL was the Robot Royal 36, but it's not an SLR 🙂

Lovely indeed, never owned a 9.
The Kern Switar was absolutely glorious on Kodachrome.
I have handled a Robot Royal and yes carved from the solid was the impression I had. Another non SLR with a reputation is the Ilford Witness, I handled one very recently and thought it somewhat over rated from build and feel its reputation goes by its rareness methinks.

 

[Vince Lupo]

I have handled a Robot Royal and yes carved from the solid was the impression I had. Another non SLR with a reputation is the Ilford Witness, I handled one very recently and thought it somewhat over rated from build and feel its reputation goes by its rareness methinks.

Solid stainless steel Chris! The Robot was a pretty intense camera. I had both the 24 and the 36. I read somewhere online that it combined high-quality watchmaking with precision artillery 🙂

Hate to say this, but there's a new digital camera that has the same feel as these beasts -- the new Leica SL. If you ever have the chance, you must handle one!

 

[Dralowid]

Seems to me that Leicaflex servicing (if required) is more common on the eastern side of the pond...

The whole Alpa world is way to exotic for me...

 

[Calzone]

Seems to me that Leicaflex servicing (if required) is more common on the eastern side of the pond...

The whole Alpa world is way to exotic for me...

Seems like Sherry is the go to person for the SL and SL2. She has the entire stockpile of parts from Leica New Jersey.

She did a great job on my black SL2-MOT. Now I don't have GAS for a F2 anymore.

Cal

 

[Wulfthari]

Almost all Japanese SLRs from the 70s are extremely strong and reliable, in the pro range the F2 and F1 are the king, but also Pentax Spotmatics and K series are seriously strong.

For the 80s the F1N is a tank and to a lesser extend the LX, that is however better made than the Nikon FM and FM2.

 

[Godfrey]

Lovely indeed, never owned a 9....

Second only to a Leicaflex SL, the Alpa 10d was my fantasy for years. I have never owned a 10d, only handled them in the stores, but I did finally obtain a pair of Leicaflex SLs a few years back. They are as excellent to use as I'd always imagined they would be.

Far as usability, durability, serviceability, cost, and availability of lenses goes, very few cameras beat a Nikon F or F2. They're even pretty good on build quality.

 

[Huss]

Now I don't have GAS for a F2 anymore.

Cal

Not even an F2 Titan? Oooh those are nice...
Awesome name too.