Leicaflex SL with 35f2.8?

[rpilottx]

I purchased an R6.2 a couple months ago and have the 50f2 and 135f2.8. I am presently in London with the family and came across a Leicaflex SL with 35f2.8 in mint condition for a very reasonable price at Classic Cameras near the British Museum.

Now I don't need another camera (who on this forum really does?) but the SL/SL2 is one of those cameras I have always wanted to own. I have been enjoying the R6.2 (especially when I leave the Digilux5 in the hotel room) and for $650 I can get the SL with 35f2.8.

I figure the 35 is a two cam lens which should work on the 6.2 and I assume the 3 cam lenses will work on the SL. Am I correct? Have to make the decision soon as we fly back to Iceland on Tuesday evening.

 

[Shac]

I can confirm that most 3 cam lenses work fine on the SL - According to Doug Herr the exceptions are "These lenses include the 15mm Elmar-R and Elmarit-R reclinear lenses, the 16mm Fisheye-Elmarit-R, the second version of the 19mm Elmarit-R, the 24mm Elmarit-R, the 35mm Summilux-R, the 80-200 f/4.5 VARIO-Elmar zoom, the current version of the 50mm Summilux-R and the current short zooms: 35-70mm f/4, 28-90mm f/2.8-4.5, and 21-35mm."

http://nemeng.com/leica/001c.shtml go down to "Which one to get?"

 

[Gary E]

The 2 cam lens will not meter on the R3-R9 bodies; only 3rd or 3 cam lenses will. The SL will also not mount certain lenses to protect the mirror and or the rear lens element; the lens mount is slightly different.

 

[Frank Petronio]

The cautions with a SL are that the prisms tend to spot and yellow, and it is an expensive repair for some expert like DAG (I don't know if he can still do them, it was $350 in the late 90s for mine). And of course the Mercury battery-Wein Cell-? factor. And they weigh a ton. And their top shutter speed ain't too fast.

But they feel a lot more like a Leica than any R. They are beautiful diesel cameras. When the viewfinder is clean they are wonderful to look through, their meters are great, the finder info is great, etc.

You shouldn't use the two-cam on the R body.

A two-cam 90/2.8 is a great portrait lens on an SL.

I would get an SL over an SL2 since the high speeds on the SL2 often caused a jam.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Of all the cameras I've owned over the last 30+ years, the SL is the one camera I regret having sold. A very nice camera, despite some of its shortcomings.

Only thing about your prospective deal is that $650 sounds a bit much (at least to me). But if it's mint, maybe not.

 

[Ronald M]

SL are having age related problems like separation around viewfinder edge.

The 2 cam 35 is a decent lens, but not great. Takes series vi filters. The retaining ring may or may not be on the lens, the shade is same as 50 mm. Both will be hard to find. Two cam will only do stop down metering on R6, ut you can add the third cam for ~ $100.

Battery issues with 1.35 mercury battery and available alkaline is not a good substitute as it looses voltage as it ages. Other fixes available.

35 2.8 with 55mm filter is the one to get. Put the money there and let the camera sit.

 

[rpilottx]

Lens instead of Body

Lens instead of Body

Classic Camera (next to the British Museum) has a SL with 35 f2.8 Elmarit R for 399 pounds. FG Lewis just around the corner had a mint SL for 299. I ended up with a 28 which rounds out the R system. It is mint and cost the same as the ones I have seen at KEH or Tamarkin.