dave lackey
Veteran
Now that I have a moment to be distracted, it is time to get your opinions on a Leicaflex...
Which one?
This is a short movie that I found years ago and it has given me the crazy idea to actually trade up to a Leicaflex but life has gotten in the way time and again.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mMn5Znta3EU
Life is short.... so,
Which one?
Which one?
This is a short movie that I found years ago and it has given me the crazy idea to actually trade up to a Leicaflex but life has gotten in the way time and again.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mMn5Znta3EU
Life is short.... so,
Which one?
Larry Cloetta
Veteran
Hi Dave,
There’s not much Leicaflex in that movie!
I have only ever had the SL and the SL 2. I don’t think you can go wrong with either. The R series take the same lenses, but those bodies are an entirely different kettle of fish, pros and cons. Tons of info on web. Some people like them some don’t.
Meter on SL2 is marginally better than SL. Both as good as meter in M6, in day to day normal use. Battery is a total non-issue, just get a pradthai adapter and problem solved, so don’t get distracted by that. The 50mm Summicron is not expensive, though the others certainly can be. You’re going to get a ton of conflicting opinions, not all of them perhaps valid for you. Only way to know is to buy one and find out for yourself. Just get a good one from someone you can trust, and it should be very reliable. I prefer them to Ms if forced to choose, but a completely different experience. Others will differ, but that’s a personal choice, neither right nor wrong.
There’s not much Leicaflex in that movie!
I have only ever had the SL and the SL 2. I don’t think you can go wrong with either. The R series take the same lenses, but those bodies are an entirely different kettle of fish, pros and cons. Tons of info on web. Some people like them some don’t.
Meter on SL2 is marginally better than SL. Both as good as meter in M6, in day to day normal use. Battery is a total non-issue, just get a pradthai adapter and problem solved, so don’t get distracted by that. The 50mm Summicron is not expensive, though the others certainly can be. You’re going to get a ton of conflicting opinions, not all of them perhaps valid for you. Only way to know is to buy one and find out for yourself. Just get a good one from someone you can trust, and it should be very reliable. I prefer them to Ms if forced to choose, but a completely different experience. Others will differ, but that’s a personal choice, neither right nor wrong.
peterm1
Veteran
Now that I have a moment to be distracted, it is time to get your opinions on a Leicaflex...
Which one?
This is a short movie that I found years ago and it has given me the crazy idea to actually trade up to a Leicaflex but life has gotten in the way time and again.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mMn5Znta3EU
Life is short.... so,
Which one?
I think what you really need is a Harley.
leicapixie
Well-known
The SL and SL2 are old!
There are issues with the prism losing reflective surfaces, foam disintegrating, and some have issues with large shutter drum.
The lenses are great. The Summicron 50 mm was one of the sharpest lenses ever tested by the defunct magazines "Camera 35" and " Modern Photography".
I have enough trouble having services and repairs on an M!
The Leicaflex is totally Leica unlike the rebadged and messed electronics of the "R" series.
Those are really Minolta which have really nice lenses, much like Leica..
If the price is good, you have possibility of repairs, go slowly.
At worst the lenses easy on digital.
There are issues with the prism losing reflective surfaces, foam disintegrating, and some have issues with large shutter drum.
The lenses are great. The Summicron 50 mm was one of the sharpest lenses ever tested by the defunct magazines "Camera 35" and " Modern Photography".
I have enough trouble having services and repairs on an M!
The Leicaflex is totally Leica unlike the rebadged and messed electronics of the "R" series.
Those are really Minolta which have really nice lenses, much like Leica..
If the price is good, you have possibility of repairs, go slowly.
At worst the lenses easy on digital.
Timmyjoe
Veteran
That video is an interesting style and made me want to find out who Roberto Rossi is. Looks like he's an Italian custom Harley Davidson builder. Found this very similar video on him as well. Shot in the same style. No Leicaflex though.
Best,
-Tim
Best,
-Tim
Timmyjoe
Veteran
I think what you really need is a Harley.
Done!
Oh, you were talking to David. Sorry.
Best,
-Tim
BillBingham2
Registered User
I owned and SL2 and SL2-MOT (worlds first weaponised 35mm).
The SL2 just felt smooth and solid in my hands. While the MOT was bigger it was the best sounding motor driven camera I've heard.
B2 (;->
The SL2 just felt smooth and solid in my hands. While the MOT was bigger it was the best sounding motor driven camera I've heard.
B2 (;->
dave lackey
Veteran
Argh... you guys are mean!
We sold our Road King a year ago after a 17 year life with it to patially fund a start-up business for my wife I made age in order to produce a small income to offset her increasing medical bills. I am still ok with that.
Yeah, I would love another. Do I need one? Not anymore, my therapist says so.
LOL...!!!!
We sold our Road King a year ago after a 17 year life with it to patially fund a start-up business for my wife I made age in order to produce a small income to offset her increasing medical bills. I am still ok with that.
Yeah, I would love another. Do I need one? Not anymore, my therapist says so.
LOL...!!!!
dave lackey
Veteran
Good points, Bill, thanks.
I will say that Sherry Krauter has a couple for sale and I am quite comfortable buying from her... the price is going to take a minute to deal with though...
Godfrey
somewhat colored
Lovely little movie. I may ride a different bike—Moto Guzzi—but the dream of riding in the emptiness and beauty of early morning's cool, slowly, drinking in the glory of another sunrise, and making photographs with such a beautiful machine as a Leicaflex SL is the dream I woke to for most of my life. For if I can see another sunrise, and hear the quiet chug of the machine taking me across this world, I have been able to live another day. And there is no greater joy than that.
The Leicaflex SL I first came across at the camera shop in my home town, Camera Craft, in 1969. I picked it up and fell in love with it instantly. Heavy, solid, beautifully made, every surface on it a joy to touch. Owning one was a fantasy until 2013, when I found that no one was valuing the Leica reflex cameras for some odd reason. I had two for a while, and a big batch of lenses, and they were every bit as wonderful to hold and use as my fantasy had held them to be all those years.
I kept one of them, a black one made in 1972, and a modest kit of lenses (19mm, 50mm, 60mm macro, 90mm, 100mm macro, 180mm). I use it rarely and always with great joy. Although I have a great fondness for the Nikon F plain prism that reminds me of my first "real" camera, the Leicaflex SL is my all time favorite 35mm SLR. No other 35mm SLR has ever had that feel or those lenses ... brilliant and superb.
They're expensive to repair, parts are scarce, meters are sometimes funky as heck, prisms are old enough to be delaminating, etc. None of it matters to me.
G
Leicaflex SL + Summicron-R 90mm f/2
ISO 400 @ f/2 @ 1/500
dave lackey
Veteran
Thanks for the input, Larry. As always, sound advice.
I still have my R4, minus lenses I sold to pay rent a few years ago. That camera is no Leicaflex but it is very satisying to use! TBH, I do prefer an SLR over a rangefinder. So, I am considering selling something for a Leicaflex, just for the experience...
Life is too short not to.
I still have my R4, minus lenses I sold to pay rent a few years ago. That camera is no Leicaflex but it is very satisying to use! TBH, I do prefer an SLR over a rangefinder. So, I am considering selling something for a Leicaflex, just for the experience...
Life is too short not to.
dave lackey
Veteran
Done!
Oh, you were talking to David. Sorry.
Best,
-Tim
Hahahaha! Tim, that looks similar to my first motorcycle, a 94 Harley Convertible. Loved that bike!
dave lackey
Veteran
Lovely little movie. I may ride a different bike—Moto Guzzi—but the dream of riding in the emptiness and beauty of early morning's cool, slowly, drinking in the glory of another sunrise, and making photographs with such a beautiful machine as a Leicaflex SL is the dream I woke to for most of my life. For if I can see another sunrise, and hear the quiet chug of the machine taking me across this world, I have been able to live another day. And there is no greater joy than that.
The Leicaflex SL I first came across at the camera shop in my home town, Camera Craft, in 1969. I picked it up and fell in love with it instantly. Heavy, solid, beautifully made, every surface on it a joy to touch. Owning one was a fantasy until 2013, when I found that no one was valuing the Leica reflex cameras for some odd reason. I had two for a while, and a big batch of lenses, and they were every bit as wonderful to hold and use as my fantasy had held them to be all those years.
I kept one of them, a black one made in 1972, and a modest kit of lenses (19mm, 50mm, 60mm macro, 90mm, 100mm macro, 180mm). I use it rarely and always with great joy. Although I have a great fondness for the Nikon F plain prism that reminds me of my first "real" camera, the Leicaflex SL is my all time favorite 35mm SLR. No other 35mm SLR has ever had that feel or those lenses ... brilliant and superb.
They're expensive to repair, parts are scarce, meters are sometimes funky as heck, prisms are old enough to be delaminating, etc. None of it matters to me.
G
Leicaflex SL + Summicron-R 90mm f/2
ISO 400 @ f/2 @ 1/500
Absolutely perfect story! I feel exactly the same way!
I love your description of early morning rides with two fab machines. A motorcycle and a camera. The older I get the more I appreciate both but long for those simple rides and the same fantasy as you described.
Thanks Godfrey!
davidnewtonguitars
Family Snaps
You can tell a real Harley guy when he goes straight for the water-filled pothole instead of turning slightly to the left or right.
Hatchetman
Well-known
I have the original version or "standard" as I've heard. Bought it about 5 years ago. Works perfectly. Great camera. I changed the light seals with some wool thread. Sometimes you get lucky when buying old cameras, and this time I did.
Dralowid
Michael
Timmyjoe
Veteran
Hahahaha! Tim, that looks similar to my first motorcycle, a 94 Harley Convertible. Loved that bike!
Yeah David, one of the things I really like about the Sporty is it truly is a "convertible". Here's how it's set up for riding around town:
And here's how it's set up when I ride it out to Sturgis, with the bigger tank, more padded seat, and sissy bar for packing:
Fun bike.
Best,
-Tim
gbealnz
Well-known
Get one and try it Dave, not a lot of outlay.
Like others have said, I too prefer the R to the M, owning both.
My SL is here forever, and the Summicrons 35/50/90 as well.
Gary
Like others have said, I too prefer the R to the M, owning both.
My SL is here forever, and the Summicrons 35/50/90 as well.
Gary
farlymac
PF McFarland
One way to look at it, Dave, is the SL/SL2 take the two-cam lenses, which seem to require a lower outlay in cash since you can't use them in full mode on the R series cameras. Every time I saw a really nice price on an R lens, it was usually a two-cam model.
So if Sherry has a nice SL2 for sale, you would be getting a camera that has just been serviced, and any extra that might be can be saved on the price of the lenses.
PF
So if Sherry has a nice SL2 for sale, you would be getting a camera that has just been serviced, and any extra that might be can be saved on the price of the lenses.
PF
sarkleshark
Newbie
ROM lenses on the Leicaflex?
ROM lenses on the Leicaflex?
Sweet!! Please tell me, Can you use R ROM lenses on the lecicaflex II or will you damage the ROM contacts??
thanks
ROM lenses on the Leicaflex?
Sweet!! Please tell me, Can you use R ROM lenses on the lecicaflex II or will you damage the ROM contacts??
thanks