Leicaflex SL2
Encyclopedia
The Leicaflex SL2 was a SLR
made by Leitz from 1974 as the third iteration of the Leicaflex
series.
The modifications from the Leicaflex SL
were relatively minor:
The Leicaflex SL2 was produced in chrome and in black chrome finish. 24,555 serial numbers were allotted for the SL2, but among them were some SL2 Mot. Some SL2s received special Leica 50 Jahre markings in 1975, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the first Leica.
Production of the SL2 ended in 1976, at which time it was replaced by the Leica R3
, a product of the cooperation agreement between Leitz and Minolta
. The R3 offered an electronic shutter and exposure automation in a camera body which shared little in common with the Leicaflex models, apart from its lens mount. The SL2 was ultimately a victim of economic reality. Although the official price of the SL2 camera body was approximately double that of the contemporary Nikon F2
Photomic (approximately $1600 vs. $830 in 1975), Leitz nevertheless lost money on each camera produced, due largely to the cost of producing the high specification shutter. Such losses were unsustainable given the financial crisis facing Leitz in the mid-1970s.
The Leicaflex SL2 was the last all-mechanical Leica reflex body for several years, before the advent of the R6. It was also the final Leica SLR to show no Minolta influence prior to the introduction of the Leica R8
in 1996. This and its relative rarity compared to the SL have driven the prices quite high. In terms of usability and price, the Leicaflex SL in good condition is likely to be the best compromise among this series of cameras for today's user.
SLR
The initialism SLR can refer to:* Satellite laser ranging* Scalable Linear Recording Tape Drive Backup* Self-Loading Rifle, see semi-automatic rifle.** The UK version of the Belgian FN FAL select fire battle rifle, the L1A1 SLR.* Semi-linear resolution...
made by Leitz from 1974 as the third iteration of the Leicaflex
Leicaflex
The Leicaflex was the first series of 35mm single-lens reflex cameras manufactured by Leitz. The Leicaflexes were fully mechanical cameras marketed between 1964 and 1976, in response to the rapid increase in popularity and usability of SLRs during this period...
series.
The modifications from the Leicaflex SL
Leicaflex SL
The Leicaflex SL was a SLR made by Leitz from 1968 to 1974 as the second iteration of the Leicaflex series.In 1968, Leitz responded to the critics of the non-TTL meter of the original Leicaflex by introducing its successor the Leicaflex SL with a TTL meter...
were relatively minor:
- addition of an aperture read-out in the finder
- viewfinder illumination, with an additional battery compartment at the front of the camera
- hot shoe
- more sensitive exposure meter
- modified mirror mechanism, to accept new wide-angle lenses that cannot be mounted on the previous bodies (16mm f/2.8 Fisheye Elmarit-R, 19mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R and 24mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R)
- minor cosmetic details, like the position of the battery tester
The Leicaflex SL2 was produced in chrome and in black chrome finish. 24,555 serial numbers were allotted for the SL2, but among them were some SL2 Mot. Some SL2s received special Leica 50 Jahre markings in 1975, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the first Leica.
Production of the SL2 ended in 1976, at which time it was replaced by the Leica R3
Leica R3
The Leica R3 was a 35mm SLR camera by Leica.Leica launched the Leica R3 in 1976. It was the successor of the Leicaflex SL2, and was developed in cooperation with Minolta, together with the Minolta XE bodies....
, a product of the cooperation agreement between Leitz and Minolta
Minolta
Minolta Co., Ltd. was a Japanese worldwide manufacturer of cameras, camera accessories, photocopiers, fax machines, and laser printers. Minolta was founded in Osaka, Japan, in 1928 as . It is perhaps best known for making the first integrated autofocus 35mm SLR camera system...
. The R3 offered an electronic shutter and exposure automation in a camera body which shared little in common with the Leicaflex models, apart from its lens mount. The SL2 was ultimately a victim of economic reality. Although the official price of the SL2 camera body was approximately double that of the contemporary Nikon F2
Nikon F2
The Nikon F2 is a professional level, interchangeable lens, 35 mm film, single-lens reflex camera. It was manufactured by the Japanese optics company Nippon Kogaku K. K. in Japan from September 1971 to June 1980...
Photomic (approximately $1600 vs. $830 in 1975), Leitz nevertheless lost money on each camera produced, due largely to the cost of producing the high specification shutter. Such losses were unsustainable given the financial crisis facing Leitz in the mid-1970s.
The Leicaflex SL2 was the last all-mechanical Leica reflex body for several years, before the advent of the R6. It was also the final Leica SLR to show no Minolta influence prior to the introduction of the Leica R8
Leica R8
The Leica R8 is a manual focus 35 mm single-lens reflex camera produced by the German firm of Leica as part of their R series of cameras. Development began in 1990:...
in 1996. This and its relative rarity compared to the SL have driven the prices quite high. In terms of usability and price, the Leicaflex SL in good condition is likely to be the best compromise among this series of cameras for today's user.
The Leicaflex SL2 Mot
As with the SL, a motorized version of the SL2 called Leicaflex SL2 Mot was made, only in black, with the provision to accept a motor drive, common with the SL Mot. 1,020 serial numbers were allotted to the SL2 Mot, plus some that were made in batches allotted to the SL2.External links
- A manual for the Leicaflex SL2 is downloadable (.pdf format) in the Leicaflex SL page at www.overgaard.dk Leicaflex SL and SL2 at Photoethnography by Karen Nakamura
- Leicaflex SL2 review at KB Camera History of the Leica SLR cameras in the Leica SLR website by Christoph Ozdoba List of Leica SLR serial numbers at Cameraquest Leicaflex SL2 at summilux.net Leicaflex SL2 Mot at R Leica Fan Club website