Playing with Loaner: The Leicaflex SL2.

 The Leicaflex SL2 was the last of the Leicaflex SLR line that Leitz introduced in the mid 1960s in a feeble attempt to catch up with Nikon, Canon, Minolta and Pentax at the time. By the time the mid 1970s rolled around, Leitz was in trouble financially the M5 rangefinder was not loved by loyal customers and the pro market pretty much dropped rangefinders for the Nikon F and F2, and the Canon F-1 platforms.  

Leitz in a hail mary attempt came out with the SL2 for the 1975 and 1976 model years, it was the best of the SL series of SLRs and it could take both two and three cam R mount Leica lenses. It also had a brilliant and bright viewfinder where you can see both the the shutter speed and aperture along with the match needle metering. The SL2 was built like a Mercedes 300 SEL sedan, to last and the Leica R glass was sublime. The camera was the pinnicle of German camera technology, and was a total sales failure as the SL2's MSRP was almost twice the Nikon F2 which was no slouch being the choice of just about every working photojournalist out there. 

As a camera, the SL2 is a dream to use, the film advance feels sublime, the shutter goes up to 1/2000 of a second and with a bright viewfinder with all that information. The R glass is well dampened and ergonomically you can just pick up the camera and go. The meter activates by pulling the film advance lever out a bit, just like the Nikon FM2. Every frame turned out great. 

So the big question is, "Do you want to buy a Leicaflex SL2 system?" Even used, these cameras are expensive, only 33 thousand were made over the short production run, my brother Alex who graciously let me try the camera out paid over $1100 CAD for his body. Two there less service techs at least in North America familier with the Leicaflex line so getting one serviced might get a little trickier here. There there's Leica R lenses, sublime glass and some focal lengths getting stupid expensive because because cinematogaphers are buying up all the really nice examples and rehouseing them. 

To boil down, if you want a higher end pro body SLR from the mid 1970s you are better off getting a Nikon F2SB with the DP-3 prism head which has the best metering, or an overhauled Canon F-1. Regardless which camera system you fall in, F2SB or Canon F-1 with say half dozen lenses of different focal lengths in either Pre Ai Nikkor or breach lock Canon FD mount, will leave with enough money left over for a decent European vacation, or one pro pack of Kodak Portra 400. 

All that said if you are looking at this from another angle you want to buy into Leica but prices for used M6 rangefinders are galloping ever higher and we'll leave the new re-released M6 off the table, a Leicaflex SL2  and four, maybe five 2 or 3 Cam Leica R lenses will get you a full kit ready to go and shoot (film sold separately). 

Would I get one? I had a chance 15 years ago when my brother Alex sold his Leica R fleet, and it was a lot more affordable relatively speaking, I didn't bite then, instead buying the Canon New F-1, Leica M4-2 and Mamiya C220F kit off instead. 

Camera: Leicaflex SL2, 50 F2 Summicron R Lens, 28 F2.8 Elmarit Lens. 

Film: Bergger Pancro 400