Leicaflex SL2

Infobox camera
camera_name = Leicaflex

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type = 35 mm SLR camera
lens_mount = Leica R bayonet
focus = manual
exposure = manual
flash = hot shoe
frame-rate =
dimensions = 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:
* 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. [http://www.cameraquest.com/rtype.htm List of serial numbers at Cameraquest] . 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.

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. [http://www.cameraquest.com/rtype.htm List of serial numbers at Cameraquest] .

External links

* A manual for the Leicaflex SL2 is downloadable (.pdf format) in the [http://www.overgaard.dk/leica/leica_leicaflex_SL.html Leicaflex SL page] at [http://www.overgaard.dk/ www.overgaard.dk]
* [http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?Leicaflex.html~mainFrame Leicaflex SL and SL2] at [http://www.photoethnography.com/ Photoethnography by Karen Nakamura]
* [http://www.kbcamera.com/leicaflexsl2.htm Leicaflex SL2] review at [http://www.kbcamera.com/ KB Camera]
* [http://www.ozdoba.net/leica/reflex_hist_e.html History of the Leica SLR cameras] in the [http://www.ozdoba.net/leica/leica_reflex_home_e.html Leica SLR website by Christoph Ozdoba]
* [http://www.cameraquest.com/rtype.htm List of Leica SLR serial numbers] at [http://www.cameraquest.com/ Cameraquest]
* [http://www.summilux.net/r_system/LeicaflexSL2.html Leicaflex SL2] at [http://www.summilux.net/ summilux.net]
*ja icon [http://rlfc.world.coocan.jp/PlaywBody/R_Body/SL2/sl2MOT.html Leicaflex SL2 Mot] at [http://homepage1.nifty.com/RLFC/ R Leica Fan Club website]