Leicaflex & Leicaflex SL Review - The Best Buy in Vintage Leica?

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3 ай бұрын

In this episode, Greg and I review the Leicaflex and Leicaflex SL, the first single-lens reflex cameras produced by Leitz between 1964 and 1974. The Leicaflex was late to the SLR game, quite expensive in comparison to Japanese competitors while offering less lenses and accessories - and not as advanced in terms of its features. At the time, the cameras turned out to be a commercial failure.
From today’s perspective, the limited features can be a deliberate choice and the cameras offer access to a fantastic set of Leica R lenses. They are also finished to the highest standards, quite durable and beautifully designed. The Leicaflex SL also offers selective metering and a wonderfully bright viewfinder. Prices are very low in comparison to the remaining Leica universe. So depending on your needs, the Leicaflex and Leicaflex SL might actually be worth a close look. I would even argue they are one of the best buys you can make these days and a true bargain in the Leica universe.
Please note that we reviewed the successor Leicaflex SL2 which was produced until 1976 a while back in case you are interested in that. The entire Leicaflex SL series was eventually replaced with the Leica R cameras that retained the R mount but were developed in cooperation with Minolta.
Greg and I took the cameras out in and around Würzburg on an overcast day shooting some Ilford HP5 pushed to ISO 800 and Ilford FP4 at box speed which we stand-developed in Rodinal. Let’s take a closer look at these two cameras, their features and our personal impressions.
Gear used:
Leicaflex & Leicaflex SL with
35mm f/2 Summicron-R
50mm f/2 Summicron-R
90mm f/2 Summicron-R
Films used:
Ilford FP4
Ilford HP5
If you enjoy our videos and like to follow us on Instagram, find us here: / analog_insights

Пікірлер: 51

@randyshanofsky9903 3 ай бұрын

Your episodes are consistently well thought out and photographed to the point that I often consider buying a camera (that I don't really need, I have an MP and a IIIC) based on your enthusiastic and stylish review. If I were to add an SLR to my collection, this would be it. Also, you always incorporate great musical choices in your videos too!

@AnalogInsights 3 ай бұрын

Thank you so much. That’s very kind of you. 🙏🏻

@grahambell1959 3 ай бұрын

Great review. The early Leicaflexes were engineered to the highest standards and are an absolute pleasure to use. Not surprised you enjoyed shooting them.

@WayneKnight_Rider 3 ай бұрын

The Max and Greg combo is probably my favorite. Another fantastic video.

@SimonLeung-1970 2 ай бұрын

My 1969 chrome Leicaflex SL with the Elmarit-R 35mm f2.8 complete with filter adaptor and lens hood, has been my everyday camera for the past 35 years.

@richardsimms251 3 ай бұрын

Wonderful video. I have several M Leicas but have never had an opportunity to obtain the cameras you have demonstrated. Thank you very much. RS. Canada

@anthonymiller8979 3 ай бұрын

My Leicaflex (Mark II) is one of my favorite cameras. Mine still has a working meter and the brightest viewfinder of any camera I have tried. I have the 50mm Summicron and the 90mm. I don't shoot much film anymore, but it is a camera I just cannot part with.

@user-ve3gh5xg9q 3 ай бұрын

Fantastic channel & analog passion 👏

@Hektormydog 3 ай бұрын

Having gotten into 35mm photography with the M-series and loving the built quality and lenses. With the need for an SLR I bought a new Leicaflex SL2 (could only afford it because of a 50% discount Leitz gave me). Had a couple used black paint Leicaflex SL also and some great lenses (that 400mm for sports was amazing). Not many Leicaflex users in the Nikon crowd around me, but they always wanted to have a look at them, and as we used to say, ‘you got a Leicaflex so you could put the lenses on them.’ Years later at a low price I picked up an original black paint Leicaflex if just because it was so beautiful (I’d sold SL/SL2 by this time). It satisfied the collector in me, also came with an early rare chrome 35mm Elmarit. Although the SL/SL2 were the better cameras in use, that original Leicaflex is special. I think of it as an M3 SLR; classic Leica built quality, an ‘attached’ MR meter on top ;-), and super bright finder with a center focus just like an M3 with a RF patch. Ah yes, the lenses… a few of my favorites; the v1 35mm Summicron (yes large but the images it makes are magic), the 65mm macro-Elmar (the original in chrome just looks so beautiful, compact and light), and the 90mm Elmarit (very sharp, and the ELPRO close-up lenses give it another view). One thing not mentioned with the SL is that the shutter is very quick reaction with the release (faster than other SLRs of the time), and is mechanically dampened and very soft, smooth, with a pleasing quiet satisfying sound (for an SLR).

@barthonhoff5547 3 ай бұрын

I am happy I got a Leicaflex, Leicaflex SL and Leicaflex SL2 before your video came out. Prices will probably go up now. A year ago I got a black Leicaflex Sl with a 2.8 180mm lens for 200euro. Still impressed by the quality. Much better quality than the later R cameras.

@kronkite1530 3 ай бұрын

I’ve owned three SLs and they had the best build I’ve ever felt - on par with the Alpa 10D - and the best, widest, brightest viewfinder ever! Better than my OM1 and 2s, Pentax MX and LX, Nikon F3 and F5. All owned. The closest to a ground glass screen on a view camera.

@lensman5762 3 ай бұрын

Very interesting video and information. I was about to pay for a Leica R6.2 a few days ago but a look at the asking prices of the R lenses put me off for good. They have more than doubled in the past 18 months. I guess I have to stick to my Leica Ms and Nikon F3 & F4s . Thank you.

@timothyplatt6053 3 ай бұрын

I wish more companies made camera this good. Love my SL.

@the_achromatist 3 ай бұрын

Currently have a bunch of Leicaflex SLs in the collection (a few silver chrome, black chrome and an uncommon black paint). Between these and a handful I've helped sell for people, none of them were out of spec when put on the shutter testers. Only have that consistently happen with the Canon F1 (old version) as well. Shutter speeds still being within specification after all these years, is a true testament to the quality of these. While there's obviously lighter and more comfortable cameras out there, these Leicaflexes are definitely worth trying out. Still hope to find an original Leicaflex at some point (dream is obviously the black paint) and some of the chrome lenses you mentioned. I currently have most Leica R lenses I'd ever want (from the 19mm al the way up to 180mm). Only one being the Safari Summilux-R 50mm f1.4 with the R3. The chrome Leicaflex lenses are definitely high up on the list but I've only come across them once. There was a chrome 50mm f2 summicron and chrome 35mm f2.8 elmarit (obviously even rarer than the 50mm)

@throtol 2 ай бұрын

I had picked up a few Leica R lenses to be used on my Fujifilm X-E3 camera. The German and Canadian R lenses are fantastic. However, the Minolta Japanese versions are optically great, but mechanically good, not great. In any case, I picked up a Leicaflex camera inexpensively and truly enjoyed it. Please be aware that not all later version Leica R lenses will work on the Leicaflex due to the placement of the battery which limits the size of the lenses that may be added. I really enjoyed your video.

@ReFreshed66 3 ай бұрын

Another beautifully presented review of an overlooked camera series. Bravo! Across the internet, positive statements about the original Leicaflex series are hard to find. In my opinion, the camera exudes confidence and because they're uncommon, makes me feel special owning it. Although not as well built, one camera I have that matches it, optically, is the original Made in Germany, Rolleiflex SL35/SL350. It's another camera that gets very little internet reviewer love, but the Carl Zeiss lenses are affordable and superb. I'm hoping there's a chance of sourcing an SL35 for Analog Insights sometime soon.

@Bunnyisms 3 ай бұрын

My grandfather also had the Leica screw mount and M series, but he favored the Leicaflex SL and Leica R series. That's what I remember him using the most. He tended to have the Leicaflex SL or Leica R6 with him most of the time I saw him. Occasionally he'd have his M and on special situations he would have the screw mount, but that was a lot less common. The one who could really get great photos out of the Leicaflex and R6 though was my grandmother Interestingly enough, I don't actually have any Leica bodies or glass. I've never personally owned or used any. Not yet anyway

@AnalogInsights 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing this story. So interesting. I can relate to the effect of my intuitive day to day camera choices giving away my true underlying preferences versus what I also like or would recommend to a friend when asked about it. I feel like there are multiple layers to look at here.

@tylerfukuda 3 ай бұрын

These are great, heavy but great. The biggest issue with these are silver separation in the prism, and it’s very difficult to find a replacement that doesn’t require a donor camera. I spoke with one of the few leica trainer repair persons and they said to stay away from these 😂 I think for the price, Nikon F3 is pound for pound the best DSLR ever made. Glass is also still relatively cheap

@joerg_koeln 3 ай бұрын

I owned a Leicaflex SL but replaced it with a SL 2 - the built-in focusing screen was not my piece of cake... Besides that they all have a marvelous build quality. Their successors R3 etc. are not bad, but you'll feel the difference.

@Fat-totoro-cat 3 ай бұрын

As usual, a great video! Let me give my 2cents worth as a collector of 35mm cameras and lenses - while they are not as overpriced as the Lecia m mount lenses, the R mount lenses are still overpriced IMHO - I have the R7 and 50mm F2, and that lens is nothing special or magical compared to most of the other 50mm F1.8-2 lenses I have used from Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Minolta or Pentax. The Carl Zeiss 50mm F1.4 in Contax mount is 1/2 the price, and I'm not seeing that price differential represented in the optical performance or build quality. So yes you can get into owning a 'real Leica' with some of the R bodies, but you then are paying double (or much much more) for lenses. Are they worth that? Not so sure. btw, thanks for clarifying the reason the 'ROM' lenses are so expensive :)

@antothemanto77 3 ай бұрын

Been wanting a Leicaflex SL or SL2 for about 4 years now. Might have to pull the trigger soon!

@martincebrero2288 3 ай бұрын

Excellent...!! I have both! With a Sumicron 50mm f:2 and Elmarit 35mm f:2,8 Greetings from Buenos Aires 🇦🇷

@fistfulloflenses 2 ай бұрын

great review , love the leica cameras, looking forward to more

@AnalogInsights 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it.

@andreasdoker9549 3 ай бұрын

Thumbs up -wonderful video. I have used several different SLs, but mainly SL2s over the last years, but many arguments are valid for the SL as well. My experience is, they are really beautyful cameras to collect & to use, but don't think about them as cheap bargains, only because you can get a SL body for 150€ (if you look for one in nice cosmetic condition) If you take your pictures seriously and you want to rely on your equipment -for a holiday trip or a celebration event you can't repeat once more, you need to do a CLA to them first. Maybe you're lucky and find a body which is still acceptable on the shutter speed monitor, this is only a snapshot for the working condition at this moment in this cosy condition (roomtemperature etc.) Take into consideration that these 50y+ cameras needs grease, oil, they use springs and get sticky or wear out. There are not many experts any more who are able and like to do this CLA job. Aside of that they are running out of parts meanwhile. Its very satisfying to me to save such shelf queen and bring them back to work but add this costs right from the start to your purchase, not to mention that lenses of this age may need service as well. Nothing more disapointing to spend time and money into a film project and get bad results because of occasionally fails -due to a lack of mantenance, sticky shutter or incorrect light meter. These cameras are mechanically really complex and just to give you a hint: I spent for the CLA for my pristine SL2 more than 500€ last year and this was just labour work (in Germany). I looked for workshops for months and at the end decided to invest this amount into the camera and I plan to keep it running as long I can do. But nobody should be surprised. Good luck seaching a good one.

@marcp.1752 3 ай бұрын

Excellent Video, max. But one must admit, a Leica R Summicron 35/F2 is uber expensive, even nowadays. Same goes for all other Leica-R lenses. For that reason, i was drawn to Minolta. 🙂

@AnalogInsights 3 ай бұрын

Thanks for your comment. That’s not necessarily true for all Leica R lenses. A 50mm Summicron can be had for 350 Euro for instance. Many other lenses are also relatively accessible in comparison to Leica M lenses.

@boredgrass 3 ай бұрын

Another consideration in comparison with R3, R4, R5 and all other R models with electronic shutters: Like on all cameras the electronic shutters are aging and can fail simply for that reason! I had one fail on me 1991, and was told it was likely caused by that! The repair cost me 306 € in today's money! The seller, "Leica Meister" one of Germany's most prolific Leica dealers, didn't want to make the repair, because the repair was technically too demanding! So it was sent to Leica. The R6 has a mechanical shutter, but costs much more than a Leicaflex!

@michaelcase8574 3 ай бұрын

I have an SL with the 50mm f2 . I can't afford the 35vor 90mm so i have a 2x extend that gives me a 50 and 100mm. IlIt is a German made lens and not Canadian made, and is a 3 camvwhich also fits my R4s. Both a pleasure to use. Thanks fr your channel!

@na-xe7vd 3 ай бұрын

He also commented that the slightly louder shutter sound and mechanical feel of these cameras are very pleasant.

@cameraprepper7938 2 ай бұрын

I think That Leitz should have focused more on producing SLR Cameras earlier than they did and focused less on producing Leica M cameras, I also think that the Leicaflex, Leica SL and SL2 should have had cheaper siblings. I think it could have been a great deal breaker if in the 1970´s that Leitz could have had much more succes if they had made Leica R Lenses for other brands, at least they should have done it for Minolta !

@dansmouse7393 3 ай бұрын

My feelings for my SL are best expressed in that when I needed to make a decision between it and a Nikon F2, I chose the SL. It may be a tad heavy but the shooting experience is second to none when compared to the other bodies I currently own (Nikon F & FM), Olympus OM2, and Pentax Spotmatic. I currently have the 35mm and 90mm Elmarit lenses though I plan on adding the Elmar 180mm when I am able to.

@keldmikkelsen5246 3 ай бұрын

Thanks for reviewing these two great cameras! Many years ago I had a Leicaflex (the original from 1964/65), and I was particularly impressed by the bright and clear viewfinder. However, I don't recall that the viewfinder could only reproduce a sharp image in the centre of the viewfinder. I remember the viewfinder image as sharp from corner to corner.

@j.f.7509 3 ай бұрын

Nice review! Many years ago I had a Leicaflex SL, loved it and regretted selling it (that shutter sound!). Recently, I bought a Leicaflex SL2 50 Jahre ed. with a Macro-Elmarit 60mm, and I will keep this one! However, this combo is very heavy. My advice if one is looking for a Summicron 50mm: avoid the Canadian made ones, I returned two which both had Newton rings in the rear lens group (which is cemented) which affects image sharpness.

@leonardknaus7259 3 ай бұрын

They are beautifull, but the prisms often have a desilvering problem and lightmeters are rarely working or working good. So you should pay the premium for a good condition.

@blaketimr 3 ай бұрын

Excellent video, thank you very much.

@janjasiewicz9851 3 ай бұрын

Thanks - well done max..another enjoyable episode....

@AnalogInsights 3 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it, Jan. Thank you so much for your kind contribution. I really appreciate it.

@janjasiewicz9851 3 ай бұрын

@@AnalogInsights no problem....good work deserves support...

@Dahrenhorst 3 ай бұрын

I have a Leicaflex SL and a Leica R6. Both live on a shelf, since for the rare occasions I want to use a 35mm SLR, I rather pick my Olympus OM-1.

@wbhub 3 ай бұрын

They're great cameras, but my personal favorite Leica SLR is the R6.2

@robinj.9329 3 ай бұрын

Compared to what was build way back then, the ALL METAL beauty from the 60's,70's and 80's, todays plastic bodies full of electronics, I'd rather have the "Classic" or "Vintage" cameras 📷

@thomasthiele3948 3 ай бұрын

Hello, what kind of battery uses the meter? The no longer produced PX625 with all the problems to find a solution that lives 2 years and more like the original batteries? I hope they can use the todays version, because the SL metering seems to be perfect like the partial metering in the Canon F-1 (old), that also requires PX 625. Kind regards, Thomas

@tuisitala9068 23 күн бұрын

I struggle with focussing on my old Asahi Pentax K (1958). This just has a ground glass. How much easier is the focussing of the SL compared to the Standard please?

@monochromebluess 3 ай бұрын

Interesting review. Were the light meters accurate ? Often in these cameras they are being sold inoperative. What B & W film stock did you use ? Why was the reasoning for both shooting black and white ?

@AnalogInsights 3 ай бұрын

Yes, the light meters work perfectly fine on these two cameras. We chose to shoot only black and white that day because it was too dark and overcast for good color shots.

@piketubeman 3 ай бұрын

They told you what film they used

@monochromebluess 3 ай бұрын

Ah thank you for the film type reasoning.