Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/12/22
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Hi, Lucien, and many thanks. Yes, the SL series was BEAUTIFUL....and I'm sorry to say that at least mechanically, the Leica R lenses have quite an edge over Nikkors (even my favorites, the late "F" non AIs from '66 thru '74 or so). My only bitch about the SLs was that IF you had shutter trouble or mirror-box problems, it was a write-off at worst, an EXTREMELY expensive repair at best. Call me simple- minded, but if things can be done equally well with half the parts, half is better! I'm so glad you noticed the quality of finish of the F-F2. It's >nearly< up to 60s Leica standards, MUCH better than today's finishes. Internally, the same applies.... As for the black ones, I prefer chrome---although I have a somewhat brassy black one, and used to really like the "rough & tumble journalist look"!! I guess I'm getting old, but I like the chrome Leicas better, too....I've gotten over the "black-paint envy". I also formed biases due to a couple years in a repair shop....The Nikons of the era were "built for servicing" -- as are the M-leicas, tho neither needs much repair.....they each have a few Achille's heels -- slow speeds and curtain brakes/sync on Leicas, and Finders/screens/advance-rewind clutch on Nikon Fs.....both easily correctible, tho..... And the biggie -- >WHEN< is Leica going to change to titanium curtains? A RFDR camera with cloth curtains is the dumbest thing I've ever seen.....I do hope, however, that Leica resists the temptation to go to a modular (vertical) shutter in the M7-M8 -- but it'll eventually come to that-just so they can advertise higher sync speeds-flash has become the standard detriment to journalistic photography! I realize that some folks are offended by this "Nikon" talk, but if they're REALLY interested in the finest cameras from the past, the SP, F-F2 simply MUST be handled and looked over, as you have obviously done....remember, the F-F2 and the SP were concurrent with the M-2-3-4-SL-SL/2, and the price differential was MUCH smaller then than now, particularly on the lenses, so there was a reason folks brought up on Leicas "strayed" from the marque..... I'd have to put the fit-finish-function of the late-SP-F-F2 solidly in-between "Leica then-and-Leica Now". However, if you want/need electronics in your camera (some DON'T!) -- the R-series is DEFINITELY my choice, by default. Todays competitors don't even come close to the quality of R. Today's students, even mine, can't imagine a non-metered camera, and the younger ones have never SEEN a non-AF 35mm camera! BTW, the price gap is narrowing between a clean SL/SL2/R-whatever and a minty Nikon >WITH< standard finder! Try to find one under $4-500!-- I have!-- and they're being hoarded like Ms were 15-20 years ago! History will sort it out. Best over-eating wishes to all, Walt