Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/08/11
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]On Mon, 10 Aug 1998, Jim Cheatham wrote: >I am about to purchase a Leicaflex outfit (circa 1965). How difficult >is it to use? I understand (from the Matanle "Collecting & Using >Classic SLR's") that the focusing is difficult. How well does the light= >meter work on this non-TTL version? >I usually take landscapes, almost never "moving" objects. I do wear >glasses but don't when I'm "shooting". I seem to focus the M-3 fine. >Should I wait for an SL version? I like the manual focusing, etc. but >don't want to make a mistake. >Any words of advice would be appreciated - FAST. Thanks - Jim Cheatham Jim, For non-moving subjects I found the Leicaflex to be adequate. The centra= l part of the viewscreen is a very fine microprism area which is quite good= as a focussing aid. I'm accustomed to using the entire viewscreen so bei= ng limited to the central area was a bit bothersome to me. With time and practice I was eventually able to focus on birds with the 400 f/6.8 Telyt= but I wouldn't depend on being able to do this. The meter reads a field equivalent to a 90mm lens. Except for macro work= , I never had any problems using the Leicaflex meter. The Leicaflex has a real mirror lock-up, which the SL and many R-bodies lack. If you're going to use slow shutter speeds this may be an advantag= e. Summary: it's not the best for macro work or very long lenses. IMHO the = SL is a far more useful camera but if landscapes are what you're after the Leicaflex should work well. - -Doug