Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/06/02
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]On Fri, 02 June 2000, "William Gower" wrote: > > Regarding the SL: > > I've been pondering how to jump into Leica R for a while now. The used > market is the most cost-effective method, however, the main thing > discouraging me is the electronic shutters on the R series. And R3 and R4's > are getting to the 20 year old mark now. > > While I agree that Leica's are wonderfully overbuilt cameras, an electronic > shutter is still an electronic shutter, and eventually, they WILL die, parts > become unavailable, etc. Ok, sure ANY shutter will eventually fail, but most > likely someone, SOMEWHERE will be able to fix our mechanical shutters. Even > if they have to make the parts by hand. > > ...but the SL and SL2 suddenly appeals to my inherent love of mechanical > cameras. > > How "like a tank" is it ? My Nikon F and (even more so) my F2 (both with > standard non-metering prisms) are the most "tank like" cameras I've ever > hauled around. Wonderfully durable hand-built cameras, titanium shutters and > mirror assemblies, black enamel finish - love them or not, to disregard the > F and F2's legendary durability would be simply ignorant. > > Is the SL even more so ? I'd be curious to hear people's opinions who have > extensively used both. > > > Regards > > > William William, I used a pair of Nikon F bodies for 10 years before I made the jmp to Leicaflex in 1979. Aside from the @%&* resistor rings they never gave me any trouble related to normal use. The only trouble I've gotten from a used Leicaflex SL was a broken battery contact on a body that I bought as a beater. The one I bought new had some "new camera" bugs that had to be fixed. Other than this the SL's have been trouble-free, even when doused in rain, snow, or Deep Woods Off, dropped on to concrete, and generally given more abuse than I gave the Nikons. I dropped one F body once & cracked the main casting, fortunately it didn't compromise the light-tightness or structural integrity so I just kept using it. Of the SLs I've dropped, I got a dent once from a tree root (no functional problem) and some light scratches from the concrete. When this happens I just pick it up & keep working. The real difference between the SL and the F is sensory. After a few seconds with the SL in your hands, even a beat-up well-used sample, you will realize how crude the F is by comparison. Doug Herr Sacramento http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/telyt ___________________________________________________ The ALL NEW CS2000 from CompuServe Better! Faster! More Powerful! 250 FREE hours! Sign-on Now! http://www.compuserve.com/trycsrv/cs2000/webmail/