[Leica] R vs. Leicaflex and SL vs. SL2

["Patrick Sobalvarro" <pgs@sobalvarro.org>]

I've used R cameras (as well as an M2) for quite a few years and have found
myself more and more inclined to use SLs rather than Rs.  I sold my R4s a
few
years ago and recently sold my R6, and have kept only an R6.2 as my sole
"modern" camera.  I use my SL MOTs quite a bit with the motors, which are
not
such a bear if one uses the handgrip.  In fact I find that I can shoot more
reliably at slower speeds when I use the motor on the SL MOT -- the release
is
wonderfully smooth, unlike the release on the Motor Drive R4 and the Motor
Winder R4, both of which require too much pressure for my taste.  I guess
the
fact that the camera, grip and motor weigh about 50 pounds probably helps me
to hold it steady as well.

I got hooked on Leicaflexes a few years ago when I found an SL Olympic and
50/2 for sale for a shockingly low price.  I bought it more or less out of
curiosity, thinking I would sell it to a collector, and found I just
couldn't
stop using it.  It felt like my M2, whereas my R6.2, R4s, etc. just didn't.
I
like the R6.2 just fine, and it's very reliable, etc., but the SLs just feel
better when I use them.

I have an SL2 as well, and while I had once thought that this would be a
great
camera to use, based on all the reports, etc., I just don't like it as well
as
I like the SL.  One reason is the finder -- I'm not crazy about the split
image in the center (I use a gridded groundglass on my R6.2).  Also, I don't
need all the doodads, like the meter needle illumination, etc.  When the
light
is that low, I find it better to use a rangefinder.  It is nice to see the
shutter speed in the finder, but the SL2 just turns out to be less reliable
than the SL.  I have heard this from Reinhold Mueller and Sherry Kraeuter,
and
also from Ernst Hartmann, who was then head of service for Leica USA.

My SL2 went to Sherry Kraeuter (who I find does superb work) recently for an
overhaul for a few minor issues and one major one -- the 1/2000th was not
opening.  Sherry handled all the minor issues, but said that to fix the
1/2000th would require a shutter rebuild for another $350 or so, and she
thought it wasn't worth it.  This because she says it might fail at any time
after that -- she says that SL2s have always had this problem, and I have
also
heard complaints about the SL2 shutter from other top Leica people.  As of
now
she says that the 1/2000th will fire if the shutter is left uncocked until
just before use -- otherwise it will "hit through" (which presumably means
something to someone who knows the innards of an SL2 shutter).  The other
speeds use a different mechanism, so they're more reliable, but, heavens to
Betsy, I don't want to have to avoid the 1/2000th on my camera (nor do I
want
to pay $350 for a rebuild).  Anybody want to buy a recently-overhauled SL2
with a dodgy 1/2000th at a good price?  Black chrome; cosmetically pretty
nice.  I'll stick to my banged-up old SLs.

- -Patrick