Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/07/26
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Hello, The SL is the one that has made me happy with my prints every time for donkey's years. Even my poor diabetic eyesight has found no problem in focusing due to its brightest view (presumably the brightest viewfinder of all slr). I have several of them any one of which has never ever had any shutter problems like sluggish slow speeds etc. Just watch out for possible viewfinder degradation (brown spots). Regards, David Original Message: - ----------------- From: SthRosner@aol.com Date: Fri, 26 Jul 2002 09:14:54 EDT To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us Subject: Re: [Leica] R4S In a message dated 7/26/02 3:24:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time, allanwafkowski@mac.com writes: > Does anyone have any experience with the R4S? I have a change to get one > if I want it, but I know nothing about Leica SLRs. Is it worth going > back that far, or should my exploration be with a newer body? Hello Allan: Thirty years ago I was at the same crossroads; I'd used rangefinder Leicas since I borrowed my dad's IIIa and wanted to get into using long lenses and some macro . I considered and compared the Leicaflex and the ALPA, a jewel-like ultra high-precision Swiss SLR of which you may have heard. Since I already had a Visoflex that I used with my M4's, I put off deciding for several years until I broke down and bought a Leica R3MOT. It performed for me very well indeed although I somehow always seemed to hanker for the psychic security of an all-mechanical camera. My schtick. On a holiday visit to Australia seven years ago, while visiting a Leica shop, seeing what was available and appalled by the high prices, a salesman asked if I had anything I might want to leave with them on consignment. Left the R3MOT, sent them the packaging and brand new motor drive and handgrip and the sale netted me almost US$1,000. Bought an R6 which also performed exceptionally well. Most recently, impressed by Sherry Krauter's comment to me that the Leicaflex SL in her opinion is the SLR equivalent of the M3, indestructible, the best made of the Leica SLR's and one which will be serviceable into the indefinite future, and by the comment of the Birdman of Alcatraz, er, Sacramento, Doug Herr that he loves the brightness of the viewing system of the SL and SL2, I have bought both and sold the R6. The SL/SL2 are heavy and clunky, they do not have the latest electronic bells and whistles and are probably not for most pros other than the Birdman. But the SL can be found in excellent working condition for around $500. and the SL2 for twice that or less. They really are worth a look and you will have an instrument that you will hand down to your children who can use it, have it serviced and handed down to theirs. Seth LaK 9 - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html - -------------------------------------------------------------------- mail2web - Check your email from the web at http://mail2web.com/ . - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html