Leicaflex SL [MOT]

From the LEICA photography magazine (1968, No. 1):

In show business terms, the Leicaflex is "a hard act to follow." Its mechanical and optical sophistication, brilliant viewing screen, sensitive meter and array of lenses make it a difficult camera to improve on. Nevertheless, Leitz designers have come up with a talented newcomer that has just made its bow. It's the Leicaflex SL. And those who have seen its "act" are applauding loudly. It's certain to be a star!

News of the new model is sending a ripple of excitement through the camera world because the Leicaflex SL brings unsurpassed quality of design and function to the features that have made single-lens reflex photography so popular. Some of its new features are:

Through-lens metering with selective light measurement (about 1/6th of the format diagonal).

Improved focusing screen: tiny microprisms provide extremely brilliant, focusable image across the entire screen area with all focal length lenses to 560mm and even longer.

Improved loading ease: the film leader slips easily into any of several slots in the take-up spool, the camera back locks closed with a single squeeze.

Improved legibility of shutter and film speed dials through use of white numbers on black dials.

The Leicaflex first brought new standards of precision to single-lens-reflex photography in 1965, and introduced the unusually high top shutter speed of 1/2000th second, with electronic flash synchronization to 1/100th second. Its viewfinder was the most brilliant of any single-lens reflex camera, each of its array of lenses was unsurpassed in optical excellence. How, then, could it be improved?

metering system

The most apparent difference between the Leicaflex and the new Leicaflex SL is in the light-metering system. The SL has a through-lens system with remarkable characteristics. At its heart is a double CdS cell, mounted on the inside of the bottom of the camera. Its acceptance angle is about 1/6th of the format diagonal; the central focusing circle in the viewing screen, 7mm in diameter, defines the measuring field.

A supplementary mirror, hinged to the back of the viewing system's main instant-return mirror, reflects light coming through the lens, corresponding to the central focusing spot only.

This highly selective system permits you to choose the most significant picture areas for metering, minimizing or eliminating entirely the influence of light from unimportant areas. Scenes with contrasty lighting, back-lit photos, spotlighted subjects - all can be correctly exposed readily with this selective metering system. The exact metering angle varies with the focal length of the lens in use - from about 15° with a 21mm Super-Angulon-R to only 1° with the 400mm Telyt - even less with the 560mm Telyt.

In low existing-Iight situations, the meter reads exposures for illumination so dim that it requires four seconds at f/8 with 100 ASA film.

As in the original Leicaflex, the exposure control of the SL is semi-automatic, with a follow-pointer system coupled to the shutter speed dial and aperture control of all lenses and the film speed setting. Film speeds from 8-6400 ASA can be set for the system.

viewing screen

A second major change is in the viewing system of the Leicaflex SL, whose unique design provides the same relative screen brightness with lenses of all focal lengths used on the camera. What's more, there's no vignetting with lenses from 21 - 560mm and even longer. The central focusing spot of the viewing screen (which, as mentioned, also defines the light-measuring area of the meter) is made up of relatively coarse (.09mm base) microprisms. These give an image which snaps decisively in an out of sharpness for quick, easy focusing. The remainder of the screen contains thousands of tiny microprisms with bases of only .04mm. These provide an image which is not only brilliant, but whose focus in all image planes also can be evaluated over the entire screen area.

The brilliance and unique microprism construction of the Leicaflex SL's focusing screen make interchangeable screens unnecessary. As a result, its fixed screen has the most precise tolerances for corner-to-corner accuracy of focus of any SLR. The location of the Leicaflex SL's screen is held within a fantastic .02mm limit. This compares to .04mm for the smallest achievable tolerance for removable screens and the relatively gross .10mm tolerance of most other SLRs. Note that the tolerance in the Leicaflex SL is from two to five times as strict as that of other single-lens reflex cameras. The image, of course, is upright and correct in its left-to-right orientation. The design of the new screen makes it usable with lenses from extreme wide-angle to long telephotos.

The large, square eyepiece of the finder provides a full screen view, even to eyeglass wearers, and can be fitted with diopter correction lenses for those who need sight correction but prefer to use the camera without wearing eyeglasses.

depth-of-field preview

Since focus is visible everywhere on the screen, a depth-of-field preview button has been added to the front of the Leicaflex SL. Pressed, it closes down the lens to its working aperture to provide approximation of the front-to-back sharpness of the final picture as well as a pictorial evaluation of the image at that aperture. The actual depth-of-field of the finished print or slide, of course, depends on many factors including final image size and viewing distance, among others.

high speed film loading

To load the Leicaflex SL, the film end is slid into one of the take-up spool slots and the camera back snapped shut. The film is then ready to be advanced to the first exposure. The camera back locks automatically as it is closed.

many lenses

Interchangeable, automatic-aperture lenses of six focal lengths are either already available or will shortly become available for the Leicaflex SL. These are coupled to the camera's built-in, through-lens meter. They are the 21mm Super-Angulon-R f/4, the 35mm Elmarit-R f/2.8. the 50mm Summicron-R f/2, the 90mm Elmarit-R f/2.8. the 135mm Elmarit-R f/2.8 and the 180mm Emarit-R f/2.8.

These lenses, although designed for the Leicaflex SL, can also be used on the original Leicaflex. Lenses for the original Leicaflex (except the 21mm Super-Angulon f/3.4) can also be used on the new camera, but their single cam couples only to the auto-diaphragm and not to the through-lens meter system of the SL. Coupling to the meter is by means of a second cam which is on the lenses for the SL but not those for the original Leicaflex. Owners of earlier Leicaflex lenses can have them converted for automatic operation on the SL by E. Leitz, Inc. for a very nominal cost.

When lenses for the Leicaflex with external metering are used "as is" on the new camera, the depth-of- field preview button must be depressed with the aperture ring adjusted to the selected stop. While the button is held down, the shutter speed knob is adjusted to align the meter's follow-pointer. To maintain a preselected shutter speed, while the preview button is held down, the aperture ring is turned to actuate the meter needle until it aligns with the follow pointer.

All lenses for the Visoflex can also be used on the Leicaflex SL by means of Adapter Ring 14,127 which has an asterisk after the number. With lenses for the Visoflex I, Adapter 16,466 must also be used.

Rangefinder-coupled Leica lenses, designed for use on relatively shallow Leica bodies do not focus to infinity on the Leicaflex but can be used on the reflex camera with Adapter 14,127 for extreme close-up photography. The Televit Rapid Focusing Mount can be used on the Leicaflex SL with the 400mm Telyt and 560mm Telyt f/4.6 lenses and the optical unit of the 280mm Telyt f/4.8 lens.

Among accessories and auxiliary Leicaflex equipment planned for the future is a focusing bellows for use with a special 100mm Macro-Elmar f/4 lens, focusing from infinity to 1:1. The previously mentioned 21mm Super-Angulon-R f/4 which can be used for both viewing and metering through the lens, will be introduced in October. The 50mm, 90mm, 135mm and 180mm "R" lenses will also be usable on the Leicaflex bellows. A special motorized Leicaflex SL camera is also planned for the future.

Initial, limited deliveries of the Leicaflex SL will begin in June. The Leicaflex SL, with 50mm Summicron-R f/2 lens (Catalog No. 10,228) will cost $639.00.

From the LEICA photography magazine (1968, No. 2):

Announced earlier this year for a Photokina debut, the motorized Leicaflex SL was acclaimed, especially by professionals, at the recent photo exposition in Cologne. The Leicaflex SL MOT, as the new camera is called, is a special model designed for motorized operation. The battery-powered motor permits shooting at rates higher than three frames per second - and at all speeds from 1 second to 1/2000.

Power for the motor is supplied by a clip-on magazine with 10 "AA" cells, which will expose about 50 rolls of 36-exposure film before exhaustion. Spare magazines can be carried to permit a quick change of batteries in the field. For special circumstances such as cold-weather operation, a separate battery case holding 10 "D" cells can be connected to the motor.

The Leicaflex SL MOT is virtually the same camera as the SL with the addition of electrical and mechanical coupling elements in the base to make motorization possible. The camera can, of course, also be used without the motor for conventional photography. A switch on the side selects one of two operation methods: manual or motorized.

A frame counter on the back of the motor can be set for either 20 or 36 exposures and automatically cuts out the motor action at the end of the run. Re mote control is also possible.

Size of the new motor alone is 6 x 3 7/8 x 2 inches; camera and motor together weight 3 3/4 lbs. The price of the Leicaflex SL MOT with 50mm Summicron-R f/2 lens and motor drive is $1,365.00. As separate units the prices are as follows: Leicaflex SL MOT (Catalog No. 10,013) $570.00, Motor (Catalog No. 14,077) $621.00, and the 50mm Summicron-R f/2 lens (Catalog No. 11,228) $174.00.

Introducing the most foolproof, versatile, precise camera ever made. The new Leicaflex SL. And we challenge any camera, anywhere, to say this.

Let's face it. Everyone, including our competition, knows that Leica makes the best-built, most versatile cameras. Chances are our challenge will go unanswered, because no one camera, including the one you now own, has all 27 features of the new Leicaflex SL.

1. The ultimate through-the-lens light metering system: the Selective Light method. The sensitive double-cell CdS exposure meter, cross-coupled to film speed, shutter speed and lens diaphragm, combines the best features of incident light metering and spot metering, without the drawbacks of either.

2. The brightest viewfinder image of any single-lens-reflex camera. An absolutely brilliant image that lets you see more clearly what you're shooting, even in dim light. Edge-to-edge microprisms are the secret.

3. Depth-of-field preview button.

4. Full line of interchangeable lenses.

5. Unsurpassed lens quality. Finer than any other lenses manufactured anywhere in the world.

6. Full field focusing. Large microprisms in the central rangefinder screen scatter incident rays when subject is not in perfect focus. Outside this circle, the screen has finely ground microprisms and can be used to check focus over the entire picture area.

7. 1/2000 shutter speed. Only the Leicaflex has it.

8. Unmatched precision. Everything fits - precisely. Leitz is world-famous for the most exacting tolerances in the industry, a reflection of over 100 years of making microscopes.

9. Most rugged single-lens-reflex camera made. It's built in the Leica tradition.

10. Most silent single-lens-reflex camera made. The Leicaflex SL is whisper-quiet. All controls are silky-smooth.

11. Built to last a lifetime and to function under most extreme conditions.

12. Electronic flash synchronization up to 1/100 of a second.

13. Bright full image area with focal lengths from 21mm through 560mm lenses.

14. Shutter speeds can be set between click-stops.

15. Easy lens changing. Lenses cimply click on.

16. Automatic resetting counter - counts backwards when rewinding.

17. ASA speeds 8 to 6400, coupled to meter.

18. Micrometer-smooth focusing mount - for needle-sharp focusing.

19. Unique take-up spool insures rapid, almost automatic loading.

20. Instant-close back.

21. Quiet instant-return mirror comes to a soft bang-free stop, eliminating vibration during exposure.

22. Dust- and moisture-free sealed prism.

23. 10-second self-timer.

24. Film-type reminder dial.

25. Battery condition check.

26. Viewfinder shows shutter speed.

27. Viewfinder also shows correct exposure.

This is the camera which brought Leica precision and the famous "Leica feel" to SLR photography. Wide-open thru-the-Iens metering measures a central, circular area equal to one-sixth the acceptance angle of any lens attached to the camera. The area measured is sufficiently large to integrate tvpical scene brightness yet selective enough for accurate spot readings. ASA settings range from 8 to 6400. Through the use of a secondary mirror behind the reflex mirror a light beam is directed to the photo cell on the inside bottom of the camera. This is a highly precise yet simple system measuring the exact amount of light transmitted to the film plane. Meter operation is accurate to minus 5° F.

The meter needle and shutter speed are displayed in the viewfinder which shows an evenly bright, full image area. This area is 23mm by 35mm which corresponds to the size of commercially produced cardboard slides. The viewing screen consists of extra fine microprisms and focusing is possible throughout its entire area. A central focusing spot of relatively coarse microprisms gives an image which snaps in and out of sharpness for rapid focusing. A major feature of the SL is the exceptional brightness of the viewfinder which additionally adds to its focusing accuracy. Viewfinder magnification with the 50mm lens is 0.9. A plain ground glass version is available which is especially valuable for close-up and telephotography.

Shutter speeds range from 1/2000 sec. to 1 sec. and Bulb. Intermediate speeds are permitted throughout the entire range except from 1/60 to 1/30 second and from 1/8 to 1/4 second. A 9-millisecond shutter travel speed permits electronic flash synchronization at 1/100 second. Unlike most SLR cameras,in which the mirror is stopped by striking a strip of foam material cemented to the camera housing, the Leicaflex SL mirror is intercepted part way up by a lever which brings the mirror to a gentle stop, just prior to the shutter release. This effectively eliminates mirror-caused vibration. A true rapid-loading system for use with tongued or untongued (bulk-loaded) films is virtually fool-proof.

FEATURES:

• Selective thru-the-Iens metering
• Full range of lenses from 21 mm to 800mm
• Vibrationless gear dampened instant return mirror
• Depth of field preview button
• Extremely bright viewfinder
• Simple, fool-proof rapid film loading
• X-synchronization at 1/100 second
• Remarkably Quiet for an SLR design
• Shutter speeds up to 1/2000 second
• Free choice of shutter speed / lens stop combinations
• Self-timer (exception: SL MOT)
• ASA speeds from 8 to 6400
• Leicaflex SL MOT for motorized operation

Single-lens-reflex camera with selective through-the-lens light metering. Focusing screen with finest-ground micro-prisms for the assessment of sharpness throughout the entire viewfinder field. Central measuring field with 4-sided micro-prisms for positive focusing.

Bayonet mount for rapid lens change.

Focal-plane shutter 1 to 1/2000 sec. and B.

Electronic flash up to 1/100 sec.

Automatic frame counter. Rapid film change.

Serial No. from 1173005.

The Leicaflex SL is the new model that incorporates through-the-lens light measurement, full field focusing, depth-of-field preview button and rapid almost automatic film loading. The Leicaflex SL can not be motorized. However late in 1968 the Leicaflex SL/MOT, a motorized version, will be available.

• 1/2000 of a second shutter speed;
• Electronic flash synchronization up to 1/100 of a second;
• Automatic resetting counter - counts backwards when rewinding;
• ASA speeds 8 - 6400 coupled to the meter.

LEICAFLEX SL MOT - as LEICAFLEX SL, but without self-timer, with electrical and mechanical connections for the LEICAFLEX motor.

Full groundglass screen in the viewfinder. Protective baseplate.

Camera and motor black finish.

Single-lens-reflex camera with pentaprism. Hinged back. Eyelets for carrying strap on both sides. Chromium plated camera top and baseplate. 1/4" tripod thread.

Finely ground microprisms ensure very bright viewfinder image. Sharpness assessement across the entire viewfinder field. Depth-of-fleld button. Central microprism measuring fleld for positive focusing.

Selective light metering through the lens at full aperture. Built-in CdS exposure meter, which can be switched off. Measuring- and follow pointer visible in the viewfinder. Aperture, shutter speed, and film speed selector coupled from 10-39 DIN (8-6,400 ASA). PX 625 Mallory battery with white or green ring (replacements from Messrs. Mallory).

Rapid bayonet changer for the lenses.

Click-stop shutter speed dial, the shutter speed set on the dial is visible on a scale in the viewfinder.

Battery test.

Focal plane shutter, speeds 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, (1/100), 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000 sec and time exposures of any duration.

Automatic flash synchronization for flashbulbs up to 1/250 sec. for electronic flash units up to 1/100sec.

Separate standard contacts for flashbulbs and electronic flash units.

Adjustable self-timer.

Rapid winding lever with double exposure lock for shutter wind and film transport.

Folding rewind crank.

Rapid film change for all commercially available 35mm films.

Automatic frame counter.

Self-locking camera back.

Film indicator.

Shoe for special viewfinders and other accessories.

Carrying strap with non-slip pad.

Presentation case on request.

Dimensions: Height 96mm (3.8in), length 149mm (5.9in), depth 57.5mm (2.26in).

After just three years and less than 40,000 examples made, the Leicaflex, Leica's first SLR was pensioned off and replaced by a similar but more modem model, equipped - a first for a Leica - with an internal TTL meter.

The new camera was called Leicaflex SL and entered production in 1968, an evocative year for all the changes it brought. Actually, the Leicaflex had nothing revolutionary about it and was in fact a forced adaptation to the 1965-1968 trend of new TTL single lens reflex cameras, offered by German and Japanese manufacturers, such as the Topcon RE, the Spotmatic, the Nikkormat FTn the Nikon Photomic T and TN, the Minolta SRT, the Praktica Mat and the Contarex S.

An untraditional Leica

The Leicaflex SL is almost identical - mechanically and in its outer appearance - to the "old" Leicaflex, and also maintains all the main controls, differing only to a few modifications in the camera body. As in the externally metered Leicaflex, the Leicaflex SL has a short film wind lever placed co-axially to the shutter release and shutter speed selector, a frame counter under a round window, a film rewind lever crank placed co-axially to the DIN ASA selector 10 to 34 and 8 to 6400) a fixed pentaprism viewfinder with hotshoe contact on top and a cloth focal plane shutter with a speed range of Is to 1/2000s plus B setting and 1/100s flash synch.

As in the externally metered Leicaflex, the Leicaflex SL has a mechanical self timer operated by a lever on the right hand side of the camera body and a lens release button on the same side, as well as two separate synch sockets on the opposite side. The Leicaflex SL does not have the option of locking the mirror in the up position, which the old model had, and the manual control for the mirror is replaced by a manual stop down control placed next to the self timer. Another difference is that the batteries are now placed in the base plate, while the front of the pentaprism, without the round lid and its characteristic "eye", now has a leather covered plate with SL written on it. The battery check button is at the left of the pentaprism cover.

The Leicaflex's viewfinder is clear with its 7mm diameter - the same as the area covered by the light meter - microprism rangefinder.

Light metering is selective as preferred by the more expert photographers and two needles appear in the viewfinder, the first connected to the meter, the other to the shutter speed selector. At the bottom, outside the field of view, is the entire speed range with an indicator signalling the selected speed.

Large and clear, the Leicaflex's viewfinder offers all the necessary indications, except for the selected aperture, though it has to be said that very few cameras at the time offered this indication, which many considered useless.

Two-cam lenses

In order to work with the aperture simulator of the Leicaflex SL, the lenses were modified with the addition of a second coupling cam. These so called "two cam" lenses were offered with the Leicaflex SL for the entire life of the model, from 1968 to 1976, and were later replaced by the three cam lenses of the electronic and automatic Leica R3.

When it was introduced in 1968, the Leicaflex was offered with a range of six fully automatic aperture lenses, the Summicron 50mm f/2.0, the retrofocus Super Angulon R 21mm f/4.0 and the four Elmarit R lenses, the 35mm f/2.8 wide-angle and the 90mm f/2.8, 135mm f/2.8 and 180mm f/2.8 telephotos.

At the end of the Leicaflex SL and SL2, the Leica R lens production was further diversified and became totally incompatible with the older models.

Leicaflex SL Mot

Next to the Leicaflex SL, less than 1,000 examples of the Leicaflex SL Mot were also made. This camera was supplied ready for coupling to the Leicaflex Motor motorwind and was characterised by a black galvanised finish and the absence of the self timer lever. In the early seventies motorised cameras were relatively novel and standard production bodies were still not considered necessary. Leica had only just introduced the Leica M4 Mot or Leica M4M, also supplied ready for a motor wind and finished in black.

The Leicaflex SL motor wind was made by German company Balda to Leitz specifications. Tall, sturdy and heavy, the Leicaflex motor wind is powered by 10 AA 1.5 Volt batteries and has a built in, quick release battery container. With settings for single shots, fast continuous shots up to three fps and rewind, the Leicaflex SL motor wind has a selector at the back and a large chrome shutter release button at the front. Also at the rear are a separate frame counter and a remote control socket.

The motor wind coupled directly to the base plate of the camera and follows the body's contours, ensuring a good grip. The motor wind can also be equipped with a separate anatomic grip at the front. The fact that a motor wind was still considered a specialist accessory, also brought on the production of a special accessory, called the Tandem, which allowed the combined used of two motorised Leicaflex cameras. The tandem was coupled to the motorwind with a special mount.

Production and series numbers

Leicaflex SL production started in 1968 with serial number 1173001 and carried on until 1974 with serial number 1375000. Less than 70,000 Leicaflex SL's were made in all, most of which finished in satin chrome. Very few Leicaflex SL's are finished in black enamel.

According to official Leitz spreadsheets, Leicaflex SL production overlapped that of the last externally metered Leicaflex in 1967- 68, while production of the Leicaflex SL Mot only started in 1972 with series number 1336991. Apart from some small initial batches, seven batches of 10,000 examples each were made between 1968 and 1973 of the Leicaflex SL and the less common Leicaflex SL Mot.

The first Leica SLR camera with TTL metering. Lenses for the LEICAFLEX SL had two cams: one for automatic diaphragm coupling, and another one for full-aperture metering.

According to the "Leitz/Leica Photographic Equipment Catalog 45" (effective January 1, 1972), the SL/MOT body does not have a self-timer and camera bodies above number 1,275,360 do not have exposure meter battery disconnect switch on film advance lever.