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Specification

Manufacturer description #1

The Leicafiex SL 2 maintains the standard of excellence set by the famous Leicafiex SL and brings Leica precision and the famous "Leica feel" to SLR photography. Wide open, through-the-Iens metering measures a central, circular 7mm diameter area equal to one-sixth the acceptance angle of any lens attached to the camera. The area measured is sufficiently large to integrate typical scene brightness yet selective enough for accurate spot readings. ASA settings range from 8 to 6400.

The Leicafiex SL 2 meter features a greatly extended measuring range... 8 times as sensitive as the Leicafiex SL and equal to the Leica M5. The increased meter sensitivity is especially helpful in low light conditions or with long bellows extensions. 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, shutter speed, and lens opening are displayed in the viewfinder which shows an evenly bright, full image area. This area is 23mmx35mm 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 split image rangefinder wedge 3mm in diameter surrounded by a 7mm diameter circle of coarse microprisms provides easier focusing especially with wide angle lenses 16mm through 35mm.

With automatic diaphragm double cam Leicaflex lenses the aperture selected (f/1.4 to f-22) is shown ona scale next to the shutter speed scale. Meter needle visibility is greatly enhanced in poor light by pressing a button on the side of the pentaprism which silhouettes the needle against an illuminated panel.

A major feature of the Leicaflex SL 2 is the exceptional brightness of the viewfinder which additionally adds to it's focusing accuracy. Viewfinder magnification with the 50mm lens is 0.86. In addition to the microprism/split image viewfinder screen there are two other choices: a ground glass screen valuable for close-up and telephotography and a standard microprism screen without the split Image rangefinder wedge. Focusing screen preference should be stated when ordering the SL 2.

Shutter speeds range from 1/2000 second to 1 second and Bulb. Intermediate speeds are permitted throughout the entire range except from 1/60 second to 1/30 second and from 1/8 second to 1/4 second. A 9 millisecond shutter travel speed permits electronic flash synchronization at 1/100 second. The Leicaflex SL 2 is equipped with X and M synchronization contacts and also features an X synchronized hot shoe contact in the accessory shoe.

Unlike most SLR cameras, in which the mirror is stopped by striking a strip of foam material cemented to the camera housing, the Leicafiex SL 2 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. The Leicaflex SL 2 camera back is securely locked in the closed position by a safety catch. Opening the back is simplicity itself... release the safety catch, pull up the rewind crank, and the back opens. A true rapid-loading system for use with tongued or untongued (bulk-loaded) films is virtually fool proof.

Lens changing on the Leicaflex SL 2 is a rapid operation due to the bayonet lens mount design. The lens lock release button is located on the camera body where it can be comfortably operated with the left thumb. Rapid lens interchangeability is appreciated especially when photographing a constantly changing scene or event.

The Leicafiex SL 2 is the nucleus of a comprehensive photographic system built to traditional Leitz standards of uncompromising quality. For the photographer who demands the finest the Leicaflex SL 2 is the obvious choice.

FEATURES OF THE SL 2:

• Selective through-the-Iens metering; meter sensitivity equal to the Leica M5.
• ASA speeds from 8 to 6400.
• Apertures visible in viewfinder next to shutter speeds when double cam SL lenses are used.
• Illuminated panel increasing meter needle visibility in low light conditions.
• Choice of 3 viewfinder screens: split image/microprism, ground glass, or microprism.
• X-synchronization at 1/100 second; hot shoe outlet in accessory shoe.
• Secure camera back locking mechanism via safety catch.
• Black or satin chrome finish.
• Camera body shape fits in hand beautifully; three position film advance lever.
• Body mounted lens lock button easily operated with left thumb.
• Large shutter speed dial permitting speed change without removing eye from finder.
• Flattened eyepiece permitting excellent viewfinder visibility even for eyeglass wearers.
• Vibrationless gear dampened instant return mirror.
• Depth of field preview button.
• Simple, fool-proof, rapid film loading.
• Shutter speeds to 1/2000 second; shutter remarkably quiet for an SLR design.
• Free choice of shutter speed/aperture combinations.
• Self-timer with 5-10 second delay.
• Full range of lenses, 16mm through 800mm.
• Uses new Leitz lenses 16mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R, 24mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R, and 80mm-200mm f/4.5 Vario Elmar-R.
• Custom built feel that only a Leitz instrument has.

The Leicaflex SL 2 MOT incorporates most Leicaflex SL 2 features and is available for purposes requiring single exposures with automatic film transport and shutter wind, sequence photography, time lapse exposures and / or remote operation by cable, radio or other device. The Leicaflex SL 2 MOT is used with Leicaflex motor #14077.

The maximum exposure rate at continuous operation is 3-4 frames per second at appropriate shutter speeds. Film transport and shutter wind occur only at the completion of the exposure no matter what shutter speed is used. The motor, supplied separately, operates from 10 AA batteries or a rechargeable Ni Cad battery pack #98105. The battery pack is easily removed for cold weather operation when the battery should be kept warm while not in use.

The Leicaflex SL 2 MOT is also fully operable without the motor. Manual operation is identical to that of the Leicaflex SL 2, however the SL 2 MOT does not have a self-timer. The SL 2 MOT is supplied in black chrome finish only and is normally supplied with ground glass viewfinder screen.

For applications in sports, news, wildlife, fashion, scientific, sequence and time-lapse photography the motorized SL 2 MOT is ideal. The Leicaflex SL 2 MOT offers the complete versatility of the 35mm format and the traditional excellence of Leitz craftmanship in design and manufacture.

Manufacturer description #2

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

Finely-ground micro-prisms ensure very bright viewfinder Image. Sharpness assessment across the entire viewfinder field. Depth-of-fleld button. Central micro-prism ring with additional split-image rangefinder for positive focusing. Combined lens stop/shutter speed display in the viewfinder.

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. Illuminated measurement read-out for poor lighting conditions. Aperture, shutter speed, and film speed selector coupled from 10- 39 DIN (8-6,400 ASA) PX 625 Mallory battery (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 for 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 sychronlzatlon for flashbulbs up to 1/250 sec, for electronic flash units up to 1/100 sec.

Separate standard contacts for flashbulbs and electronic flash units. Accessory-shoe contact or contact in the flash unit holder, can be used simultaneously with the other flash contacts.

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.

Manufacturer description #3

As LEICAFLEX SL but with additional split-image rangefinder for positive focusing.

Combined shutter speed and lens stop indication in the viewfinder. Sensitivity of exposure meter increased by 3 steps. llluminated measuring read-out for poor lighting conditions. Additional accessory-shoe contact.

Serial No. from 1385001.

Manufacturer description #4

LEICAFLEX SL 2 MOT

As LEICAFLEX SL 2, but without self-timer, and with electrical and mechanical functions for the use of the LEICAFLEX motor.

Baseplate, camera, and motor in black finish. The camera can also be used without motor.

From the Classic Camera magazine (August 1999)

In practice, the Leicaflex SL, drawing from the experience of the "old" Leicaflex, proved to be a well designed and made camera, long lived with its high level technical solutions and a totally original styling, completely different to the rangefinder cameras.

In spite of all this, in an attempt to keep up with the new professional reflex cameras such as the Canon F1 and the Nikon F2, after six years' production, Leica decided to revamp the SL. In 1974, the Leicaflex SL was modified to an extent that - even though the styling was virtually unaltered - the new name of Leicaflex SL2 was deemed necessary.

The new Leicaflex SL2 presents a series of external modifications that make it immediately identifiable, such as the battery recess placed at the front, the swapping of the writing at the front, the safety catch for the camera back and a new lens release button. While on the Leicaflex SL, the "Leicaflex" brand is engraved at the right and the "Leitz Wetzlar" on the other side, the "Leicaflex" name is now engraved at the centre and the "SL2" script on the left hand side.

However, differences between the Leicaflex SL and SL2 are not limited to writing and battery positioning. The Leicaflex SL2 was equipped with a viewfinder light controlled by a switch on the right of the pentaprism, with a flash hotshoe, a new focusing screen with microprism and split image rangefinder and the indication of the aperture value in the viewfinder. Thus modified the Leicaflex SL2 seems ready for a long successful life, but its production run was abruptly stopped after just two years and little more than 20,000 examples.

SL2Mot

Those who expected a standard motorwind connection were to be disappointed because, continuing the rationale of the SL, a black Leicaflex SL2 Mot was presented with a motorwind power socket and minus the self timer. The Leicaflex SL2 Mot carried on with little imagination the aristocratic layout of the old Leicaflex SL Mot. At a time when the competition - as in the Nikon F2 and Topcon Super DM - were offering standard motor wind connections, Leitz continued to consider this option not important and continued to offer separate models, ultimately producing little more than 1,000 Leicaflex SL2 Mot cameras.

The Leicaflex SL2 Mot accepts the same motor wind as the Leicaflex SL Mot even though the motor wind's production run, which carried on until the end of the seventies, is characterised by a few modifications.

Production and serial numbers

Leicaflex SL2 production started with serial number 1369801 and finishes with n° 1446000, a production run of less than 20,000 examples. The Leicaflex SL2 was also characterised by a small initial batch and by two batches of 10,000 examples of the SL2 and SL2 Mot, made in 1974-75 and 1975-76. These were also followed by two small batches in 1976.

In 1976, Leica finally gave in to the lure of electronics and, following an agreement with Japanese company Minolta, started production of the Leica R3 equipped with an electronic metal curtain Leitz Copal shutter. This marked the end of the Leicaflex production and also marked the end of the Leicaflex name.

From the editor

A motorized version, SL2 MOT, became available in 1975. Only 1020 were made, all in black chrome.

Leicaflex SL2 [MOT] special editions (2)

• Leicaflex SL2 MOT "50th Anniversary" - 1975
• Leicaflex SL2 "50th Anniversary" (1750 units) - 1975