This camera is the only the second Leitz camera I have acquired (the Leitz Leica IIIa being the other) during the last six years I have been collecting. Five hundred plus cameras later and I am just as excited about the LiecaFlex as I was about the IIIa.
The LeicaFlex has great hand feel and is easy to use. When I received it, everything worked properly with the exception of the battery cover that was severely tilted and cross-threaded. I ended up having to drill the old cap out as it was not salvageable. The camera now has a Sugru battery cap that while ugly, is functional and will allow me to use the camera until a suitable replacement can be found or 3D-printed.
All actions on the SL are buttery-smooth and while quiet, there is no mistaking that the shutter has fired. It is a nice balance between industrial sounding SLRs and anemic leaf shutters that can be found on other cameras.
| Make | Leitz |
|---|---|
| Model | LeicaFlex SL |
| Year | 1968 |
| Format | 35mm |
| Shutter | focal plane |
| Speed | B, 1, 2, 4, 8, 15, 30, 60, 125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000 |
| Lens | Elmarit |
| f2.8 135mm | |
| Focus | 1.5m – ∞ |
| Aperture | f2.8 – 22 |
| Light Meter | Yes |
| Focus System | SLR |
Sample Images on OG FujiFilm Acros 100, stand-developed HC110 for 30 minutes. In general, I love the look of Acros and the LeicaFlex SL produces very nice images on it.
It has aged well- a little old fashioned (and costly) ‘in the day’ but now a respectable classic!