Leicaflex SL & SL2

The Leicaflex SL and SL2 represent the first mature expression of Leica's ambitions in the single-lens reflex market. Where the original Leicaflex Standard of 1964 had been a cautious debut — fine mechanically but limited by its stop-down-only metering — the SL arrived in 1968 with the open-aperture TTL metering system that made it genuinely competitive with the best SLRs of its era. The SL2 refined the formula further in 1974, and together they established the reputation for optical and mechanical quality that the entire R system would carry.

The Leicaflex SL (1968–1974)

The SL's most significant advance over the Standard was its open-aperture through-the-lens metering. Rather than requiring the photographer to manually stop the aperture down before reading the meter, the SL could meter with the lens wide open — giving a bright, easy-to-focus image — and automatically calculate the correct exposure for any aperture setting. This required new lenses carrying a second metering cam (2-cam lenses), which communicate aperture information directly to the meter.

The viewfinder of the SL is often cited as one of its greatest achievements. At 0.8× magnification with a large, bright ground glass, it remains among the most comfortable and informative finders of any SLR. The meter readout — a simple match-needle display in the finder — is legible, uncluttered, and instantly comprehensible.

The Leicaflex SL2 (1974–1976)

The SL2 is an evolution of the SL rather than a redesign. The core architecture — mechanical shutter, open-aperture metering, superb viewfinder — remains intact. What Leica improved was the metering sensitivity, the mirror damping system, and various small ergonomic details. The self-timer was revised, and a hot shoe was added in late production variants.

The mirror damping improvement in the SL2 is practically significant: reduced vibration at the moment of exposure benefits image sharpness at slow shutter speeds and when using longer lenses. Photographers who work methodically with a tripod particularly benefit from this refinement.

Lens Compatibility

The SL and SL2 accept all Leica R-mount lenses. With 1-cam lenses (pre-SL era), stop-down metering is required. With 2-cam and 3-cam lenses, full open-aperture metering is available. Many 1-cam lenses have since been converted to 3-cam by Leica service centres — always check the lens for a small "3" engraving near the mount before assuming cam count.

Buying Advice

The SL2 commands a meaningful premium over the SL — typically €600–1,000 for the SL in good condition, and €900–1,600 for a clean SL2. Both cameras require a battery only for the meter; the shutter fires fully mechanically without one. When buying, check the shutter at all speeds (including slow speeds), the meter response to light, and the viewfinder for fungus or haze. A CLA is advisable on any body not recently serviced.

• Battery: original PX625 mercury cell is no longer available; use a Wein MRB625 zinc-air replacement or adapted alkaline cell with voltage correction
• Seals: mirror and light seals may require replacement after 50+ years
• Viewfinder: the large ground glass is prone to fungus — inspect carefully before purchase

Shot on This Camera

The Tourists— Phil Roeder Shot with a Leicaflex SL  ·  Source: Wikimedia Commons