35mm Work Book

Leicaflex SL

This is a simple post centred on the Leicaflex SL. There are a couple of 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit images of the car and old pickup truck. The Summicron 50mm f/2.0 is also considered.

The camera was a very expensive camera in its day, it was made between 1974 and 1976. It is a basic, heavy and solid camera. Not too expensive to buy these days with a 50mm Summicron. But the increasing cost of Leicaflex lenses makes the system expensive if you desire a wide angle and semi-telephoto. And all of a sudden photographers are beginning to realise the SLR lenses are equal to the M and LTM siblings.

Some purists will argue the point, however, there are articles available on the internet where Leitz employees clearly state the Leicaflex lenses are equal to or surpass the M counterparts of the day. Of course the newer lenses will probably be slightly better, however, these lenses are simple brilliant. Sharpness will cut your fingers. Distortion is next to nowhere. Contrast is superlative.

This short article compliments the book 35mm Work Book. You will find an extensive essay about the Leicaflex SL and the Summicron. The essays are also insights into camera use, and composition. Anyone without prior knowledge of 35mm camera work will find the book a great introduction into the world of 35mm photography. Camera and lens reviews abound. And there are extensive lessons in metering, technique, and film processing and hybrid photography.

Anyone who reads the book should be able to produce sparkling images and make a balanced choice of what camera and lenses to buy within their budget and needs.

Film Used – Ilford PanF Plus – 50 ISO
Developer – Rodinal – 50 + 1 – 11 minutes at 20 degrees C
Scanned with Plustek 8100