The SL2; the best DSLR never built?

It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 4:48 am

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 2 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: The SL2; the best DSLR never built?
Unread postPosted: Fri Aug 21, 2015 2:27 pm 
Offline
Newbie
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 20, 2015 11:43 pm
Posts: 16
The M going digital was logical, even in trying to maintain most of it's form and functions.
Leica's up until the upper 1970's were or still had the 'Leica design tradition'. They were mechanically sound and, complicated to a fault as to the expense of manufacture. But, in the case of a body that today could have been, and still could be a great DSLR body design, then look no further than the masterful design of the SL2.
It's form factor is still second to none, It's body size (w/o the MOT motor drive) would easily encapsulate today's modern electronics - including AF - and either the use of EVF or, my preference, a traditional prism - because an EVF uses more power at least with today's tech.
The near perfect, clustered control, and meter were a joy to use, and even if a built-on grip were desired and the controls it could hold, it would be easily incorporated. Too, the rear display would fit easily as would the mode buttons.
When I think about this, I really do believe Leica completely missed the boat with it's decision to abandon the R line and the large user base even when considering the reasons - 'it would be like swimming with the sharks of Canon and Nikon'; tell that to Sony!
The S line is a fine camera - but sell more than an SL2-like designed DSLR? I still absolutely doubt it.
The consideration seemed to have been lost to Leica at the time that in the SL2 they had a traditional, near flawless Leica design that matched the M in it's lineage and a design that still to this day speaks 'Leica'.
Hopefully, whatever the 'rumored' new M may be, I hope it captures the classic useful Leica design language of the M and - the SL2 - my favorite Leica of all. It's simply a great design.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: The SL2; the best DSLR never built?
Unread postPosted: Sun Aug 23, 2015 1:45 pm 
Offline
Newbie
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 20, 2015 11:43 pm
Posts: 16
I would like to add that the newer and electronic R series bodies were not to my mind 'real Leica's' from the standpoint of a total 'ground up Leica design' as much of the basic platform was from Minolta's XE and XD series adapted/strengthened to Leica spec's, the following R8 and R9 were 'in-house' designs.
But even so, the SL/SL2 design philosophy were the last 'lineage' to original Leica SLR design. In fact, the SL series were a bit more robust (if that was possible) than the SL2 and the body was even a bit more ergonomic or curved.
Too, I use to have DAG repair install the more sensitive CDS cell from the SL2 in SL bodies and had a lamp put behind/in the finder display - activated by the battery-test button - to illuminate the match needle in low light.


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 2 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
cron