Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/10/05
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]As many of you know I have recently replaced my Visoflex gear with a SL2 and a 14167 adapter. This , of course, had me starting to look for some R lenses and accessories. I picked up a second version 135/2.8 and looked for that most holy of grails, the 2X converter for the SL/SL2. These are somewhat scarce on the ground having been introduced well after the SL2 was discontinued. I managed to find three. The first sold on "the auction site that dare not say its name" for $275US while I was away on holidays...sigh. The second was offered up for sale by a member of another list. It had the dreaded Mint In Box designation and I never was able to get a firm price but I think they wanted $600+US. The last one, and the one I purchased, I found for the more usual $350US in "whatever" cosmetic condition and mint glass. My delight on its arrival soon turned to dismay and laughter. It was definitely in the advertised condition BUT Leica designed the 2X converter for the SL/SL2 with no meter coupling cams just zeroing (static) cams (including a R static cam as well)! You have to stop down meter! Wait, it gets better, there is no aperture coupling whatsoever! You view at the set aperture! This thing was introduced in 1980! The same time Nikon was introducing converters that would work in P mode. So I went to my closet of old Leica catalogues and did the reading which I should have done to start with. Yes, they even admit it in plain black and white. So what should you do if you want a 2X converter for a SL/SL2? Do not get the "right" one (hell I have seen 2X APOs for less than the MIB one), get a regular "R" one and rip out or tape off the metering cam. At least you will have full aperture viewing. John Collier - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html