I'm wondering what's it like to use a Mot SL for daily assignments or use period? Can you do it? I know the lens are great and the camera is old by today's standards, but to me it feels good in my hands (I've only owned and used the standard SL body) but I like a motor drive on all my cameras. Any information and/or your opinons would be appreciated.

Thanks JOhn Miller

-- John Miller (vwbus1967@earthlink.net), April 15, 2001

Answers

It's been a while since I've used an SL MOT or SL-2 MOT, but here goes....

These are heavy packages, which is good for handheld shooting but awful to lug around.

Operationally, you trigger the camera by pressing a button on the front of the motor; it's rather awkward. Leica made a grip but I have no idea the part number or how difficult it'd be to find one. Also, the stock focusing screen is a plain (w/fresnel) groundglass, not the bright screen used in the ordinary SL/SL-2, so it's a bit dimmer. Also there are no focusing aids.

Personally, today, if I wanted a mechanical R Leica with a motor it'd be the R6. While the SL/SL-2 MOT cameras are very nice, in comparison they have lots of drawbacks especially considering the high collectible-value price of one in decent condition.

-- John Hicks (jbh@magicnet.net), April 16, 2001.