Ingenious innovations that paved the way for two classic Leicas.

The original Leicaflex, now known as the Leicaflex Standard, was the first 35mm SLR made by Leitz Wetzlar. It officially debuted in 1963, reached the market in 1964, and was phased out in 1968. Although it was exquisitely made, gorgeously finished, and capable of outstanding results, the Leicaflex Standard was technologically outclassed by its Japanese competitors, and also considerably more expensive. It lacked through-the-lens (TTL) metering, interchangeable finders, even a full focusing screen—its aerial-image viewfinder was extremely bright but focusing was restricted to a relatively small circular area in the center of the finder field. Thus it is not surprising that the first Leicaflex, despite its elite pedigree, was hardly a rousing success in the marketplace. When its successor, the Leicaflex SL, debuted in 1968, it addressed two of these deficits by incorporating, among other improvements, an ingenious and effective semi-spot TTL metering system and a full focusing viewfinder (still with a fixed pentaprism). Not surprisingly the SL sold much better than its predecessor despite its princely price, and was popular among pros, especially in Europe.

The release of the Leicaflex SL, and the upgraded SL2 in 1974, prove that Leica was indeed responsive to the hordes of Leica fans and others who were clamoring for a more advanced Leicaflex to take on the likes of Nikon, Canon, Pentax, and Topcon. However, while the pace of development may have seemed agonizingly slow, the engineers at Wetzlar were actually quite busy devising experimental models with fascinating new features. Herewith three ingenuous examples that were never put into production.

Before the design of the Leicaflex Standard was finalized, the Leitz engineers considered using an external selenium meter cell mounted on the front of the pentaprism housing in place of the CdS metering “eye” that was actually used on the production version. Indeed, the original Zeiss Contarex of 1959, affectionately known as the “Cyclops,” employed a selenium cell housed in a round “eye” for its coupled non-TTL metering system. Leitz undoubtedly made the right decision in opting for a battery powered CdS cell, which is more sensitive and has a narrower acceptance angle, but the one-off selenium cell prototype shown here was certainly an elegant solution.

The Leitz designers also spent quite a bit of effort in devising interchangeable finder systems for the Leicaflex to better position it as a high-end system aimed at pros. The chrome finished Leicaflex prototype is shown here with an open waist level finder, and the accompanying image shows beautifully finished and engraved examples of the experimental waist level and pentaprism finders. Both have accessory shoes, but obviously any accessory mounted atop the waist level finder would have to be used with the finder closed—a direct vision, non-optical sports-finder perhaps?

Finally, we’ve included two images of the very attractive, black finished Leicaflex P, which bears a close resemblance to the TTL-metering Leicaflex SL, but obviously has an interchangeable prism. The first photo shows the prism in place; the second shows the camera sporting a telescopic optical waist level finder with what looks like a diopter adjustment ring. Why was this gorgeous prototype called the Leicaflex P? Our best guess is that “P” was short for “professional.”

Of course, the Leicaflex was hardly the only Leica to be in a constant state of development at E. Leitz Wetzlar. As soon as the Leica IIIf, the first Leica with built-in flash sync, debuted in 1950 the engineers were already hard at work in developing its successor, which turned out to be the last of the screw-mount Leicas, the magnificent Leica IIIg of 1957-1960. During the course of the IIig’s development the Leitz engineers came up with the handsome transitional prototype shown here in a back view, and in a ¾ top view complete with vintage collapsible 50mm f/2 Summicron.

Basically, it’s a modified Leica IIIf red dial of circa 1954, but with a built-in “SBOOI” 50mm bright line finder, with a reflected frame line and fixed parallax compensation markings, in place of the IIIf’s small unadorned optical finder. Described with admirable precision by James Lager as having a “bright frame line produced by reflecting a line-drawn plate off the finder’s silvered interior” the SBOOI is one of the nicest accessory viewfinders ever made. Nevertheless, the true projected, parallax compensating 50mm and 90mm frame lines built into the actual IIIg were an even better solution, and the signature feature of the very last of the screw mount Leicas.

We are indebted to acclaimed Leica historian James Lager for providing the photos of the one-off prototype shown here. He shot them in 1988 when he was given unparalleled access to the Leica Museum collection.

Click on images below to enlarge.