The Leicaflex SL2 MOT: A Testament to German Engineering and Survival

In the world of photography, certain cameras transcend their mechanical purpose to become legends. The Leicaflex SL2 MOT is one such camera, etched into history not just for its exceptional build quality and advanced features, but for an extraordinary event that defied all odds. In 1981, a report from the Leitz press service detailed a remarkable incident: 'A Leica fell from the sky… and survived a fall of 8000 meters'. This wasn't just a marketing anecdote; it was the beginning of a story that would highlight the unparalleled resilience of German precision engineering.

The Unlikely Survivor: A Near-Fatal Flight

The camera in question, a Leicaflex SL2 MOT, belonged to American photojournalist Mark Meyer. Meyer was renowned for his specialization in aircraft photography, often utilising the extensive range of Leitz lenses, from wide-angle 19mm to powerful 800mm telephotos, to capture Western aircraft in flight, on the ground, and during training missions. His pursuit of the perfect shot led him to a perilous situation.

On a mission over the California desert, Meyer was aboard a McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, aiming to photograph another F-4 in flight. He requested the pilot to manoeuvre their aircraft into a mirror flight position, intending to capture close-up shots of the other Phantom with his 35mm wide-angle lens. At an altitude of 26,000 feet and travelling at a staggering 1,185 mph, disaster struck. The upper aircraft unexpectedly slowed, leading to a collision with Meyer's fighter jet.

Miraculously, Meyer and the pilots of both aircraft managed to eject using their seats, escaping the catastrophic descent. However, in the chaos of the ejection, the Leicaflex SL2 MOT slipped from Meyer's grasp, plummeting five miles to the desert floor below. Meyer landed safely by parachute, but despite an intensive search, his prized camera was lost.

A Year in the Desert: The Camera's Ordeal

For a full year, the Leicaflex SL2 MOT lay buried in the California desert. The harsh environment, with its extreme temperatures and abrasive sands, would have been the final resting place for most mechanical devices. Yet, this Leica was different.

The camera's second act began when a U.S. Marine infantry maneuver inadvertently uncovered it. Corporal Thomas Fisher, a grenade launcher leader, stumbled upon the camera while digging in. Initially, Fisher had no way of identifying the owner, as the camera was jammed shut and inoperable. He set it aside, a silent testament to its extreme journey.

The Unveiling: Film Development and a Chance Encounter

Months later, back on the East Coast, Fisher decided to have the film from the camera developed. He took it to a photo dealer, curious to see what images had survived the crash and the subsequent year in the desert. The resulting Kodachrome slides were miraculously intact, unaffected by their subterranean ordeal.

However, upon receiving a quote for the repair of the damaged Leicaflex, Fisher found the cost prohibitive and left the camera at the store. Fate intervened once more when a Leitz representative happened to see the camera. Intrigued by its condition and the story behind it, he inquired about the damage. Upon hearing the details of the crash, the representative recalled a newspaper report about the air disaster and the missing camera.

The Search for the Slides and the Reunion

The Leitz representative initiated a process to identify the camera's owner. Meyer was contacted, and through a series of investigations, it was confirmed that the recovered Leicaflex SL2 MOT was indeed his. While Meyer was elated to learn of his camera's recovery, he was deeply disappointed by the loss of the crucial slides documenting the ill-fated flight.

This led to a renewed search, this time for the unknown individual who had found and begun the process of developing the film. Through old recruiting files, Corporal Thomas Fisher was located. Meyer was able to arrange for the return of the slides in exchange for a $500 finder's fee. Nearly two years after the crash, Meyer was finally reunited with both his camera and the invaluable images.

A Museum Piece: The Legacy of the Leicaflex SL2 MOT

Despite the extraordinary circumstances and the potential for repair, Meyer chose not to have the Leicaflex SL2 MOT restored. Instead, he donated it to the Leica Camera factory museum in Wetzlar, Germany. There, it remains on display, a powerful symbol of the durability, precision, and reliability that define Leica products.

Understanding the Leicaflex SL2 MOT

The Leicaflex SL2 MOT was a significant camera in its time, representing the pinnacle of SLR technology from Leica. Let's delve into its specifications and history:

Key Features and Specifications:

• Production Era: 1968-1974
• Total Units Produced: Approximately 74,818 cameras
• Variants: Available in black and chrome finishes. A special 'Olympia' edition was produced for the 1972 Innsbruck Olympic Games.
• Motor Drive: The 'MOT' designation signifies compatibility with the 14077 motor drive, enhancing shooting speed and convenience.
• Metering: Featured full through-the-lens (TTL) metering. The 'SL' suffix stands for "selected light" metering area, indicated by a circle in the centre of the viewfinder.
• Lens Mount: Compatible with Leica R-series lenses, with two cams incorporated for lenses designed specifically for the SL series to enable the metering system.
• Shutter Speed Dial: Control dial was finished in black.
• Battery Compartment: Located in the camera base.
• Camera Back Lock: Featured a modified lock mechanism.
• SL MOT Specifics: Approximately 1080 SL MOT units were produced between 1972-1974 in black, with 'MOT' engraved on the pentaprism housing. These had an internal drive shaft and external contacts and controls on the base plate, allowing the motor to be attached or detached without removing the base plate.

SL Meaning: Selected Light

The 'SL' in Leicaflex SL and SL MOT stands for "selected light" metering. This referred to the camera's ability to meter a specific area of the scene, highlighted by a distinct circle within the viewfinder, usually surrounded by micro-prisms. This provided photographers with more control over exposure, especially in challenging lighting conditions.

Production Breakdown: A Look at Serial Numbers

The following table provides a detailed look at the serial numbers and production batches for the Leicaflex SL and SL MOT, illustrating the meticulous production and variation of these iconic cameras:

* Serial numbers and batch total from Gandy's List.
Serial numbers from Serial Numbers Leica Cameras with computed batch total. Unmarked SN's match between both lists and Gandy's batch total was used without recalculation.
~ Batch from Puts Pocket Pod.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What happened to the Leicaflex SL2 MOT that fell from the sky?
A: The Leicaflex SL2 MOT, belonging to photojournalist Mark Meyer, survived a fall of approximately 8000 meters after ejecting from a fighter jet. While it sustained damage, including to the lens and camera back, the film inside remained intact. It is now displayed at the Leica Camera museum in Wetzlar.

Q2: What does 'SL' mean in Leicaflex SL and SL MOT?
A: 'SL' stands for "selected light" metering, referring to the camera's through-the-lens metering system that focused on a specific area of the scene.

Q3: How many Leicaflex SL2 MOT cameras were produced?
A: The Leicaflex SL2 MOT was part of the broader Leicaflex SL production, with approximately 1080 SL MOT units produced between 1972 and 1974. The total production for the Leicaflex SL series was around 74,818 cameras.

Q4: Why wasn't the camera repaired?
A: Although the camera was functional in terms of film capture, the repair costs were deemed too high by the finder. More importantly, the owner, Mark Meyer, chose to preserve it in its crash-damaged state as a testament to its incredible survival story and Leica's enduring quality.

A Legacy of Enduring Quality

The story of the Leicaflex SL2 MOT is more than just a tale of a camera; it's a narrative about resilience, dedication**, and the pursuit of excellence. It serves as a powerful reminder of the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into every Leica product, a quality that allows them to withstand not just the rigours of professional photography, but also the most extreme and unexpected of circumstances.

For those interested in learning more about this remarkable camera and seeing it in action, Benedikt Hartmann presented the Leicaflex SL2 MOT on the YouTube channel of the Leica Store Wetzlar, Germany. You can find the video at: https://youtu.be/3GJWWe-CYZA. It's an opportunity to witness firsthand the camera that truly defied gravity.

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