Zuiho Honor SL
The Zuiho Honor SL is a LTM-mount film rangefinder camera, introduced in 1959. Leica camera price index →
Reference maintained by Thomas Boots
General
- Mount
- LTM
- Release Year
- 1959
- Type
- Film
- Model Number
- SL
- Serial Range
- Observed range 90000 to approximately 90500, not a factory-confirmed allocation
Dimensions
Viewfinder & Shutter
- Framelines
- Unknown, combined viewfinder and coupled rangefinder
- Shutter Speeds
- T, B and 1 s to 1/500 s, with some bodies marked to 1/1000 s
- Shutter Type
- Cloth
Features
- Hot Shoe
- No
- Tripod Socket
- Yes
- Self Timer
- No
- Flash Sync
- Unknown
Honor SL
The Honor SL is the final documented Honor LTM rangefinder, introduced by Zuiho Optical in 1959. It modernized the S1 concept with a combined viewfinder and coupled rangefinder, lever film advance and a folding rewind crank [1][2].
The body retained separate fast and slow shutter-speed controls, and the upper speed dial rotates when the shutter fires. Most examples are marked to 1/500 second, while a smaller number carry a 1/1000 setting [1][3].
History
Development and Launch
Period literature shifts the maker identification from Mejiro to Zuiho around 1958. The Honor SL followed in 1959 with styling and controls broadly comparable to late Canon screw-mount rangefinders [1][2].
Production Evolution
Observed serials run from 90000 to approximately 90500. This range is not a factory record, and one collector source estimates lower actual production. The standard shutter tops at 1/500 second, with some marked 1/1000 bodies documented [1].
Special Variants
The 1/1000-marked bodies are scarce production variants, not a separately named edition. Konica Hexanon and Honor 50 mm lens packages remain outfit variations within the Standard model [1].
Collector Notes
Distinguish the SL from the S1 by its single combined finder eyepiece, broad front finder window, lever wind and crank rewind. Check the serial, shutter dial and maker engraving together, especially on a claimed 1/1000 example [1][2].
Comments