Freak me out - Who has a Leica R8 or R9?

kshapero

kshapero

South Florida Man
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Love to learn more about these rigs. Anybody got one of these? Kind of cool looking in a Space Odyssey way. :cool:
 
I handled one some time ago... and didn't like the viewfinder and focusing screen. It was an R9, I believe, with a 35-70 zoom. I was in a store, and I found it pretty difficult to focus well. Nothing wrong with the focusing ring... it's just that the focusing method (not RF but probably ground glass) didn't allow me to focus well on a textured surface.

After that, I remained fairly unimpressed... but must admit that the design is really nice.
 
I owned an R8 for a week during which time I realized that the R6 was far more suited to my style of shooting. I was able to negotiate a straight swap of the two bodies with my dealer which made the whole process quite enjoyable. I loved aspects of the R8 - it's easily the most sophisticated SLR body I've used. The viewfinder is great. The handling is great. It's just a little too large for my taste. The R6 is just a lot closer to an M6 when shooting.
 
kshapero, Did you get either the R8 or 9? I too have been researching that model with the intetion of buying one. Prices here in UK have dropped to £400-450(used) I had also been looking at R6 & R7 but they are holding their price. From what I have posted on 2 sites people who have owned and used the R8/9, have come back 99% in favour. Also in my sixties, still using film, and checking bank account so I can buy one.
 
I think you'd be much better off with Contax SLR's. I find them better to use in every aspect compared to the R series.
 
SolaresLarrave said:
I handled one some time ago... and didn't like the viewfinder and focusing screen. It was an R9, I believe, with a 35-70 zoom. I was in a store, and I found it pretty difficult to focus well. Nothing wrong with the focusing ring... it's just that the focusing method (not RF but probably ground glass) didn't allow me to focus well on a textured surface.

After that, I remained fairly unimpressed... but must admit that the design is really nice.
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Francisco,

I'm surprised you had an experience like that with the R9 as that viewfinder is really really really good and bright. Maybe they had a strange screen in there or something :)

To the OP.... If you're thinking of getting an R8/9 there are a few things to think about. The camera is big and the ergonomics suit larger handed folks well (quite a reach to the shutter button). The main reason to get it is, of course, to be able to use Leica glass on an SLR and, if that's important to you, then there you have it.

I like my R9 quite a bit, beautifully built and a great viewfinder. Another poster mentioned the Contax SLRs and I have to agree, they get used a fair amount more than my R9. That said, in the SLR world, my Nikon D300 or F6 is what will never leave my side if it really "matters".

Anyway, I recommend you try handling a R8/9 before buying to make sure it fits you ergonomically. If it does, I doubt you'll be disappointed!
 
I had an R8 for about two years. Sold it when (gasp) the lenses didn't impress me, and the R8's size+weight versus performance+convenience factor was felt to be imbalanced. If it had AF and an integral winder, i might have kept it, but i was already using Canons.

Re: lenses - i never acquired the 50/1.4 E60, which is supposed to be phenomenal. I had the 50 Summicron, 35 Summicron, and 80 Summilux. The 50 was not better than the Canon EF 50/1.4, the 35 was equal to the EF 35/2, and the 80 was not as good as the 85L. I did like the 35 Summicron's bokeh, though....

I later had an R7 and did like the late version 28/2.8 Elmarit, though. That's a very nice lens.

I agree with Neare — the Contax SLRs are really beautiful. I had an RX that is just a gorgeous, well-designed piece of gear. And the Aria does everything you need, in a small package. And the Contax SLR lenses are probably better than the Leica-Rs, at least in the focal lengths i used. The Leica 28 might be a teensy bit better than the Contax, but the Contax is already well-regarded. But, i definitely prefer Contax' 50 and 85.
 
The best looking SLR camera ever designed IMHO... The Nikon F5 is a close second.
The lenses are the best SLR lenses ever made... Also IMHO.

AND They're relatively cheap! So what's stopping you running out and getting one? ;) Life is short.

5164566877_2f0cc9138c_z.jpg
 
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sc_rufctr said:
The best looking SLR camera ever designed IMHO... The Nikon F5 is a close second.
The lenses are the best SLR lenses ever made... Also IMHO.

AND They're relatively cheap! So what's stopping you running out and getting one? ;) Life is short.

5164566877_2f0cc9138c_z.jpg
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Agreed, I owned a very nice R8 for about a year and have to say for me the finest SLR camera I've ever owned/used. I regret selling it but there's only so many cameras one can use! :D

My wife still doesn't believe my new year's resolution that I'm selling off all my camera gear and just sticking to Leica M from now on ..... can't quite believe it myself so can't blame here really. :eek:
 
The lenses are (surprise) superb and expensive and the bodies are heavy and cheaper than you think. Do a lot of research before buying a zoom.

I had the R5 (loved it) and spoke to R8 owners whenever I saw one and was thinking about the digital back.

Regards, David
 
I have the R8 and R6. Most of the times I use the R6 because it is smaller and less prone to electrical failure as my R8. The R8 has some issues that it loses contact withe the back door resulting in a lock up. But if I need speed and automatic modes the R8 is a great camera with the best VF I've ever seen. The winder is very well designed too and feels like it is inseparable from the camera. Actually I like the feel better with the winder on.


Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema
 
I had an R8 for a while and it was superb. The viewfinder was superb and snapped in and out of focus like no other i've used. I loved the 35 'cron and the 60 macro elmarit is still one of my regretted sales. From memory the Portugal bodies are the most reliable. The later the serial the better.
I sold mine to buy an M6.
Would I buy again? No, after using Nikon F3's and F4 I'd get one of those and a 28 and 50. Just as nice, more reliable and a lot cheaper. You can get 4 x F3 and 2 x F4 for the price of an R8!
 
I bought an R5. When I spotted gummy seals, the dealer sent it to be fixed for 2 weeks, and lent me an R8. It was a huge relief when the R5 came back. I am a big guy, and I hated the handling of the R8. I didn't really see any advantage to the viewfinder, and didn't like the ergonomics at all.

I'm out of the R system now, but would love to try a Leicaflex some day.
 
sc_rufctr said:
The best looking SLR camera ever designed IMHO... The Nikon F5 is a close second.
The lenses are the best SLR lenses ever made... Also IMHO.

AND They're relatively cheap! So what's stopping you running out and getting one? ;) Life is short.

5164566877_2f0cc9138c_z.jpg
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What's stopping me?
Disagreement with your first statement.
Disagreement with your second statement.
Getting everything I need photographically from the Nikon equipment I already own.
I do agree with you however, that life is far too short, especially to waste even a second of it mooning over Leica.
 
rbsinto said:
What's stopping me?
Disagreement with your first statement.
Disagreement with your second statement.
Getting everything I need photographically from the Nikon equipment I already own.
I do agree with you however, that life is far too short, especially to waste even a second of it mooning over Leica.
Click to expand...

Do I sens some envy here:)

Cheers,

Michiel FOkkema
 
rbsinto said:
Envy?
Not at all.
Although the Leicaphiles and their minions may find it difficult to understand, not everyones photographic world is centered on Leica.
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It's good your photographic world isn't centered around Leica...
Mine isn't either. I've had so many cameras from so many manufacturers it isn't funny. Well, my ex wife didn't think it was funny ;)

Right now I have cameras from Leica, Hasselblad and Sony (digital)...
In the past I've had Nikon, Canon, Pentax... and others. (My Canon was most reliable)

Why not give it a go? Can you borrow an R8 or 9 for a day or two and see what happens.
I promise it won't hurt and you may even have some fun. :)

(If you lived in my town I would lend you mine)
 
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