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

[rbsinto]

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)

OK.
It's a camera, and I like taking photos, so undoubtedly, it wouldn't hurt and I'd have fun taking pictures with it, (regardless of how damned ugly it is.)
So what?
I'm already running two systems (Nikon F and Nikon S) with numerous duplicate lenses between them, and no passionate desire or even academic interest in spending more money on a Leica SLR system.
But thanks for the offer.
Next time I'm out for a Sunday drive, perhaps I'll swing by Adelaide, and you can let me muck about with yours.

 

[Vickko]

Hmmm interesting. I've been lusting after a DMR and R9. Last time I held an R8 was 2001 in NYC. Felt big. But a Nikon D700 feels big.

I have an R7 and R6.2. I like the smallness of the R6.2.

I've had SL2's and SL's - they are pretty heavy but small (so, dense)

But, if I want the DMR, I'm locked to the R9. Wouldn't buy an R8 due to reputation of defects.

Vick

 

[nobbylon]

I think film wise the Nikon F4 is as far as i'm going to go now. Using the Nikon D700 for most of my photography so it makes sense to stick with Nikon. R series cameras have had mixed press over the years. You are either lucky or not. I was and had no trouble at all from my R4 or R8. Others have not been so fortunate with bits dropping off and electrical woes, Mirror jams, self timers(electrics I suppose).
My favorite photographer Eric Valli swore by them but then I suppose he could have been given them! The lenses are not cheap as stated by someone, ok they are not in the M price range but compared to others they are expensive.

 

[jalLee2001]

I think the R9 is a stunning camera. For me the ergonomics are perfect. But it is what it is-a large manual focus SLR. The 50 1.4 lens is the best I have ever used. The only thing that should give you pause as compared to the contax is the selection and price of the lenses.

 

[kbg32]

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.

The Contax system is fantastic and the lenses are as good or better then Leitz. Better yet, get both!

 

[italy74]

Ok, let me put my 2c.

1) My overall favourite film camera is the Nikon F6 (but it isn't allowed in this specific thread) - If I had to choose only one camera for my life, it would be F6 for sure.

2) My favourite manual focus camera - especially for portraits - is for sure the R8/R9 - Keep in mind I also have a FM3A and time ago I wrote about the differences about them. Not in terms of build quality in itself, rather about the viewfinder. Despite the FM3A's micro-split prisms collar and focusing area is (or seems to be) bigger (!) than R8 ( I could look at them side by side ), R8 has a couple of clear advantages over the FM3A at least in term of usability. First, the central focusing area is much better (i.e. it's easier to understand what's in focus and what is not) and second I find the right side exposure times much smarter than the left-side FM3a.
In fact, while the right side is always in the most lighted part of the frame, especially for a portrait, the FM3A falls in the darkest AND, not to rely on batteries, has no lighted exposure times as R8 has, i.e. you may not understand at which time you're working.

There's another plus which I like a lot compared to many others manual cameras, FM3A included (notice I don't have yet any R8/R9 but I'll get it asap): spot metering. The bread and butter lens for that camera is the Summicron 90 F/2 while I'm not that much fan of the faster and heavier 80 F/1.4. I also had the opportunity to look through a Contax T2 viewfinder but I didn't like it as much as the Leica. No idea for RTS III which should be a great camera indeed - actually for what I saw, it looks even harder to find than used R8's. R9 is even harder to find.

3) Another AF camera I could choose? F100 or F80, one for performances - F100 af still equals or overcomes many digital cameras autofocus systems, lenses looks driven as dragsters. F80 is cheap but has a fill-in flash and a few nice features that may result handy.

Bottom line, if you could get a R8/R9 I tend to think you would be perfectly happy if you like manual focusing AND your favourite focal lenghts are 50 / 90 mm Also the 35-70 F/4 often disregarded because "slow" it's a truly great lens, optically speaking, and a very good walkaround to pair with a 50 F/2 Summicron and 90 F/2.

 

[sc_rufctr]

Ok, let me put my 2c.

1) My overall favourite film camera is the Nikon F6 (but it isn't allowed in this specific thread) - If I had to choose only one camera for my life, it would be F6 for sure.

2) My favourite manual focus camera - especially for portraits - is for sure the R8/R9 - Keep in mind I also have a FM3A and time ago I wrote about the differences about them. Not in terms of build quality in itself, rather about the viewfinder. Despite the FM3A's micro-split prisms collar and focusing area is (or seems to be) bigger (!) than R8 ( I could look at them side by side ), R8 has a couple of clear advantages over the FM3A at least in term of usability. First, the central focusing area is much better (i.e. it's easier to understand what's in focus and what is not) and second I find the right side exposure times much smarter than the left-side FM3a.
In fact, while the right side is always in the most lighted part of the frame, especially for a portrait, the FM3A falls in the darkest AND, not to rely on batteries, has no lighted exposure times as R8 has, i.e. you may not understand at which time you're working.

There's another plus which I like a lot compared to many others manual cameras, FM3A included (notice I don't have yet any R8/R9 but I'll get it asap): spot metering. The bread and butter lens for that camera is the Summicron 90 F/2 while I'm not that much fan of the faster and heavier 80 F/1.4. I also had the opportunity to look through a Contax T2 viewfinder but I didn't like it as much as the Leica. No idea for RTS III which should be a great camera indeed - actually for what I saw, it looks even harder to find than used R8's. R9 is even harder to find.

3) Another AF camera I could choose? F100 or F80, one for performances - F100 af still equals or overcomes many digital cameras autofocus systems, lenses looks driven as dragsters. F80 is cheap but has a fill-in flash and a few nice features that may result handy.

Bottom line, if you could get a R8/R9 I tend to think you would be perfectly happy if you like manual focusing AND your favourite focal lenghts are 50 / 90 mm Also the 35-70 F/4 often disregarded because "slow" it's a truly great lens, optically speaking, and a very good walkaround to pair with a 50 F/2 Summicron and 90 F/2.

Excellent post but the F5 is superior to the F6 IMO.

The best ever professional no compromise film SLR = F5.

 

[venchka]

There are several R8/R9 owners on the Leica Users Group. A few with the DMR attached. You could get opinions there.

 

[italy74]

Ciao Peter,
here is like a Ferrari / Lamborghini / Maserati / Aston Martin debate. Some may prefer the robustness of the F5, able to break the ice if you fall in an iced pond (as happened to Bjorn years ago) as one would prefer sheer hp on an engine car, when you like to hear your engine singing or roaring, some may prefer a slimmer line and a lighter body to handle while renouncing to other feature they woudln't use ... About cars, I'm more fan of Maserati than Ferrari and other supercars, and the only foreign brand that really emotions me is Aston Martin.

 

[sc_rufctr]

Italy74

I have an ancient Porsche that I'll never part with.

Photography to me is similar... I'll never part with my M bodies and lenses... Think old Porsche.
My R9 and one lens (so far) is a nod to the current. It's like my daily car... A VW Golf VR6.

But to round out my collection I''m shopping for a Nikon F5. That's like an Aston Martin or Ferrari to me.

Cars are analog not digital... 😀

 

[Brian Levy]

I've tried most of the Leica SLRs and the R sereis never did anything for me. I'd opt for a Contax RTS sereis, preferrably a III if I were to ever buy a dedicated 35mm slr system. The R9 and R8 were heavier than my Bronica ETRS in basic form and never sold myself on a reason to want either or even an earlier model..

 

[Paddy C]

I still think the R8/R9 is the coolest SLR design ever.

However, given the price of the system, I would buy something else if I wanted a film SLR. Contax I think. But for myself I can't really see the point in it.

 

[rbsinto]

I still think the R8/R9 is the coolest SLR design ever.

However, given the price of the system, I would buy something else if I wanted a film SLR. Contax I think. But for myself I can't really see the point in it.

They look as if they've had a really bad allergic reaction, and as a result are swollen and misshapen. Truly the ugliest modern SLRs I've ever seen.

 

[CorreCaminos]

They look as if they've had a really bad allergic reaction, and as a result are swollen and misshapen. Truly the ugliest modern SLRs I've ever seen.

A matter of personal taste. I like the design quite a lot and love using my R9.

The R8/R9s have a great viewfinder (clear and unobtrusive), the right level of technology and features for how I like to work, and the R9 (much lighter than the R8) is not quite as heavy as people make them out to be. They are bulky though.

 

[sc_rufctr]

I still think the R8/R9 is the coolest SLR design ever.

However, given the price of the system, I would buy something else if I wanted a film SLR. Contax I think. But for myself I can't really see the point in it.

Price? That depends on what you compare it to...

You can buy a good R9 and a mint Summilux R, ROM converted for the same price as a mint Summilux M. 🙂
Or you can buy a nice Nikon F5 and some choice lenses for the cost of a good R9 body alone.

These cameras are so cheap compared to when they were new. Hey why not buy both?
Another of the many benefits of staying with film...

 

[sc_rufctr]

I wonder how many people who hate the R8,9 because of its looks have actually seen and held one in real life? Let alone actually used it???

Maybe like a lot of older cars it's not photogenic? >>> Modern cars are designed to photograph well first and look good in person second.

Believe me in real life they are something to behold. The heft is reassuring... A real "mans" camera.
When I first handled mine I had to catch my breath. Even the smell is intoxicating. Better than any drug... 😀

... Just saying 😎

 

[italy74]

Actually, I like R8/R9 design and I'll get one asap - as mentioned above. Someone said that most of the SLR experience and feeling is in the viewfinder and R8/R9 looks to have a great one for manual focusing and portraiture.

Another thing... I didn't realize to think of cars in terms of digital... cars emotion people, thus are analog, i.e. ALIVE. Digital is COLD, dead.

 

[Fotobug]

Maybe I'm in...or, out?

Maybe I'm in...or, out?

I bought a used R8 with motor winder in 2008. Principally because I thought I would be able to get a used DMR unit at a good price within a year, and then have a "best of two worlds" situation. Nothing doing. My plans were screwed up when Leica abandoned the R10, and catapulted to the S2 model. All, or nearly everything R8/9 did not plummet in value. I've only got the Vario-Elmar 28-70mm on it. I've got two Leica III's (a&b), one M3 DS, and for digital I decided to get a Kodak Pro SLR/n. And R glass is, as others have said, not inexpensive. I may give up the R8 kit, and simply get another M3 and round out my M kit with a 28mm and 200/280mm telyt. Or, I'll sell some other cameras, maybe even my III's, and Vario-Elmar, to get one or two primes for the R8. ....where's my asprin?

I really do prefer the simplicity of the R8 to my Kodak. Makes for a big difference in my ability to enjoy the camera when using it!

 

[dave lackey]

Love to learn more about these rigs. Anybody got one of these? Kind of cool looking in a Space Odyssey way. 😎

Kind of? Probably the best SLR design of all time IMO.🙂 I would love to meet the Leica designers as everything with a Nikon or Canon name looks like a blob of melted plastic. But, I am enjoying my compact R4 and Cron right now.

YMMV, but for me, the blobs look the same as they did 25 years ago. Like Toyotas, Nissans, Kias, etc. they all look the same which is the very reason I never drive any of those vehicles anymore. I already have a refrigerator.😛

 

[elmer3.5]

Hi, a couple years ago i had a r6.2, great little camera, then one day i decided to look closer to a r8, at first sight i thought what a large bulky camera, but surprisingly after handling it i found the ergonomics to be one of the best things it had.
After a while i decided to let go any r camera an lens because they are not cheap and wasn´t going to duplicate the same lenses in M and R mount.

So now i only use M system but from time to time i get tempted by one R camera! By the way R modul is not getting cheap!

Bye!