Some words to the clone storry (Minolta)
True is, that the R3 and the R4 (with all their variants) were made in cooperation with Minolta.
Leica used their electronic know how, but Leica modified it. So the R3 is a Minolta/Leica mixture.
Withe the R4 Leica started to choose their own way, with the success, that the first R4´s had electronic problems....
After the separation between Leica and Minolta, Leica started to redesign the R series on their own.
The first model was the R5, without any Minolta help.
The R6 and the R6.2 is a complete Leica design, because these cameras are full mechanical.
Also the R7 is a complete re-design of the R5, now the electronic parts are highliy integrated, so we have a digital controll of all the electronic features of the cam.
The brad new electronoc in the R7 needed a little bit more space(TTL flash system), that is the reason, why the body of the R7 is a little bit higher (larger) as the other R´s.
If you see a pic, you will recognize, that under the Lens to the bottom of the cam they build the case a little bit larger...
Another thing is, that Leica used with teir R-series cams a couple of parts from third party companies.
What I mean is, that the shutter is not a Leica construction, and that was one of the reasons, why they stopped one day the R 6.2 production, because they can´t get the sutterparts anymore (but all these R cams are still rapirable!!!)
Nevertheless - the R series cams, and most of them the R7 and the R6.2 are fantastic photografic tools!!!
If you want to by an analog MF SLR, you will see, that there is not much on the market, which will be ranked over the last classic R generation.
If you want to have a small body, you can delete the F-Nikons and also the last MF Canons from your list.
What you will find on your list is than:
Olympus OM3, OM4 - great cameras, I love the OM3, a full mechanical cam with spot and multi spot metering system, but you have to use the zuiko lenses, and thats the point - beneath the 1,2 50mm there is no lense, which you would prefer more than the Leica glass.
Than you will find the Nikon FM2/FE2 on your list - you get maybe the best shutter in that camera class, but there is no spot metering, no mirror up system.....but you can connect the bodies to a very wide range of AI glass - and there you will find also some great lenses, as the 85mm 1:1,4, the 105mm, the 80-200 Zoom and so on.
With Pentax and Minolta you are far away from the haptic quality of a Nikon FM/FE or a Leica R - what is left...???
The only camera system which is in that class will be Contax - they have a little bit the same attitude than the Leica R system - you have great Zeiss lenses and also fantastic bodies, also a full mechanical one.
But you might have the problem to find a repair man, especially when you have trouble with some electronic parts...
So, most MF SLR fans end up with Leica or Nikon...
As I pointed out in my first R-statement, you´ll get a rock solid, small body with spot and integral metering system, with the possibility to store your lightmesurement, with a mirror up system (you will need a second cable release - you don´t need the Leica-Glocke;-))), with illuminated aperture Scale, time scale and other information in the Finder, a very bright finder, a viewfindershutter, when you work with a tripod, DX system, depth of field lever (very nice handling), a big and ergonomic aperture-time ring, when yo work in manual mode, TTL and TTL Flash metering, 1/2000 shortest shutterspeed, very easy correction of ASA, self timer, diopter wheel for the finder, plug for studio flash light system, winder or motordrive connection, and with the R7 programm mode with shift, apperture and time mode and manual, apperture and manual you can combine with integral or spot.....
I Think that is everything a professional MF SLR should have and a lot more - all packed in a very little body - it is only a little bit bigger than an M7.
The handling is a dream and the built quality is typical Leica!!
And if you shoot a rangefinder from Leica you can easily switch to the R cam for real telephoto or macro without having a new hndling-concept - everything is familiar...
If you like Leica glass, than you are in SLR heaven with these small cameras - just the old standard zoom lenses are not top quality (35-79 and 28-70 - first made by Minolta, second by Tokina) and the 24mm Elmarit, which is also an old minolta design (not bad, but not on the level of the rest...).
The wide-angle lenses - 15mm and 19mm, the Super Angulon 21mm, the elmarit 28 and the cron and lux 35mm are fantastic.
The 15mm has nearly no distortion - a dream to have a steady horizon on the picture....
There are also fantastic PC Lenses from Schneider in the system....
Than you will find the 60mm and the 100 mm Apo Macro - both a one of the absolut top macro lenses (to tell the truth I don´t know any better;-))))
The standard lenses are all a dream!!!
The 80mm Lux is one of my favourites - it is outstanding...
The 180 and 250mm tele lenses are also outstanding...
Also the new modular telephoto designs are all on the highest Level - check it out on flickr - a lot of nature photographers use the modular tele system, and if you like shooting birds or animals (I am not interested....;-)) the reachable quality is absolut stunning!!!!!
And it was never so cheap to jump on the Leica SLR train than today - so do it and be happy
Yours Ekki
