Leica R4 Now Handles Much Better!

[dave lackey]

Found a new grip with leather strap at KEH for only $10!!!Whoa, what a difference it makes on the R4 with the power winder!!!😱

The weight of that combo seemingly disappears!

So, took off the op-tech strap and it fits in the 5XB bag perfectly with room for the 80Lux lens that I wish I had...and still room in the bag for four rolls of film, notebook, checkbook, etc.

Guess what I am carrying around with me this week?😀

 

[dave lackey]

Quick Snapshot of the 80s "squarish" but comfortable design:

This only makes me want to use it more and also get an R8 with a motor drive!

 

[Mablo]

Looks very good. R4 is one of those cameras I'd like to own some day. One of the better looking R bodies, I'd say.

 

[dave lackey]

Looks very good. R4 is one of those cameras I'd like to own some day. One of the better looking R bodies, I'd say.

Thanks, Mablo....picked it up from an estate sale fro $250 in mint condition. If you get a really nice one, they will be around for a long time and still are available in the $150/200 range.

If they ever break, buy another. Better yet, buy two...Cheaper than a CLA! 😛

I love these things...same size as the M3 with a noctilux-size lens. Same feel. Same quality and has served me well on my documentary work for the last few years.:angel:

R6/7 are amazingly good too.

 

[rlouzan]

I've seen people use a hacksaw to get rid of part of the R4 grip after the first callus 😱😀😉.

http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server5...otor_winder_2__14862.1320804182.1280.1280.jpg

See any difference?

 

[mfogiel]

There is another winder, which is smaller, and you do not need a grip with it, plus you release as normal. Great camera - the only bug it has is the shutter lag. As to the Summilux 80, I have one, but in practice the Summicron 90 is superior in effective use, and costs less than a half.

 

[dave lackey]

There is another winder, which is smaller, and you do not need a grip with it, plus you release as normal. Great amera - the only bug it has is the shutter lag. As to the Summilux 80, I have one, but in practice the Summicron 90 is superior in effective use, and costs less than a half.

Depends on what one is looking for...

Thorsten Overgaard prefers it over the Cron and as much as I like the Cron, the Lux is just a bit better for what I want to do:

http://www.flickriver.com/groups/summiluxr80/pool/interesting/

Ah, dreams are good even if there is no chance in hell of fulfilling them.🙄

 

[dave lackey]

I've seen people use a hacksaw to get rid of part of the R4 grip after the first callus 😱😀😉.

http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server5...otor_winder_2__14862.1320804182.1280.1280.jpg

See any difference?

Ha, wimps.

 

[mfogiel]

The problem with Summilux 80 is the focus shift and in general shallow depth of field wide open, which makes it difficult to use wide open, and not so practical between f 2.0 and 4.0. If you are after the bokeh, I can understand, but in the end it is only justified if you shoot this way very often. I find that among the R lenses the 60/2.8 and 90/2 are really very versatile on an R4, for longer stuff autofocus is important, and for wider, Leica M is more appropriate.

 

[taskoni]

Dave, your R4 looks gorgeous with that grip! Congratulation on the good find!
You have an email regarding the 80 lux 😉

Regards,

Boris

 

[dave lackey]

The problem with Summilux 80 is the focus shift and in general shallow depth of field wide open, which makes it difficult to use wide open, and not so practical between f 2.0 and 4.0. If you are after the bokeh, I can understand, but in the end it is only justified if you shoot this way very often. I find that among the R lenses the 60/2.8 and 90/2 are really very versatile on an R4, for longer stuff autofocus is important, and for wider, Leica M is more appropriate.

Yes, THIS!🙂

In general, I agree with what you are saying and I would dearly love a Cron 90. And the 180...and the 400...heck why not a 35? I just love the R cameras as they fit me and my style very well. Others may not but everyone is different. Thorsten did some great stuff when he was shooting the DMR and Doug Herr is doing amazing wildlife photography with his DMR.

 

[taskoni]

I shot the 80 LUX wide open and didn't find it difficult to use, at f/2 is the curly haired boy which I find pretty practical and very usable regardless the basic scan. Never felt any focus shift with mine 🙂

@ f/1.4

@ f/1.4

@ f/2

Regards,

Boris

 

[dave lackey]

Very nice, Bobby!

Oh, I meant to post this link to Thorsten's review of the 80 Lux:

http://www.overgaard.dk/leica_80_summilux-R_14.html

 

[dave lackey]

I shot the 80 LUX wide open and didn't find it difficult to use, at f/2 is the curly haired boy which I find pretty practical and very usable regardless the basic scan. Never felt any focus shift with mine 🙂

@ f/1.4

@ f/1.4

@ f/2

Regards,

Boris

These are excellent! Curly headed boy is more than excellent!😀