Leica R8/R9-Sexy

dave lackey

dave lackey

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The M3 now has a companion...the R4. Nice matchup, kinda like ying and yang.

But, the R8 and R9 are so sexy that I may find a part-time job sweeping floors in exchange for one of those unbelievable designs.😱

Or even this:

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There is a bit of a revival on the DMR with R8 or R9. I got one to play with - bit large if you're used to M's, and R lenses are heavy. But the images are good.

Vick
 
Great feel overall with the R8 or R9. i think there are some small refinements on the R9 that make it a better body, but not at the cost differences. Yes, R lenses are heavy, but they are indeed excellent. One of my all time favorite SLRs along with the Nikon F4/5 and Contax RTS III. All rock solid :angel:
 
When did you suddenly get so besoted with Leica SLR's Dave ... or is this a dark side that has always lurked within you? 😀
 
keep going with this and it's going to get pricey!!!!
I had an R8 and loved the viewfinder. If I could get a cheapish DMR I'd have another but spending over €500 on a film camera is not in my mind set anymore. Nikon F3 is the best platform for R lenses for film that I've found.
 
The DMR is selling for more than the M8's now.

Saw a DMR go for $2500 BIN on ebay last month.

There is a DMR/R8 for $3200 now, but it has a bid on it. I know a dealer with a DMR/R9 kit for $3800.

So, not cheap, not cheaper than say a Nikon D700 with adapters. But not all R lenses adapt to the Nikon.

Vick
 
sanmich said:
How??
adapter? conversion?
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Leitax lens bayonets. I have 35 and 50 Summicrons with the Nikon mounts and use them on my F3, F4 and D700. You lose open aperture metering but I usually shoot both wide open. If I need more dof I just count 3 clicks on the aperture ring after i've focused. Cameras set in A mode.
 
nobbylon said:
Leitax lens bayonets. I have 35 and 50 Summicrons with the Nikon mounts and use them on my F3, F4 and D700. You lose open aperture metering but I usually shoot both wide open. If I need more dof I just count 3 clicks on the aperture ring after i've focused. Cameras set in A mode.
Click to expand...

So you loose metering in manual but retain A mode operation?

Incidentally, it has been asked recently, but why did you choose to go that way?
do you feel the two sumicrons are superior to the best Nikkor contenders (micro 55, 50 f/2, 35 f/2 or 1.4)?
Thanks!
 
Oh, I woudn't pay that much for either.

Go to Tamarkin.com for the R9 (less than $1K), or igorcamera for that DMR/R9 kit.

And Tamarkin and Igor would help if there are after sales issues.

Vick
 
R9 and DMR kits shouldn't be too hard to find in the sub $4000 range. I sent my kit off to Ffordes, and it will go on sale for less than that.

The R9 really is something else, but manual focus? Not for me, too many out of focus shots 🙁
 
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Keith said:
When did you suddenly get so besoted with Leica SLR's Dave ... or is this a dark side that has always lurked within you? 😀
Click to expand...

Yep...the dark side.😀 Tri-X and Ilford only.:angel:

Loving these one-time expensive cameras that an average Joe can afford these days. The quality is still there whilst the costs have dropped.

Besides, I have shot nothing but Nikon for 30+ years until getting the M3. Really enjoying a different system with the Leica SLR's... 🙂

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sanmich said:
So you loose metering in manual but retain A mode operation?

Incidentally, it has been asked recently, but why did you choose to go that way?
do you feel the two sumicrons are superior to the best Nikkor contenders (micro 55, 50 f/2, 35 f/2 or 1.4)?
Thanks!
Click to expand...

They meter in manual, stop down, but I see little point as it darkens the finder. I'd rather use them wide, focus then set aperture by click counting. It's quick and easy.
I always liked the look of the pics produced with the 35 and 50 summicrons, however I have a D700 as my main camera and the solution was Leitax.
The only other option was an R8/9 with DMR but as well as being too expensive and crop I would not have been able to use my Nikkors. This way I get to use 'my best' of both systems.
Superior is not how I would describe the R lenses. It's just a different look and one I like.
Wide open, most Nikkors would struggle. There are exceptions and you list 2. The micro 55 2.8 is a nice lens, sharp at 2.8 with nice oof. The 50 AI f2 is the best and sharpest 50 Nikkor I've ever used. Easily as crisp as the Summicron 50 but just doesn't have as much of the 3d quality to the pics as the Leica. I've just sold both Nikkors.
I've kept a few others, the 28 AIS f2.8 a great 28 with no distortion and sharp as a pin at any aperture. A couple of F2 50's. A couple of 1.4 50's, probably sell the early manual focus lens. A 105 AI f2.5 which is amazing on both film and digital, again any aperture and my 24-70 AF, one of Nikons masterpieces.
I've never liked any of Nikons 35's. Too soft wide open for my taste.
I still have a 90 elmarit R to convert and this is a great lens on film so I expect the same on the D700.
I'm finally there with my SLR kit and I'm now looking forward to having a go with an M9 I've aquired. I always liked the pics from the M summicrons and Summilux's on film but I hardly use film anymore hence the M9 so I can use them more.
I'll figure out which set ups I like best and sell the rest on.
I often think how nice it would be to just have one camera, one lens and be done with it but hey, we're only on this planet once!
 
Being a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to Leicas, I always was suspicious of these, thinking they were an odd looking beast. Until the first time I picked one up and used it...... WOW! Silky smooth and glorious. What a machine. Any misgivings I had just flew out the door. And now I even like the look.
 
I think the way they look is sensational ... almost alien! 😀

It reminds me of the first time I saw Bang and Ollufsen hi-fi gear years ago at a sound shop. All the high tech Japanese stuff of the time was space age overkill with lights and dials and sliders in total over abundance 🙄 ... then there was this very plain understated B&O stuff that cost the earth and looked like it had been carved from solid aluminium! 😱
 
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