Leica R8 - worthy successor to Leicaflex SL or pass?

[CharlesDAMorgan]

I'm not selling my SL2 (or indeed otherwise disposing of it). It is a jewel beyond compare and an icon of German engineering like the great 70s Benzes (and from experience, much much better built and not inclined to rust).

I've narrowed in on a couple of late R8s in Germany and I have plentiful supplies of sellotape.

 

[Dralowid]

He has the SL2. Not the SL.
The SL2 definitely is not worthless! Good ones go for about $500.

These days the choice between SL and SL2 should primarily be driven by condition rather than extra features. The same could be said for a lot of older devices.

 

[IIIg]

SL2 has a demonstrably more sensitive meter, though I can’t say real world exposure results have ever been better for me with the SL2 than the SL. Normal daylight shooting they are both fine. I don’t use either in dark bars though, where the more low light capable SL2 would be a better bet.

Some people find the SL viewfinder screen more to their liking than the SL2, though they are both excellent, a couple of the best ever. A nice SL is definitely worth the little they go for these days.

And they won’t scratch your film, AFAIK🙂

(I’ve never had an R8 scratch film, for what that’s worth.)

I use both the SL and SL2. I prefer the SL2 indoors because of the split image viewfinder is considerably easier to use in dim light.

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

I've made an offer on a 3rd iteration R8 and will see what happens. I'm entertained by the sheer number of dealers and sellers who really don't want to post a photo of the serial number, but want a top price, one camera even having had the serial number totally scratched out. Twas ever thus.

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

Well, after an enjoyable little haggle, it's on its way from Leica Nuremburg to be with me Thursday.

Thanks for all the advice!

 

[Larry Cloetta]

Well, after an enjoyable little haggle, it's on its way from Leica Nuremburg to be with me Thursday.

Thanks for all the advice!

Congratulations on your new camera, Charles, I think you will enjoy it. I have dealt with Leica Nuremburg before, camera will most likely be honestly represented.
To me, the R8 was the direct successor to the SL2, as odd as that sounds, in terms of the viewfinder clarity, and the general user experience and feel of the camera. Neither is the least bit wispy🙂

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

Thanks Larry - your conclusion was backed up by my film photography guru, Keith Moss, who said he really regretted selling his R8 (at the outset of digital) and that it is a brilliant camera to use and enjoy.

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

The R8 from Nuremberg Leica arrived yesterday but lacking CR2 batteries, so after a bit of a hunt today, found some and found the camera to absolutely beautiful, but seemingly stuck in T mode. Then I flipped the mirror lock up selector back and lo, what a beauty. Gorgeous viewfinder, sharp as anything once I used the diopter adjustment (please why so many cameras without this!), lovely to hold and fondle. Mine is in exceptional condition - I've found but one tiny mark on the mode selector, and the thing seems to be so dense that it could be made of depleted uranium. Next job, fit the strap and take it out.

The looks are unconventional, but it works ergonomically. I'm officially in love...

 

[Pál_K]

Yeah mine is no garage queen...

Good - you're using it as intended, making good photos, and getting your money's worth out of it.

I, however, am guilty. I was transfixed by its display and I have a fetish for the R-series program mode bias feature.

However, I absolutely love using my Leicaflex SL's.

(old photos below, the cameras do have straps now that I'm using them)

 

[GarageBoy]

I love the viewfinder display, but the rest of the camera was not my cup of tea... Enjoy yours!

 

[Rayt]

The R8 and R9 oozes quality but are absolutely huge and in my mind unnecessarily huge given so many high quality film SLRs exist at a much smaller package. Moreover the winder is very useful but add additional girth and weight. Without the winder and to wind on the film manually would require some "handling" and the weight along with the lens just becomes more of a burden.

 

[Huss]

The R8 and R9 oozes quality but are absolutely huge and in my mind unnecessarily huge given so many high quality film SLRs exist at a much smaller package. Moreover the winder is very useful but add additional girth and weight. Without the winder and to wind on the film manually would require some "handling" and the weight along with the lens just becomes more of a burden.

I disagree. The haptics and handling are great on these cameras and everything is in the perfect spot. I also have the motordrive but pretty much just to impress the kids...

 

[james.liam]

I disagree. The haptics and handling are great on these cameras and everything is in the perfect spot. I also have the motordrive but pretty much just to impress the kids...

Agreed. Really beautiful body and built to tight specs. Despite the appearance of heft, its haptics are second to none and fit nicely in one's hands.

The R8 I found at KEH just over a year ago, very late model (277xxxx) virtually unused & with the R8 Motor drive included for $575.

Also found the charger for another $25 and had the battery cells upgraded for about $90. Has worked flawlessly ever since.

 

[Pál_K]

Also agree on haptics and size. It handles well and fits my hands. I suppose I like larger cameras - preferring the M5 to M3, for example.

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

I have carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands and certain shapes just don't work for me - hence disposal of the D700 and why I'm less fond of the R7 - it needs gripping more as it's thin. Whereas the SL2 and the R8 seem to fit perfectly and are not a trial. It's also among the reasons I love the M5.

All are a bit heavy though around the neck. Time to redeploy my Optech Hasselblad strap!

 

[Huss]

I'm wondering if people who complain about the handling have actually used one? Or just saw it in pics and/or parroted what other people have said who also never actually used one.
It is the best handling 35mm sir that I own. Others that I own include all the Nikon F series (except the F5), the FM2n, FE2, Minoltas, Pentaxes..

 

[Dralowid]

I'm wondering if people who complain about the handling have actually used one? Or just saw it in pics and/or parroted what other people have said who also never actually used one.

And if the equipment is currently 'unfashionable' you hear nothing on the internet.

For example I have yet to hear anyone have anything good (or bad) to say about the handling of the SL/SL2 with Leicamotor attached!

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

In the scheme of things an SL with Leicamotor has to be one of the more recondite choices to be reviewed!

I am genuinely happy to have stuff avoid the attention of the analogue cultists, at least until I own it, thereafter I care rather less. But I do find their obsession with certain setups to be hilariously herd like, as though the act of individuality in preferring film to the digital conformists can only go quite so far...

 

[Dralowid]

Nothing I enjoy more than something a bit obscure or obtuse.

I have a curious hankering for the R's digital back despite a complete lack of knowledge about the device...which makes me ideally suited to write an internet review...

 

[Doug]

Considering obscurity, how about the Leica S series? Not many here seem to use it or speak of it. Generally resembles the R8/R9 and may be considered a descendant of those, or maybe ascendant, only a little larger... 🙂
jcrutcher and I seem to be the only ones posting pics from this rig in the Gallery.