Now that the MF R is no more

Now that the MF R is no more

  • Yes

    Votes: 112 35.4%

  • No

    Votes: 204 64.6%
  • Total voters
    316
Learnt on an R4, still have an R5 usually coupled with a 35/f2.0 - although it is my girlfriend's favourite camera, so I don't see it very much.

If I could afford it, I'd love both an R6/6.2 and an R9 - though it suffers massive heft, that viewfinder is the best I've ever seen...
 
I seem to be one of a dwindling band of people who not only own an R but actually use it, happily. (I have an R7.) Sure, like any camera it has its shortcomings, but if like me you prefer a film SLR but also want to take advantage of lenses with a Leica signature, there isn't any other choice that I know of. The R7 fits my hand perfectly, is solidly built (heavy, but just a bit more than an M7, for example), gives me a host of metering options including spot, and has a super viewfinder. I use it with the 35 and 50 Summicrons, which to my mind are lovely lenses.

882493670_grurf-M.jpg
 
I'm shooting with a early R3 and using the 60mm macro as a standard lens. It's a nice combination, except for all the excess weight.
 
r6.2

r6.2

Hi, got a r6.2 for a few months fitted with an old summicron 50mm, terrific camera!
Loved it, but since i was building up my m system got rid of it, couldn´t afford two leica outfits!
Besides i can´t focus properly with slr´s

Bye

4518106076_ef34888484_o.jpg
 
I remember the first time I saw an R9 in my local camera shop. My jaw must have been on the ground. 😱

It would have to be one of the most handsome cameras ever made.
 
I have used R5, R6 (quite a long time), R7 and R8. Have had also for some time a Leicaflex SL2 (wonderful finder). On the lenses dept, there are 3 that I have always found to be unsurpassed by any other lens: the latest versions 35/2R and 50/1.4, and the superb Apo-Telyt-R 180/3.4.
I miss these lenses, and if there was a digital non adapted choice to use them with at least the same image quality of the DMR but in a more modern package (ie more compact, speedier, as many MP as the M9, and full frame), I wouldn't doubt to come back to R leica (budget allowing, that is)
 
Leica R3, with a 50mm, only held it and looked through the finder and clicked the shutter a few times. I had considered buying the thing it was so gorgeous and nice to hold. But I didn't do it and bought my my newer Nikon F3hp for about the same money instead. The R3 was not made like my M2 or for that matter like my M4-P.

My opinion is my Nikon F3hp was a far better purchase, I still have it. The R3 was eventually purchased by another friend and has been in the shop a few time since then. Not the F3!
 
Pherdinand said:
i remember seeing an R-something new in 2001-2002-ish in a shop in Aachen first time.
It was horribly ugly!!!
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Must have been an R8, the R line's equivalent of the M5. Not a camera to win a beauty contest among M lovers, but the ergonomics of the body are actually quite excellent.
 
I "broke in" my boss's R9 and tested a couple of 50mm Summicrons on it.

He was unfortunate to purchase this camera and some accessories new a couple of months before the R-system was dropped...

A nice enough camera - very solid and precise-feeling - but huge for a MF non-motorized 35mm SLR; the VF had a rather low magnification, not great coverage and a strange bluish tinge. Gimme an M any day!
 
dof said:
I shot an R9 briefly and have to concur with others comments about its excellent viewfinder. It's actually the best SLR viewfinder I've come across, although I'd have to admit that I haven't used that many.
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I don't want to be a troll, but after a couple of similar comments from a number of people, I just have to set the record straight: The R8/R9 viewfinder is extremely good, yes, but it absolutely pales in comparison to an Olympus OM3/OM-4 viewfinder. I used an R9 for a while, but, as an OM-3Ti user, it did absolutely nothing for me.

It's gigantically chunky for such a manual camera, it's viewfinder is approximately 50% as bright and clear as the olympus finder, and the R8/R9 serious unfortunately has a less than stellar record for reliability - I have heard of more with issues than without.

In terms of the world of 35mm camera viewfinders (size + clarity), the ranking is as such, in my experience (i.e. extensive daily use):

Olympus OM-3Ti > Leica M3 > Leica R9 > Olympus OM-1 > Nikon F
 
The R8/9 were a true high eyepoint viewfinder, similar to the F3HP. Very nice indeed.

I've used a Leicaflex SL, SL Mot, SL2 R6, and R6.2. All nice. I kept only a pair of SLs and a few lenses. Nice change of pace from a rangefinder.
 
KoNickon said:
I have three SLs and an SL2 that I use regularly, with a number of the 2-cam lenses, from 28mm to 180mm. Great stuff; a real pleasure to use and highly recommended. The only irritation for me is the need for series filters, which I haven't yet come across. I expect the Leica ones can be found on eBay, but the few I've seen are pricey.
Click to expand...

B&W still makes series filters.
 
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