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
SL2, R6.2, Elmarit 28 II, Summicron 35, Macro Elmarit 60. I 'll use them for as long as they function and there is support to keep them going from Leica or film available. The lenses are a delight, I am besotted with the old Summicron-R 35. Who knows, with the system rumoured to be 'orphaned' there may be a few lens deals available soon.
 
SH Photo (Germany) apparently bought all existing factory R stock for a song- selling new, full warranty R gear for 50% off list.

Owned and R8+motorgrip. Best ergos and VF I've ever used. Bloody #$%^ designed film pressure roller (actually a stupid plastic ramp) scratched the first 3-4 images on every roll (common R8/9 issue). But other than that, was sweet.
 
R9 + Dmr

R9 + Dmr

I had this combination and many of Leica's best lenses, but it was not a happy combination, for me. Inconsistent white balance, the occasional freeze, and not weather proof (essential for some of my work, like shooting harvesting equipment in forests, while operating). Focussing errors with the DMR, which I wrote about extensively on Fred's site about testing a Brightscreen vs. the standard screen for this camera, were the last straw.

I got a D3, then a D700; Nikon's best zooms, and am satisfied on the work front.
 
When the Leicaflex SL2 came out, I got to play with one for a bit, and almost decided to ditch what I was using at the time and get a minimalist system with a single SL2 body and three or four lenses (whichever number I thought I could afford over a short stretch. Never did it: I was too hung up on motor drives, and wasn't crazy about the dedicated MOT body ("If I want 'dedicated', I'll buy a Minolta XK Motor" was how I more-or-less responded at the time). But the SL2 was a sweet camera.

I agree with people about the R8/9: wasn't sure about the look at first, but holding it and looking through that VF told the true tale. Of course, I don't "do" SLRs much anymore.


- Barrett
 
Helen as Nymph.jpg

My daugther Helen, when aged 9, taken with an R3 and 50 Summicron at f2.8 - the outfit also includes a 28/2.8 and a 180/4, the entire outfit from new, in Safari livery.
 
Last edited:
I have an R9 and it does have the nicest viewfinder i have ever come across. My F6 is terrific but the R9 viewfinder takes the cake.

I love the ergonomics except for two things, the shutter position and the strap lug position. I find both to be very uncomfortable and a bit awkward to use.

That said, the camera is one great looking and operating machine 🙂

Kent
 
I had an R8, with 35/2, 50/2, 85/1.4. It's been a few years, though, and i don't remember the viewfinder as being as sensational as noted in this thread. Maybe i need to check one out again. I now have a R7 with 28/2.8 and 50/2. Nice stuff, but i kinda like the feel of my FE2 a bit more. Not sure, though.... I'll have to hold on to it a while longer to figure it out.

The R8/R9 are fantastic bodies. If you've never tried one because you were put off by the aesthetics/design, you owe it to yourself to try to put that aside. I thought, for a long time, that they were hideous and unwieldy. Then, eventually, i held one. Shortly afterward, i bought one and still admire it. I do think, however, there's no real excuse for a body that size not having an integral motor winder.... Why couldn't it have one as quiet as a Hexar AF? Slow and quiet would still have been better than manual, and would still have the option of a faster add-on grip/booster. Oh, well. Too late now.
 
Last year I wanted to try a Leica SLR and after playing with an R4 and R6.2 in a local shop, I bought a demo R4 "EVEREST 82" from eBay. The camera arrived and had a defect of the mechanical shutter times display (the cover didn't remove completely when changing between the modes). I returend the camera, got a full refund and luckily could also sell the Summicron-R 50 for the same price that I had bought for the camera.

I still want to test a SL2, though. Seems to be more rugged (and closer to the M-design) ...
 
People forget - or were not around - that at one time the Leicaflex was considered a great camera with superb lenses ('the reason to get the Leicaflex' as the saying went) that basically didn't have the bells and whistles of a Nikon but also the Pros couldn't afford. Equal to the Leica-M in quality and workmanship. Even Ansel Adams had an R-Leica. I finally got my 'flex' system when I needed that SLR 35mm, a used SL and a new SL2, 'ungraded' to the R-system with some great lenses 2.8/280, 400mm, 60mm... Sold it all when I didn't need it. Years later got another SL just for fun - the best flex ever - and sold that too a couple years ago when it came time to just have and use RFs.

I've thought of an R8/9 but just can't justify it, more [duplicate] lenses, size, and expense/need. But its kind of sad to see Leica discontinue the line. Kind of a prelude to how I will feel when the time comes and the making of the film M is also in the past tense.
 
I have R5 and R6. I had an R4 but could not get along with the method of displaying shutter speeds in the finder. I could never see the speed, so never knew what I was shooting at.

I like the diopter adjustment in my finders. The Leica R finders are clearer than my Nikons. I do not like the slow, sluggish mirror action. My Nikons are much more responsive. One way to overcome this is to use the motor drive on the Leicas. Then they become quite snappy!

I use the 24mm Elmarit; 28mm Elmarit; 35mm Summicron, E55 version; 50mm Summicron, E55; 60mm Elmarit; 90mm Elmarit, first version; 135mm Elmarit; 180mm APO-Telyt. I also have the 35-70mm ASPH zoom. I used to have the 28-70, and I kind of miss it. And I have the 90 Summicron, which I though I would sell after buying the Elmarit; but am having a hard time parting with it.

I picked up an R8 (to look at, not meaning I bought it) a few months ago. It seemed a little big and clunky. Not that I couldn't bond with it under the right circumstances, but it didn't happen that day.

My Nikon lenses are probably just as sharp, but I find something magical in the color I get with the Leica R lenses. I'm always pleased when I get my slides back.

I've never thought that the Leica R bodies were quite right, except for the finders, which I love; I keep the cameras for their lenses. The bodies themselves do not feel as right in my hands as my Nikon bodies.

So: that's it. I've spoken my piece. I hope they will come out with the digital R and revive the lens line. They are fine lenses!
 
Used a Leicaflex SL, R8 and R9. The R8 was slightly heavier then the R9 but they're essentially the same. Great ergonomics and lenses. Just heavier than what I like about the Leica RFs. I just prefer the compactness and lightness of the RF system.

The SL felt like an M SLR; all mechanical with a tactile feel during shutter release. The VF was also excellent compared to other SLRs. If they released a SL3 I'd buy one with the 50 lux E60 and the 19 Elmarit V2. 😎
 
Gabriel M.A. said:
That is the lens I have, yes. There are Rollei-to-Canon adapters out there; I have a "cheap" one that is on the lens permanently (because it's just so difficult to put it on and off all the time). I love the lens.
Click to expand...


I guess, you mean a Rollei to EOS adapter. My Chinese made adapter lasted 15 minutes before some metal piece fell off and it broke. What make adapter did you get?
 
R4 w/Summicron 50 BW400CN:

e_borders.jpg


lovely and affordable camera, superb lens!
 
PS I like the styling of the R4-7... kind of a "modern classic" look that appeals to me. When my R4 dies I'm pretty sure I will replace it with an R6 or R6.2.
 
I've used a few: SL, SL2, R4, R5, RE, R6.2, R7, R8, R9. Favorite is R9. Still have it and a whole bunch of lenses. But I'm shooting mostly digital these days, and I never got into the digital back. Waiting for that elusive R10. Meanwhile as I get older the more compact M system sure has advantages. Guess I'm a bipolar Leica slut. :bang:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom