The right Film SLR next to Leica M6ttl. R6 or FM2/FM3a

[Roel]

Hi guys,

I am looking for mechanical SLR to use next to my Leica M film bodies. Sometimes in the same bag and same projects. So i thought about Leica R glass.

Had a Eos3 quit on me cause of empty battery. No pics whatsoever. So Mechanical shutter is what i want.

Thinking about the R6(.2) with a 60mm and 28mm.

However i just handled a R3 and R4 yesterday and the R4 had much more shutter lag. Reading about it i come across some mentioning about shutter lag on the R6(.2) also..

If the R6 would have the shutter lag of the r4 I experienced i would not want to buy it. Not sure if the specific camera needed a cla.

Can any of the users confirm the R6 shutter is nice and responsive and can compare with the M system or is it there a real lag to be expected (even if CLAed recently) with the R6(.2)??

Or should i look for F3/fm3a and have the R-glass converted. And njoy also some other Nikon lens gems out there)


So what in your perspective would be the best choice if i want to have a solid and responsive SLR solution next to and comparable to the M6ttl and M5 or already have and Njoy.

 

[zuiko85]

Don't SLR's by nature have a longer shutter lag? And image black out?
(Except for the Canon Pellix and Canon EOS-1N RS which both had fixed pellicle mirrors. Canon says the shutter lag on the RS is .006 second.)
But with a mirror that has to move out of the way and stop down linkage that has to stop down the lens before the shutter can start to travel then mechanical SLR's will be at a inherent disadvantage over a M5 or M6.

PS; Forgot the EOS RT from 1989 also had a fixed semi-transparent mirror and shutter lag of .008 sec. according to Canon's specs.

PSS; Canon also made versions of the F-1 and later New F-1 with a high speed MD and fixed mirror.

 

[Roel]

True but on the Fm3a i once had the delay was not a problem. The R4 i tried yesterday had a lag so long I would not buy that camera for that alone. So within the category SLR there is a big difference.

Don't SLR's by nature have a longer shutter lag? And image black out?
(Except for the Canon Pellix and Canon EOS-1N RS which both had fixed pellicle mirrors. Canon says the shutter lag on the RS is .006 second.)
But with a mirror that has to move out of the way and stop down linkage that has to stop down the lens before the shutter can start to travel then mechanical SLR's will be at a inherent disadvantage over a M5 or M6.

PS; Forgot the EOS RT from 1989 also had a fixed semi-transparent mirror and shutter lag of .008 sec. according to Canon's specs.

PSS; Canon also made versions of the F-1 and later New F-1 with a high speed MD and fixed mirror.

 

[zuiko85]

True but on the Fm3a i once had the delay was not a problem. The R4 i tried yesterday had a lag so long I would not buy that camera for that alone. So within the category SLR there is a big difference.

Then why not get another FM 3a? Or are you looking for a SLR that uses Leica lenses. Then that would limit you to Leicaflex, from the first model to the last. If you want an all mechanical camera then that would limit you to the original Leicaflex series, before they got into the R series (co-developed with Minolta for the early R models) I'm not sure from your original post whether sticking with Leica lenses is a requirement or just a preference.

Not sure if many companies published shutter delay specifications for their all mechanical cameras. The companies certainly knew the figures but I have not seen them in their advertising.

Just checked pricing on FM3a bodies, pricy little beast but I guess they have a good reputation.

 

[p.giannakis]

If you want an R series mechanical Leica then it is only the R6(2). The rest have electronic shutters. Maybe the older SL series would be another option.

 

[p.giannakis]

. Canon says the shutter lag on the RS is .006 second.)
.

That is half the truth, I had an Rs. It was .006 sec ONCE focus was achieved, aperture closed to the selected value and the shutter went to the 'ready' position.

 

[zuiko85]

If you want an R series mechanical Leica then it is only the R6(2). The rest have electronic shutters. Maybe the older SL series would be another option.

Ah, It's been so long I had forgotten the R6 was mechanical, nice looking update to the Leicaflex SL.

 

[Dralowid]

Nothing wrong with the SL...

 

[Larry Cloetta]

After having Leitaxed a couple of R lenses for use on Nikon bodies, I quickly went back to using them as they were intended, on Leica bodies, for a variety of reasons which might just be personal preferences, mostly the viewfinders. FWIW, I much preferred to use either the Leicaflex SL or SL2 or R8 bodies to the 6.2, though the R8 is not fully mechanical, if that matters. There is really no way to know what will suit a given photographer best without actually owning and using the various options, or at least borrowing something for an extended period. It's the only way. Other's opinions are interesting, and worth hearing, but that's about it. There is nothing quite like a nice SL2. The 6.2 certainly isn't, though if one only looks at a spec sheet, it might seem the nicer choice. Using them both side by side tells a different story.

 

[giganova]

R4 was my first camera and I still think it is one of the best SLR ever built. Problem is that the electronics will break up at some point. I had three R4s and they all failed. I'd rather get an R6.

But I don't understand why you would want three different systems (Leica RF, Nikon SLR, another differed SLR).

 

[Roel]

R4 was my first camera and I still think it is one of the best SLR ever built. Problem is that the electronics will break up at some point. I had three R4s and they all failed. I'd rather get an R6.

But I don't understand why you would want three different systems (Leica RF, Nikon SLR, another differed SLR).

Thank you. I want to go to one system. Leica Glass. I have my M6tl (+m9) and will stick to it. I want to add film SLR. Leica R glass cause i think it will be the same family image wise.

Question is: Do i get a Leica R6 body with that glass or are the also mechanical Nikon fM2/FM3a better bodies to shoot with leitaxed R glas (R 60mm macro and R 28mm f2.8)

Is the R6 body nice and snappy (shutter wise) or are the Nikons much more responsive and a better choice because of that. (Have not had the chance to handle the R6 unfortunately, but i have handled the Nikon FM2/Fm3a)

 

[x-ray]

You're concerned about shutter delay but you're considering using adapted R glass that has to be manually stopped down, correct?

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I have tried several SLRs, most of them were mechanical. Never made more than ten rolls with any of them. Because SLRs, including R are not Leica, nor Bessa and not even Zorki...
IMOE. Njoy, indeed.

 

[Roel]

You're concerned about shutter delay but you're considering using adapted R glass that has to be manually stopped down, correct?

You are totally right and that was a thing i didn't consider yet!

Guess the question remains if the R6 responsive enough for my feelings. Or decide to go Nikon camera and glass all the way.

 

[BillBingham2]

SL2 & 180/3.4

M6 with 50 and wider

B2 (;->

 

[giganova]

The R glass isn't really much better than Nikon glass. If I were you, I'd go with FM2 and AI-S lenses. Killer combo!

 

[giganova]

Is the R6 body nice and snappy (shutter wise) or are the Nikons much more responsive and a better choice because of that. (Have not had the chance to handle the R6 unfortunately, but i have jangled the Nikon FM2/Fm3a)

The shutter of the R bodies is much more quiet and pleasant than that of the FM2. Here is my experience:

Medium Format: people duck when you hit the shutter, others laugh
Nikon FM2: people turn around to you
Leica R: most people won't notice
Leica M: after you exposed a roll of film, people will ask "When are you gonna take a picture?"

 

[dof]

I use an M6, an R6 and an FM2, each with native lenses. The shutter on the R6 feels less responsive relative to the others in part due to the travel of the release mechanism. That can be tuned by a repair person to a degree, but even taking the mirror travel out of the equation, it's a different design than the release on the M6. The FM2 feels "snappier" than the R6 for sure. Again though, that's using Nikon lenses.

The Nikon pairs well with the M6 in regard to size and weight. The R6 is a heavier and slightly larger camera whose fit and finish is a far closer cousin to the rangefinder Leica.

After shooting the FM2 for 32 years and the R6 for 10, my preference has landed on the R6.

 

[leicapixie]

My main concern using Nikon with Leica is all the opposite directions!
Mismatching Leica bayonet never happens, but Nikon can be jammed fitting lens wrong way..
My opinion is use glass designed and MADE for a body.
Nikkors to Nikon: Leica-R to Leica SLR:
I never, ever used Nikons with my Leicas.
All SLR have a slight delay compared to M response.
It is there and by practice taken into account.
The Leica R4 are known for unreliability in electronics.
I see as I use old cameras, electronics are the famous Achilles Heel!
RF for quick response, SLR see beautifully.

 

[a.noctilux]

If I had to choose, it's Nikon FM2 with Nikkor AI lenses,
or Leicaflex SL/SL2 if Leica R lenses are to be used.