Trying out the Leica R8

[Mudman]

I just picked this up last week, complete with the 100mm f2.8 APO macro for a very reasonable price. I've got the 50mm Summicron on the way, and a converter from DAG to use them both on my m(240). The 50mm is coming attached to an R4s, which will probably get moved down the road to offset the cost of the lens.

I'm still getting used to the camera, but it's a joy to shoot with, if a little large for some. It fits my large hands perfectly and with little to no fatigue. Just finished my first roll of film in it.

Any other R shooters out there? The lenses feel phenomenal. Very well damped.

 

[steveyork]

The three cam 50mm Summicron R is roughly equivalent to the 4th/5th generation M mount Summicron. Which is to say it is very good. I have no experience with the macro other then the 60 Elmarit, which is another iconic lens from the R line. I always felt the R8/R9 were great ergonomic cameras, but only played with them at dealers when they were in production. I owned an R7 for a summer, it was ok, in an F3 type of way, but over many years put hundreds and hundreds of rolls through several Leicaflex SL, which ranks up there as one of my favorite cameras. Great viewfinders, and super well damped shutter. Still have a few in the house along with a basic 35-50-90 outfit. As with most SLRs, their bigger and heavier then rangefinders.

 

[Huss]

Ya I use the RE, R7, R8 and R9.
They all are very sweet and the R8/9 are imo the best film 35mm sirs made. I also have a Nikon F6 and others to compare them to.

Get the 35-70 f4 zoom (not the 3.5). It is superb.

Here is my R8 with the camera that inspired its design. The Zenit actually came out a few years before the Leica!

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

I picked up a very nice late R8 from Leica Nuremburg recently and I think it's superb. Lovely ergonomics, handling and super metering. The R lenses I know to be stunning, but to try my recent Super Angulon 21mm F4 I used the Leicaflex SL2 as the viewfinder is brighter.

I must do a photo of it!

 

[analoged]

That APO Elmarit is one of my favorites!

 

[David Hughes]

Ya I use the RE, R7, R8 and R9.
They all are very sweet and the R8/9 are imo the best film 35mm sirs made. I also have a Nikon F6 and others to compare them to.

Get the 35-70 f4 zoom (not the 3.5). It is superb.

Here is my R8 with the camera that inspired its design. The Zenit actually came out a few years before the Leica!

And the Zenit was based on the Zorki with a mirror box and most of the Zenits have the innards pretty much the same...


Regards, David

 

[Huss]

And the Zenit was based on the Zorki with a mirror box and most of the Zenits have the innards pretty much the same...


Regards, David

Soooo you're saying the Leica R8 is based on a Zorki?

😀

My 212K does have a much brighter screen than my TTL or 12SD. And a much improved shutter that goes all the way down to 1/8 sec! The others can only manage 1/30 sec

 

[Pál_K]

Clearly, the Leica R8 is based on the Exakta 500 (Exa II). I'm going cheap with the f/3.5 lens.

 

[f.hayek]

Here is my R8 with the camera that inspired its design (the Zenit SLR). The Zenit actually came out a few years before the Leica!

Is that your personal theory or have you read it somewhere?

 

[Huss]

Is that your personal theory or have you read it somewhere?

I read it here:

https://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2941984&postcount=3

The Zenit came out in 1994

http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Zenit_212k

The Leica R8 came out in 1996

https://camerapedia.fandom.com/wiki/Leica_R8

 

[Huss]

Clearly, the Leica R8 is based on the Exakta 500 (Exa II). I'm going cheap with the f/3.5 lens.

Not melty looking enough.

 

[f.hayek]

I read it here:

https://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2941984&postcount=3

The Zenit came out in 1994

http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Zenit_212k

The Leica R8 came out in 1996

https://camerapedia.fandom.com/wiki/Leica_R8

So, a personal revelation.

 

[fbf]

i can't think of a reason why you want to use the R lenses on your rf digital Ms.

 

[Huss]

So, a personal revelation.

so, no sense of fun

 

[Huss]

i can't think of a reason why you want to use the R lenses on your rf digital Ms.

because u have them?

 

[Mudman]

i can't think of a reason why you want to use the R lenses on your rf digital Ms.

Macro photography isn't so easy with a rangefinder typically. And all of my 50s for the Leica are from the 1950's or earlier. I'm curious as to the difference between them so I can see if I want to take the plunge on a newer M lens for my 50mm use. I got the 50mm 3 cam R for $300 or so plus the camera body. Can you point me to a V4 or V5 M mount Summicron in the same price point?

This 100mm apo, my 28mm Elmarit M, and the upcoming 50mm Summicron are my most modern designs for my Leica. I'd love to pick up a super wide and be able to use on either camera as well. The R lens versions are less expensive with the same quality and look. I can scale focus a 21mm.

 

[Godfrey]

I have and use both a Leicaflex SL and a Leica R6.2. My lens kit includes:

• Super-Elmar-R 15mm
• Elmarit-R 19mm v1
• Elmarit-R 28mm
• Summicron & Summilux 50mm
• Macro-Elmarit-R 60mm
• Summicron-R 90mm
• Macro-Elmar-R 100mm + Focusing Bellows-R
• Elmarit-R 135mm
• Elmar-R 180mm
• 2x Extender-R
• Macro Adapter-R

I tend to use the lenses on the Leica CL digital more than on the Leica R-mount SLRs (purely because I really don't shoot much 35mm film these days); they're all excellent on both FF film, and both FF and APS-C digital bodies.

When I had the M-P typ 240, I used them on that too with the Visoflex EVF. But to me the ergonomics of these lenses does not suit the RF body very well. they work better on the SL/SL2 and CL in terms of handling.

G

 

[Mudman]

I have and use both a Leicaflex SL and a Leica R6.2. My lens kit includes:

• Super-Elmar-R 15mm
• Elmarit-R 19mm v1
• Elmarit-R 28mm
• Summicron & Summilux 50mm
• Macro-Elmarit-R 60mm
• Summicron-R 90mm
• Macro-Elmar-R 100mm + Focusing Bellows-R
• Elmarit-R 135mm
• Elmar-R 180mm
• 2x Extender-R
• Macro Adapter-R

I tend to use the lenses on the Leica CL digital more than on the Leica R-mount SLRs (purely because I really don't shoot much 35mm film these days); they're all excellent on both FF film, and both FF and APS-C digital bodies.

When I had the M-P typ 240, I used them on that too with the Visoflex EVF. But to me the ergonomics of these lenses does not suit the RF body very well. they work better on the SL/SL2 and CL in terms of handling.

G

I'll be honest, I stopped looking at cameras and reviews after buying my M(240) 2.5 years ago. The SL has my attention though as the prices used seem fairly reasonable comparatively speaking. If I had enough R glass (and if M glass works on it) I could potentially switch from Nikon almost completely for work.

 

[Mudman]

What's the consensus on the 28-70 f3.5-4.5?

 

[fbf]

i think using leica M digital for macro work is absurd but thats my own person opinion. I use sony a7iii for macro work . I also use hawk /cv adapter with close focus for leica M lenses. It's so much easier to focus on sony a7iii.
the Leica SL on the other hand is great for manual focus / macro work. The live view and screen is amazing.
Again, my personal 2 cent. You do whatever works for you.
Happy shooting.