Trying out the Leica R8

[phofseth]

I agree that some controls need frequent use before easily accessed, but the controls of my digital Olympus Pen F are far worse, they operate on their own so as to confuse the entire process. If my heavy R lenses require a steady grip on the body, the central focus and spotmetering point moves to the edge of the frame. Also while with a compact M lens it will fit in a pocket, the exposure compensation wheel will move to plus or minus 2 stops when taking it out again. Nothing like that happens with my Leica R-8 or 9 bodies.

As a mitigating factor, the Olympus has a moveable sensor and accelerometers that in principle compensates for camera shake (at least- when it occasionally works and does not on its own decide to compensate for 9mm instead of 180mm).


p.

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

I've been using the R8 a lot in the last few weeks. I love the heft and have had next to no problems with image sharpness even when using longer lenses, but it stays at home if I'm taking another camera out (I'll use my Fuji XH1 for colour) and replaced by the R7 as it is just a bit too heavy.

It would help if I could narrow my lens choice down from the 21mm, 35, 50, 80 and one of the 135 or 180s I take...

 

[Pál_K]

As transfixed as I became over the R-series biasing program mode, the funny thing is that I've never found an occasion to use it.

90% of the time I'm in either aperture priority mode or manual mode.

If I were shooting sports (where I usually take my D700), then I'd choose shutter priority.

I suppose the occasions I'd use the program mode would be in gatherings of friends or car-club members.
That's where I'll mostly be doing snapshot style people photos. I'd use my 35-70 R lens, switch to program mode, and set the shutter dial to 1/60 (based on lighting, lens would stay wide open up to 1/60, then would stop down as required speeds increase). However, these days there obviously hasn't been any social activities.

I've never used the flash mode because I don't have a Leica flash or an adapter.

 

[Mudman]

Trying out the Leica R8

Sadly did not get to use the R8 during a shoot for a music shop today (owner was having a bad day, so we kept it quick), but that 100mm macro on the m240 was a welcome addition. Sure it is a kludge, but for a couple of quick shots in the middle of a shoot, it is a welcome one.

 

[Mudman]

Just got a bunch of film developed! Here are a few from the R8.