What's The Deal With Leica R4 and R5's?

At least the R4 had a reputation of camera shake from the shutter. The R5 was considered a good camera, albeit a minolta knock off.
 
When an X-700 (or X500/570 or X300/370) fails, it is almost always a capacitor that is easily replaced. Otherwise, the electronics are quite reliable.

- Murray
But not everyone wants to go through the expense of getting one fixed , nor have the knowledge to DIY. And if you replace one capacitor, you might as well replace all five while you are at it, so that drives up the cost. Darned little blue tantalums!

PF
 
But not everyone wants to go through the expense of getting one fixed , nor have the knowledge to DIY. And if you replace one capacitor, you might as well replace all five while you are at it, so that drives up the cost. Darned little blue tantalums!

PF

I understand your point, but I still hate to take a potentially functioning camera out of circulation and send it to the landfill.

- Murray
 
I understand your point, but I still hate to take a potentially functioning camera out of circulation and send it to the landfill.

- Murray

Exactly, and the camera will have been checked by an expert and so good for another 10 or 20 years. And they don't cost much to repair anyway...

BTW, I once thought I had that condenser problem and the technician sniffed the camera and a couple of days later it was ready and working but he said it didn't have a condenser; so I guess the mechanisms vary.

Regards, David
 
I don't know about the R series but have had an SL MOT since the days when people actually used them. Lovely big lump. Of course it continues to work.

Have sold the 560mmm but still have 21 SA and 65 macro lens (forgotten its name and my son has nicked it)

I should add that I got the SL primarily to do things that the M couldn't (well at least easily). Also at the time a 21mm SA R was a whole lot cheaper than the M version and probably still is.
 
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Have a now sort of ancient R5 with 24/35/macro 55/ and 135...solid as a rock. wonderful high relief finder that lets me shoot with glasses. Huge chunk of camera to haul around but fine results..a joy to use in relief from the rangefinders...imagine all the lenses focus to 12 inches! that alone makes it a standout...enjoy
 
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