[overgaardcom]

I started out with R4 and now use R8 and SL as the pair for most R assignments.

The R8 is a fantastic camera that really becomes part of you. But at the same time a large camera (at least with motor drive as mine) so that unnoticed photography is quite impossible with that camera.

The SL cameras are build like tanks and just feels very uncomplicated and great in every way. Motor on those is not a real possibility as the motor for a SL is bigger than the camera itself (and often expensive as its collectors item). But the SL is ofen available at reasonable price. I usually say that my SL "has a feel of a Leica M" which I guess says it all. But at the same time has the features of a SLR with the precise preview in the viewer.

Having said all this, I must admit that when I pick up my R4 it's a really nice and reliable camera. The viewfidnder is brigh enough (as any Nikon), its sturdy and all - it simply works. Only thing about the R4 is that it's known for unreliable electronics. Which means, that at some stage, the electronics is likely to go down completely. It's not so that some days it works, some days it don't. It either works all the time, or the camera brakes down.

As for the possibility I simlpy decided that that was an okay chance to take. The R4 camera is usually priced in a range so that if it works, it's a great buy. If it breakes down one day, one can afford to buy a new one. It's not a big deal but probably the only real problem one can come up with with that camea (why you see it mentioned all over).

As for weater I don't know. I never hesitate bringing my cameras out in dust, snow or rain. Only sand I try to stay away from.

The R3 I have never really used, mainly because it felt bigger than the R4 and I had both to choose from. So I always used the R4. But also because you have to turn the R3 camera on and off. Which means you easily loose a battery.