The Leica R-E, is it worth it?

[holmes]

Have a chance to pick up a mint in box R-E complete as boxed. I thought I would also grab the 70-210 f4 to go along with it. The lens is also mint in the box. Now my question(s) is, how good is the R-E? Also how good is the 70-210 f4?
I have no experience with Leica's R system. I have my 3 Ms, M6-ttl 0.58, M7-0.58 and M7-0.72. I couple the M's with my 28 f2 asph, 35 f2 asph and my 75 f1.4. I'm thinking that an R-E and zoom would complement the M's by providing me the longer focal ranges.
Any thoughts or opinions? Thanks in advance. Holmes

[andybarton]

I don't know about the R-E, but I have the 70 - 210 f4 (if that's the "Made in Japan", Minolta lens).

It's exceptional value for money, in my opinion. Sharp and clear. Only downside is that the front lens rotates when focussing, so polarising filters and ND grads are a "challenge".

[jlancasterd]

My first R-series was an RE - bought as a package with the first type of 28-70 Vario-Elmarit (The Sigma version). It is an excellent camera - very similar to the R4s, although it is in fact an R5 without some of that camera's more advanced features.

John Dobson

[hiddenplace]

I have both R3 and RE. The RE is my first Leica camera I'm very satisfy with the accuracy and reliability of my RE. However it lacks of one of the most import feature - AE lock. It exist in R3 but seems Leica removed this feature since R4.

[ozdoba]

Originally Posted by holmes

Have a chance to pick up a mint in box R-E complete as boxed. I thought I would also grab the 70-210 f4 to go along with it.

"Yes" to the first, "perhaps" to the second. (I am not enthusiastic about zoom
lenses in general; and, as a previous poster already mentioned, this is a
Minolta-Leica lens.)

The R-E is a fine camera.
If Leica had been consistent in naming their camera models, it should have been called
R5s, as it is in fact a slightly downsized R5.
(You find some technical details on my website.)
I own an R-E, and I usually carry it with me as the "backup body" together with an
R6.2 and an R8.
It's not too heavy, easy to operate, and extremely reliable.
Go for it - you won't regret it!

Chris

[brunom]

Don't know about the body but the 70-210 is a fine lens, and focuses very close[ 1:4 I believe?] A great bargain, very useful and very good optically, unless you really need the ultimate in performance.

Bruno

[cwcs]

Originally Posted by hiddenplace

I have both R3 and RE. The RE is my first Leica camera I'm very satisfy with the accuracy and reliability of my RE. However it lacks of one of the most import feature - AE lock. It exist in R3 but seems Leica removed this feature since R4.

I believe R4 has AE-lock for spot metering in Aperture-priority auto-exposure mode, you need to lightly press the shutter release until the meter diode does out.

[hiddenplace]

Originally Posted by cwcs

I believe R4 has AE-lock for spot metering in Aperture-priority auto-exposure mode, you need to lightly press the shutter release until the meter diode does out.

cwcs, yes, you are right. i did some searches with google and found AE-lock do exist in R4 to R7. however AE-lock doesn't work at my R-E. is my R-E need a service?

[colorbox]

Originally Posted by jlancasterd

My first R-series was an RE - bought as a package with the first type of 28-70 Vario-Elmarit (The Sigma version). It is an excellent camera - very similar to the R4s, although it is in fact an R5 without some of that camera's more advanced features.

John Dobson

Indeed the R-E is excellent and very robust.
Kind regards

[leicaflex]

Andy..can you post some photos taken with your F4.0 70mm -210mm?

Thanks , JRM

[andybarton]

With pleasure...

When the R8 comes back from its extended vacation in Europe.

[andybarton]

John

My lens is actually the 75 - 200, f4.5 "Minolta" one, and I apologise for my error in the original post above.

I haven't taken many with the lens, I will admit, but here are a couple that were posted back in the "good old days", partly to test the lens, and partly to demonstrate to certain parties that scanning of T-Max film was perfectly possible.



I ought to use it more often. I reckon it's a little cracker.

This was hand-held, wide open at 1/30 and at full zoom, IIRC. The enlarged part of the clock is a 100% post, not further zoomed. I can't have had enough coffee during my meetings that morning

(This is Tewkesbury Abbey, btw)

[wda]

You are very lucky to find the specimen you quote. For some time I have been keeping half an eye open for one and have only seen well-worn samples. Go for it! Can't comment on the lens; it depends what you intend using the camera for.

David

[chengwu]

Originally Posted by hiddenplace

however AE-lock doesn't work at my R-E. is my R-E need a service?

I remember when I first learnt the AE-lock mode on R4, it took me quite a few tries to find out it was there, I was using either too light pressure or too heavy and tripped the shutter, finaly I got it, just slowly and lightly press the shutter until the diode goes out, may be give it another try?

[hiddenplace]

Originally Posted by chengwu

I remember when I first learnt the AE-lock mode on R4, it took me quite a few tries to find out it was there, I was using either too light pressure or too heavy and tripped the shutter, finaly I got it, just slowly and lightly press the shutter until the diode goes out, may be give it another try?

thanks for your tips. i tried again to press it slightly heavier than "half press" the shutter. the AE-lock really works.