R5 or...

[John Bohn]

Bill,

I've been lucky enough to use R cameras from the R4 to the R9/DMR. I like them all but the R6 and R6.2 are my favorite. They are very reliable in the field wherever your fields may be. No electronic troubles to worry about in the all mechanical R6 & R6.2. If you prefer an AE option, the R7 has been great to me.

One Leica R camera that I have yet to work with is an SL2. This is a stunning camera along the lines of working with an M3 during these modern times. The SL2 also makes for a fine self defense tool! Heavy and well balanced. Some research on R lens cams may be needed concerning the SL2.

Enjoy!

JB

[querstrommotor]

I had just a few days ago the same question to answer....

I´m a big fan of the M-system and own 3 Bodies and a couple of lenses, so my idea was to have one R-body with some glass, also, because it is so cheap at the moment.

Not to get the same stuff i already have with my m-system, i picked a zoom (28-70), a 80, 1:1,4, a 24 1:2,8, a 135 and the 180 1:2,8.

I ended up with an RE body, because it was cheaper than the R7, and i do not need any program automatic .
The RE is a very puristic R and it fits perfectly to my m7.

Another dream is a 6 or 6.2 but that is another story, maybe someday...

Greetings
Ekki

[dhpc]

good, easy and cheap

[querstrommotor]

Yes, Dennis that is the shortest description anyone can give - but it is true!!!!!

It is a fantastic little SLR with everything you need for a relaxed photosession.

I Love the Spot Mode in auto and manual - it is one of my biggest dreams to have a spot meter in the M7 and the M8 - maybe a multispot like olympus did with their OM3 and OM4 (both also fantastic SLR´s).

But in the R Cameras it is implemented, just a singel spot but it works great. In the R7 you can use spot metering together with TTL flash - also not bad....

So at the end you have to decide between the R5/RE, the R7 (it is a little bit larger - I mean higher) or the mechanical R6/6.2, which are a fantastic backup bodies to the R5/RE/R7 - you get a little bit M-Feeling with an SLR.

The lenses are also fantastic.
One of my favourite is the 1:1,4 80mm - it is amazing for portrait work - if you like the 75mm Lux in the M-System, than you fall in love with the 80mm.

Also the 180 is a great Lens with a nice bokeh!!!!

The 50mm Lux and Cron as also the 19mm Wide are great Lenses.

I am also satisfied with the 28-70 Zoom and the also not beloved 24mm.....

The zoom is very practical and the performance is good if you do not try to make high end architecture with the 28 or the 70mm focal-length.
Why the 24mm shares such a "reputation" is not clear from my point of view - it is a fantastic lens...

So have fun with your decision...

Ekki