Which Leica R?

[JohnGregory]

I want to add another R to my collection, not just to sit in the display case but also to use. Should I go for a R6 or a R6.2? There is a heafty price differential of some £200 on the currect second-hand market, I have found one of each type in mint condition (both silver chrome) complete with their original packaging, instruction books etc. I understand the small internal differences in the shutter, but do these make any difference when, out in the sunshine, burning up the film?

[stunsworth]

Doesn't the 6 have an electronic shutter and the 6.2 a mechanical one? If so that would mean you could still carry on using the 6.2 if the battery wasn't working. That might be a consideration.

The bargain in the R range at the moment seems to be the R8.

[k_g_wolf]

>> John


Since nobody here has an insight onto your bankaccount, so this seems to be the typical question only you or your partner can answer.

Just listen deep down into yourself. Haven´t you answered it already ?

Go for the 6.2 in silver in case it fits into your collection, just my 2cts.


LEICA R- wise I would go for the following:

- RE 2

- 6 or 6.2

- R5 or R7

- R8 or R9

Have fun in choosing your things and bring them to good photographic use ....



Best

_____________________

>> Steve

Both LEICA R6 (= R6 and 6.2) have the mechanical shutter.
The battery is only needed for the lightmeter, same as with the M5, M6, MP, but unlike the M7 and all the other LEICA R- cameras.

[andybarton]

The 6.2 is the last of the mechanical Rs and commands a premium in the market for that. If I were to buy an R6, I would definitely go for the 6.2.

As Steve says, R8s are obscenely cheap for what they are now and, if you like the style and size, are a fabulous, well made SLR.

[jc_braconi]

I agree with Andy

[JohnGregory]

The R6 like the R6.2 is all mechanical and incorperated the Leica mechanical type shutter unlike the R5 which was electronically controlled.
I don't mind paying the extra the market demands for the R6.2 but only if there is a real difference. Not just because fewer R6.2's were made, and so the collectors value it more highly.

[andybarton]

There was definitely something more to the 6.2 than the 6 (other than the extra paint to label it ). Someone here will know what it is.

Have you looked at Andrew Nemeth's site? He has a load of stuff about different models. Thorsten Overguaard also has information linked through on his site.

[darkness30]

I believe R6 has a 1/1000th shutter speed as the max and R6.2 goes 1/2000th
Thats probably the biggest difference. Both R6 and R6.2 are fully mechanical.I would go with R8 they have great price for value these days.

Mehmet

[rob_x2004]

6.2 has higher Shutter speed 1/2000th and flash synch at...cant remember 1/125th? I will look if important. The paint on hte inside of the the mirror box is still sus and worth looking at before you buy to see whether or how much it has flaked. The lever depth of field preview is pretty silly and flimsy. The electronics are no more reliable than any of the previous generations but at least it is only the light meter. Worth checking, if it is bad it might still be an expensive repair. Probably a bit of a shame Minolta didnt handle manufacture for them.

Um...holds the film flat for the R lenses which is all important. Salgado used one in the oil fields fires. Thats got to be bonus points.

[JohnGregory]

Thanks for the note about Andrew Nemeth's site it is really good. I have not seen it before. I had thought about adding an R8 to the collection but the problem is the ROM lenses. All my R lenses are 3 cam, so an R8 would require a lot of additional spending. (Would anyone like a few of my Northern Rock shares to help fund a few new lenses?)

[andybarton]

You don't need ROM lenses for an R8 (or R9 for that matter) - they do need to be 3-cam, though.

I have an R8 and a DMR and only half of my lenses are ROM'd. They work fine.

[stunsworth]

John, as Andy says 3 cam or 3rd cam lenses will work fine with an R8. Ffordes - ffordes photographic : Main Index - have several used ones in stock at the moment ranging in price from jusr over £420 to £499.

[storybrown]

Buying now, no doubt their would be a gen'l consensus that the R8 is prolly the best one to grab overall. That would be my suggestion.

But you don't say what Rs you have already - that you want to add to, for use. If you're not going to get an SL (or SL2), which are a little higher, a clean R4 or R4sP is quite economical (everything in Leicaworld being relative). As far as that goes, for the last 2-3 yrs or so, everyone I personally know or have actually come across in the street or field who has an R3 - more than a half dozen, I guess - brags about it.

[earleygallery]

I've had an R3MOT from new, its probably the most underrated Leica and surely the best value for money (OK you need to find an excellent fully working one). Its just a great camera and feels right to me. The downside is that its built like a tank and just as heavy as one!

I'd be tempted by an R6/6.2 for the fully mechanical shutter though.

[JohnGregory]

The collection of Rs currently is origional Leicaflex early/late models, SL2, R3MOT & R7. Interestingly of them all the SL2 gets the most use. I have briefly handled the R8/9 models and found them large, but I suppose one gets used to that. I just like the appearance of the R4 to R7 size & shape. With regard to the 3 cam lenses on the R8/9; yes, they can be used, but some of the camera's functions are un-available.

[earleygallery]

Originally Posted by JohnGregory

With regard to the 3 cam lenses on the R8/9; yes, they can be used, but some of the camera's functions are un-available.

As I understand it the only function is that the ROM contacts can tell the dedicated flash which lens is being used (for zoom functions on the flash). Everything else will work as it should.

[JohnGregory]

Am I right in thinking that collecting Leica R cameras is a bit of a 'ghetto' in the Leica world.
Their size and general chunkiness has always appealed to me much more than those dainty little rangefinders. So if I can use my 3 cam lenses on a R8/9 and given the price they are at just now, perhaps I should think about one of those as well.
So can I ask another question; which is which is better as a start.
P.S. I bought the R6.2, when I saw the condition of the camera (the silver chrome softly glinting in the bonfire of the savings account) the un-marked box, user's guide etc., it was like new. I just could not resist it.

[stunsworth]

The R9 is more like an R8.2 IMHO. It's lighter than the R8 and there are one or two minor design changes, but the R8 has the advantage of lower prices.

Your 3 cam lenses will be fine, I have an R8 and don't have any ROM lenses.

The R8/9 look big, but the body fits in the hand beautifully IMHO, with all the controls easy to reach.

[john_newell]

The 6.2 is the last of the mechanical Rs and commands a premium in the market for that. If I were to buy an R6, I would definitely go for the 6.2.

Actually, unless you really need the few changes from the R6, I'd would say that paying the considerable premium for the R6.2 is at best unnecessary. There is no reliability difference between the two. Either is a pleasure to use and to carry, even if they aren't the mechanical masterpieces that the SL/SL2 are or the really well developed technowonders that the R8/9 are.

[topoxforddoc]

I would concur with Steve. The R8/9s are really well developed cameras. Ergonomically they're great. The VF isn't bad (ok not as good as the SL/SL2) and the metering is good too. At the price that the R8 is now, it's a steal.

Charlie