Leicaflex V R8

[floyd]

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I am very new to this Leica forum. I live in the south of United Kingdom, I have been a very keen flower photographer for the last 30+ years, like many I moved away from film when digital came along. During last winter I was going through boxes of old slides and realised I much preferred the quality of the photographic images, digital seems so flat compared to the slides. I would like to return to film, I have never owned a Leica, but have the option of two cameras the cost of either is not a problem one is the original model Leicaflex the meter doesn't work but it is in superb condition. I like the idea of a manual camera, the other is a Leica R8 in perfect condition its been with a collector and hardly ever been used. I would appreciate any thought or advice.

Thank you

Floyd Summerhayes

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[sfage]

I just bought a flex yesterday. I haven't processed a roll through it yet but I am very happy with the "feel" of the camera.

[sender]

I would think that if you want to do flower pictures, you would want TTL metering, which the Leicaflex standard does not have. Go with the SL or SL2 which are great cameras. The R8 is good too if you like more modern conveniences. Try either with a 60mm Elmarit-R for flowers.

[tobey bilek]

Put an S curve on the digi file. Add a duped layer with grain over it and blur it to taste. Adjust opacity. Then use "blend if" function to confine the grain to to the midtones. Hold down the option key (MAC) or ( ALT) key to split the sliders to smooth the transition from grain to no grain.

 

It looks just like film.

 

The real solution is put a Leitax mount on the Leica lens and use on a Nikon. It is Nikon/Canon glass that makes things look bad, not the fact it is digital. The very latest Nikon glass is more leica like. Not much experience with Canon.

 

I convered two PC lenses last weekend and made comparison shots on my D700. The Nikon stuff is sicko compared, same time, same place, same focal length, same exposure. The files just look muddy in comparison. I certainly wish for a real R10 solution, but I am not holding my breath. Think I will be ordering more mounts this week for the 100 2.8 APO and 60 2.8.

 

You will like visoflex lenses on the Nikon too. You won`t want to screw around curves either. It is built into the lenses.

[masjah]

I'd go for the R8. You've got much more sophisticated metering (though there have been one or two cases of the metering system failing in the longer term). You can use ROM lenses (not because they have any particular advantages in general use, but you have a wider choice in the second-hand market if you can also include them).

[sfage]

In my opinion, less toys are better toys. I am happy as long as it is as sharp and exposed as I want it to be.

[stunsworth]

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Like John I'd go for the R8, largely for the same reasons. The SL may have the brighter viewfinder, but in practice I never noticed much difference - and the R8 viewfinder will knock your socks of anyway.

[JBA]

Speaking as soneone who owns both an SL2 and R8, I agree with John and Steve.

 

The Leicaflexes are brilliant cameras, but have certain known issues. In particular, desilvering of the prism or fungus is one of the common ones and would mean a rather costly (but ultimately probably worthwhile) repair. The SL2 is prone to shutter issues at 1/2000 where the curtains don't travel properly, resulting in half-exposed frames. My SL2 is afflicted particularly severely, but not all are.

 

The R8 has fewer issues. Some of the early ones are said to have scratched the film, but Leica repaired many of them, so even checking serial numbers would be only an approximate guide. I never even checked the serial numbers when I bought mine and have not had a single problem with it, other than a dead battery, remedied by a trip to the corner store. Got a motor for mine cheap. It makes a large & heavy but extremely functional package.

[SteveYork]

If you can find one with a good prism, there is nothing more spectacular for macro or telephoto work than a Leicaflex SL with a micro prism focusing screen. The subjects just pop into focus, in a way that I've not seen with other cameras, but using the camera (the SL) in low light is rather difficult, because the lack of split image focusing.

 

I've looked through an R9 and that is very nice too. I suspect the R8 is the same.

 

I had a Leicaflex system based around a couple SLs and SL2, but have sold most of it off. Getting the cameras up to speed was costly and time consuming. But it is a very unique experience.

[SteveYork]

And finding an "unused" Leicaflex is much more rare than an "unused" R8. I like the needle metering of the Leicaflex too. Very simple to use.

 

But with the Leicaflex, you're limited to 2-cam and 3-cam lenses. You can't use ROM or R-only (lenses that only have the third cam).

[wildlightphoto]

But with the Leicaflex, you're limited to 2-cam and 3-cam lenses. You can't use ROM or R-only (lenses that only have the third cam).

 

With very slight modification to the lens and camera, many ROM lenses can be used on the Leicaflex SL. The modifications are:

 

1) mill the inside diameter of the camera's lens mount flange to fit the R-only lenses, in some cases the lens lock pin also needs to be slimmed down a bit. These changes are noticeable only if you know what to look for. These modifications work only for the SL, not for the SL2 or Leicaflex Standard because these two cameras have a cam follower for the first cam that will foul the lens' ROM contacts.

 

2) add the second metering cam to the lens. ROM does not need to be removed, but not all ROM lenses can take the second cam.

 

The camera will still work exactly as before the modification with non-ROM lenses, and the lens will still work exactly as before the modification with R bodies.

 

Don Goldberg and Gus Lazzari know how to do these modifications.

[earleygallery]

If you like the idea of a mechanical camera look at the R6 and R6.2. The R8 is a good choice though, I'd definately go with that instead of the flex.

[sfage]

I've been able to go out and do some not-so-serious shooting. It's not "keeper" material but I'm very happy with the machine so far (L'flex)

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[Doc Henry]

Hi Floyd and Hi all LUF friends,

 

I have both as you can see in this picture and i like both of them

I like the R8 for its compactness

and the SL * for its simplicity (as an MP)

but I still have a slight preference for the SL (which has been completely revised by Solms) . Everything is mechanical in there and no worries of failure

 

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Picture taken with M8 Lux 50mm

 

Regards

Henry

 

* http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-collectors-historica/97395-i-am-sad.html

[storybrown]

I have & use both - both are great & have no special problems; you can't miss, IMHO, esp or your purposes (film) - pick the one you most like the feel of. Good luck . . .

[hamey]

I also have both, The SL is now retired, but

 

Personally I prefer the R8.

 

Ken.