Which Leica R to choose? Which one is the best?

[Howling Dick]

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12 hours ago, earleygallery said:

The R models (up to R7) were actually based on Minolta bodies of the same era. Also some R lenses were Leica versions of Minolta and Sigma designs.

I don’t think the Elmarit was an outstanding lens in the Leica range so don’t expect some amazing difference to a Pentax or Minolta lens of the same type and era.

Ok good advice

 

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[250swb]

1 hour ago, Howling Dick said:

 

 

Meanwhile, I looked at your photos - superb sir. These were shot with an M?

 

 

Thank you Richard. Very few over the past year have been shot with an M, mostly R9, R-E, Nikon, and various medium format cameras.

[Howling Dick]

21 hours ago, 250swb said:

Thank you Richard. Very few over the past year have been shot with an M, mostly R9, R-E, Nikon, and various medium format cameras.

Oh you used an R-E that gives me confidence.

I don't use Flickr but think I ought to

Richard

[robb]

I loved my two R8’s back in the day - the tail end of me shooting film.   I shot them with the motor drives and I never had a single problem.  I always wanted an R 6.2 but never had the extra money back then.  I was shooting the R gear (and this sounds funny…) but couldn’t afford more than the two bodies and my 5 stellar lenses.  19, 35, 50, 85, 180, apo extenders.

maybe I’ll go find some r8’s again… hard to go back though.  Love my current Sl2 and sl2-s lineup.

Robb

[Shawn30]

I picked up a R3 and R4 S. The R3 might be a Minolta design but it’s built like a tank. The R 4 S feels more plastic and cheap. The R3 reminds me of the SL2 build quality, not sure why it doesn’t get more love.

 

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[Howling Dick]

I’ve got the R5 now but I see what you mean about the R3 

[Aram Langhans]

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On 12/5/2024 at 4:31 AM, Howling Dick said:

Thank you so much for detailed advice. Originally I eschewed the zoom options but between you and someone else Im now seriously considering the 35-70.

I use the Q but following experiments with a Rollei 35 and a Spotmatic Im getting into film. I do have an F3 Nikon my son gave me but no lenses. I thought Id go down the Leica route but vintage Ms and lenses are a bit out of my price range at the moment so The R-E +35m for £500 looked a good option.

 

Meanwhile, I looked at your photos - superb sir. These were shot with an M?

 

Richard

 

The 35-70 F4 is an amazing lens.  Far superior to my Nikon 24-70/2.8f F mount.  I shot both on my Nikon, but only used the F mount lens if i needed autofocus.  The R lens was sharper (except at 35mm), less CA, lighter and great colors.

And to stay on topic, I had an R4 and an R8.  The R4 gave me fits with mirror vibration.  I could not hand hold it at slower shutter speeds like I could my Rollei SL-35's that it replaced when I wore them out.  The R8 was much better.  I still have my R8 and take it out once in a while to shoot a roll of old film I have tucked away in my freezer just for old time sake.  My eyes have a hard time focusing manually anymore, so I mostly shoot with a more modern camera (Nikon Z7ii and Leica Q3), but the R8 is a joy to hold and work with.  Amazing ergonomics. It gets my vote for the R camera to buy and use.

Edited December 31, 2024 by Aram Langhans

[leica dream]

I picked up an R3 a few months ago and it is really stimulating me towards a return to film.

[Howling Dick]

1 hour ago, leica dream said:

I picked up an R3 a few months ago and it is really stimulating me towards a return to film.

Looks like a lot of us are going in that direction