Main differences between R3 and R8 ?

[italy74]

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Hi guys

 

a local shop has a R3 sample which sells for few to nothing ( STUDIO FOTOGRAFICO ORLANDO >> montecchio emilia (reggio emilia) ) and I was wondering if there's a list of the major R features that I might consider to get it or not. (As usual of course getting an R-body means then getting R-lenses :D )

Of course, specs aside, whatever advice in this regards is welcome. Is there any lens (also of newer ones) I can't mount on it, eventually ? Any known issue to check ?

 

Thanks in advance

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Dino,

 

I think a very reasonably priced R3 in good working order w/ some extended guarantee which would allow you to test for continuity & accuracy of exposure w/ slide film or by looking @ negatives not prints & then still be there for some time after is a very good way to enter the Leicaflex/R World of photography.

 

Lenses are the real issue. Don't forget a camera is simply a box holding an image capture sensor. It doesn't matter if that sensor is silver halide or electronic. You create your personal workspace when you use & change lenses.

 

An R3 takes most reflex lenses. I would personally start w/ a 90mm Elmarit if you want to learn photographic composition since a 90 by its angle of view removes a portion of the foreground all around a subject which gives a perspective & composition many find pleasing in terms of abstracting a major interest from a larger scene while maintaining a degree of intimacy.

 

You learn a lot.

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael

[earleygallery]

Hi,

 

the R3 is an excellent SLR. It takes any R lens that is 3 cam or 'R' only (earlier lenses can be used with stop down metering).

 

It has aperture priority auto metering with spot and centre weighted modes, and manual of course. The shutter action is as nice as you'll find on an slr. The main benefit of the R8 is multi exposure modes, faster top speeds, ability to take a motor drive (the R3 MOT takes a winder if that's important) and DMR.

 

At that price for a good R3 I may just beat you to it

[luigi bertolotti]

I am not an expert on SLR Leicas, but I think that a R3 at that price (and bought next to home... ) can be really a smart buy : it's an underrated model for a number of reasons :

- It signed the death of the "classical" Leicaflexes

- But it did not start a new breed of Leica SLR (which happened with the R4)

- It's indeed , in practice, a Minolta-originated design

- Is the first Leica SLR not "Made in Germany" (apart few items, most R3 are Portugal-made)

 

But lot of users simply appreciate it a lot, and, afaik, is much less prone to tech problems than R4. Recently I saw a customer at my dealer's shop in Brescia, who was there to have back his R3 which had been sent to lab (don't know if at the factory or at the Italian importer, or else where) for a CLA, and, listening to his words with the dealer, it was clear tat the camera was still perfectly maintainable.

[tobey bilek]

You will be happy with any R camera except the R4 and it`s variants and R5. Those lack the mirror dampening quality of others.

 

Any Leicaflex is charming but you may have trouble with modern lenses fitting up. Fitted with proper lenses, they are to be treasured. Built like a tank and weigh as much.