If you were just getting into Leica

[ctrfire]

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Hey folks, I'm new to the forum and Leica equipment. I'm currently considering the purchase of some Leica "R" series equipment. My question is which camera body to start with. My budget limits me to items priced in the range of the R3 to R5 based on prices I have found throughout the internet (including ebay). I'd prefer to spend more on the glass. What are your suggestions? R3, R3 MOT, R4, R4s, R5 or RE.

 

Will be used for general photos like family and a lot of outdoor photography, birds, deer & landscapes.

[dickgrafixstop]

I'd ignore the "R" series as its already dead-ended. I'd buy the cheapest "M" film body I could find (maybe a CL) and the 40mm C lens. Should be about the same total outlay

as the R you mentioned. Then I'd seriously consider what I needed next and wait until I

could afford it. I'd build up my lens inventory until I could go digital - and since it would

take a long time I could buy an M9 on the used market for a song. If that doesn't sound

like a plan, buy a introductory Nikon or Canon with the kit lens and enjoy.

[Stealth3kpl]

Hey folks, I'm new to the forum and Leica equipment. I'm currently considering the purchase of some Leica "R" series equipment.

 

Will be used for general photos like family and a lot of outdoor photography, birds, deer & landscapes.

 

 

I'd buy the cheapest "M" film body I could find (maybe a CL) and the 40mm C lens.

 

Mmmm.

 

 

 

If that doesn't sound

like a plan, buy a introductory Nikon or Canon with the kit lens and enjoy.

[topoxforddoc]

Hey folks, I'm new to the forum and Leica equipment. I'm currently considering the purchase of some Leica "R" series equipment. My question is which camera body to start with. My budget limits me to items priced in the range of the R3 to R5 based on prices I have found throughout the internet (including ebay). I'd prefer to spend more on the glass. What are your suggestions? R3, R3 MOT, R4, R4s, R5 or RE.

 

Will be used for general photos like family and a lot of outdoor photography, birds, deer & landscapes.

 

If you want film based SLR Leica photography on a budget, then I'd buy a SL or SL2 - best SLR viewfinder ever, built like a tank and very reliable. Not all modern lenses will fit (no ROM lenses for instance unless you get Leica to remove the ROM chip). The silvering in the prism can go with time, but they can still be serviced and the prisms re-silvered.

 

Doug Herr probably knows more about these than anyone else here.

 

Good luck

[earleygallery]

Hi,

 

Firstly ignore the 'advice' by Dick.... as he has clearly ignored your question.

 

The Leica R cameras and lenses have never been better bargains, they surely won't get any cheaper.

 

I've had an R3MOT from new, and it's one of the best cameras I've ever had (including many previous and subsequent SLR's). Personally I think it has a much nicer shutter action than the later R4-7 models and a very nicely damped and quiet mirror box.

 

The later models have more features, and are smaller/lighter, so it's a case of personal preference at the end of the day. Early models had a reputation for unreliability but any R cameras working well today should be fine.

 

Basically you can't go wrong with any of them - choose based on price/features and handle them first if you can to see what I mean about the R3.

 

The earlier Leicaflex models are well regarded, but you need to consider the older mechanical shutters which won't be as accurate and will need servicing, prism silvering which deteriorates, and the need for recalibration of meters to work with newer batteries.

[NZDavid]

Sounds like you definitely need an SLR for wildlife and are happy with film. Seem to be quite few good deals on R6-9. All very good. But other Rs may very well be perfectly serviceable. Original SL is a beautiful machine if you can find one in top condition and are happy with simple (and effective) match needle metering. Check out places like photovillage or B&H in NYC, or Leicashop in Austria. Or maybe Sherry Krauter. Many more. A dealer is more reliable than a private Ebay seller. There may also be some good deals on this forum. Buying a kit may be the way to go. I am not an R-user, but the thing with any used gear is to buy in the best mechanical condition possible, or factor in a CLA -- and if possible, try before you buy.

[norgas_co]

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I fully agree with what topoxforddoc and earleygallery commented.

 

Any camera from the SL to R7 series are joy to use. I have used most of them, and kept few, have nothing but great experiences with all. Perhaps take an R6 or 6.2 if you want an all mechanical + more compact body, or any of the other ones (R4,R4s,R5,R7) to have the AE conveniences. (R7 bit taller so not as compact)

 

I still do have an SL2 and R3 as well, but hardly ever use them as they feel bit more bulky nowadays. But nonetheless worth experiencing.

 

Enjoy finding what fits.

 

PS from your list I'd pick either the R4s or R5

[masjah]

These days, a s/h R8 is so cheap that you could also give it consideration. It's size, shape and weight make it a different handling experience from the earlier R's, which many (including myself) really do like. You do need to hold one to see how it sits with you.

[tgray]

I can't speak from personal experience of owning an R, but I was recently just looking into getting a Leica SLR with a portrait-range lens to complement my M. While I have a Canon SLR, I wanted a manual focus SLR. So I looked into things a fair amount.

 

Honestly, it sounds like the earlier Rs can have some problems. And repairs didn't seem cheap to me, so any money you save on the camera could quickly get eaten up. The SLs sound good, but I wanted something a bit more modern. (Doug Herr knows his stuff when it comes to Rs). The R6 and R6.2 sounded like the ones to go for if you want the old style design, but they are more expensive. Maybe the R7 would be a good buy.

 

The best buy to me seemed to actually be the R8. Mostly the same as the R9, more of them around, and pretty modern, but not the 'newest'. They seem to have asking prices around 600-800, but I bet you could get one for $500 if you pushed.

 

As for prices not getting any lower, I'd have to argue. I saw A LOT of Rs for sale. The prices were a bit high if you ask me for a 'dead' system which seems to have a supply which outstrips the demand. Bargain hard.

 

My original intent was to get an R and an 80 Summilux or 90 Summicron. I was leaning towards either the R6.2 or an R8. However, once I added up the costs, I realized I was damn near the price of a used 75 Summilux for my M. As that's my main system, and it also has a digital pathway to the future, I just decided to go there. If I still want a manual focus SLR, I'll just pick up an old Nikon, Olympus, or Pentax for a lot less... It wouldn't be for wides, where some of those systems are subpar - I'll use my M for that.

[ctrfire]

Thanks to everyone for the opinions, I'm looking closely at a very nice R3mot with grip and motor. Total cost will be around 230.00 US. Although its not new it seems to be pretty close. Definitley used very little.

 

And yes I already have plenty of Digital equipment, Nikon D300, D2x & an older D70 I'm even planning the purchase of a new D700 in the next couple of months. But one of my favorites is my good ole film camera the F100. And therefore the allure to film and the R series Leica's. My F100 forces me to take more time with my shots instead of just rattling them off at 8fps with the D2x. That time taken with the camera usually seems to bring more satisfaction when I see the final outcome. :eek:

[JBA]

My most recent camera purchase was an R3 MOT in excellent working order and considerable patina for about the same price. It is a wonderfully responsive camera and an excellent value for the price. If you are just getting into Leica, the R3 MOT would be a great starting point, particularly if the low price would allow you to buy more lenses.

 

A couple of notes about the R3 MOT: Pressing the trigger on the camera body will fire single frames; pressing the button on the front of the motor will fire multiple frames at 2 fps as long as you hold it down. Pulling out the wind lever to the detente will interrupt the motor, and lets you wind manually (handy for loading film). Pushing the wind lever back in activates the motor.

 

When carrying the camera around, I've noticed that the on/off switch and eyepiece blind lever tend to flip on their own. More than a few times I've put the camera to my eye and have been alarmed to see nothing but black till I notice it's just that the eyepiece blind lever got flipped.

 

The R3 is the only R to have the shutter speed dial placed conventionally rather than protruding from the front of the camera body so you can turn it easily with one finger without looking. Not a big deal unless you're already spoiled using Leicaflexes and other R models.

 

Anyhow, aside from a few quibbles, it's a great camera and should serve you well. I'd go for it if I were you.

 

What lenses are you considering?