Jump to content
🇩🇪 Neu: Leica SL3 Reporter ×
🇺🇸🇬🇧 New: Leica SL3 Reporter ×

New to R system

asiafish

By asiafish
in Leica R System

Recommended Posts

asiafish

asiafish

Posted
Posted

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I got the R bug when I bought a used late model (Canada) Elmarit-R 90 for use on my Sony NEX 7. Needless to say, I fell in love with the way the lens renders and immediately eBayed my C/Y Zeiss Planar 50 and went hunting for a Summicron-R 50. Well, I found one (late 3-cam, Canada), as part of an outfit at KEH with an R-3 Aztec (in the fancy wood case) in EX condition for only $46 more than the same lens in the same condition alone.

 

I also briefly toyed with the idea of Leitaxing the lenses to use on my Sony A850 DSLR, but decided to stick with my Minolta lenses on the Sony and shoot film with the Leica lenses. I ordered (EX+ on KEH) an R6 as I am a fan of mechanical/manual cameras.

 

So now my questions:

 

1) I want a moderate wide-angle to round out my set for both the NEX 7 and film, but don't want to break the bank (I'm already almost $1500 in). What is the best option in a 28mm or 35mm prime lens? I would prefer to stay with the newer design that takes standard 55mm filters instead of dealing with series filters and retaining rings. 35mm has always been my preferred wide length, but 28 is fine (I still know how to zoom with my feet) if the lenses in that length are better or significantly cheaper. I don't need anything faster than f2.8, but do want "the look".

 

I shoot mostly black and white and tend to use wideangles mostly for travel/landscape.

 

2) Has anyone ever bought a used R from KEH? Should I CLA an R body in EX condition (R3) or EX+ (R6) even if the foam seals look good?

 

3) I've read about the electronic issues with the R3. Mine has a needle that is nice and smooth (no bounce), but even if it gets bouncy later I really don't care about the needle. The question is, if the needle does become bouncy, is the meter still accurate and does the shutter still time correctly regardless of needle position?

 

4) The R6 (seems to) have a good reputation. Is there anything to look out for on this model? I plan to shoot mostly slow film (used to shoot Panatomic X and Plus X in my film days, bought Pan F and Delta 100 to try) and often even use ND filters when shooting portraits (flowing hair, shallow DOF). Are the slower shutter speeds accurate on the R6 and other than the (unneeded for me) 1/2000 th speed, am I missing anything else on the R6 vs the R6.2?

 

5) Any other misc. advice? I haven't shot film in about 15 years and last did so with a Nikon FM2n and FE. I've never owned a Leica before, anything particular with regard to metering and exposure compared to Nikon?

Link to post
Share on other sites
TomB_tx

TomB_tx

Posted
Posted

I've bought a few (EX) Rs from KEH - a couple needed CLA and a couple were fine. The R6 is generally solid, but one I had would hesitate after the lens stopped down before the mirror raised and the shutter fired. DAG diagnosed it as a sticky pneumatic mirror damper and cleaned it. I've also seen R4s that hesitated on the shutter release.

The 24 2.8 Elmarit-R is usually a bargain, as it was made by Minolta. Mine is a nice lens.

I changed the focusing screens on my R6 to plain matte, and find it much easier to focus with the Summilux 50 1.4.

Link to post
Share on other sites
asiafish

asiafish

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I've bought a few (EX) Rs from KEH - a couple needed CLA and a couple were fine. The R6 is generally solid, but one I had would hesitate after the lens stopped down before the mirror raised and the shutter fired. DAG diagnosed it as a sticky pneumatic mirror damper and cleaned it. I've also seen R4s that hesitated on the shutter release.

The 24 2.8 Elmarit-R is usually a bargain, as it was made by Minolta. Mine is a nice lens.

I changed the focusing screens on my R6 to plain matte, and find it much easier to focus with the Summilux 50 1.4.

 

I have the Minolta version for my Sony A850, but I don't usually shoot that wide. How are the Summicron and Elmarit 28s and 35s? Any standout values there?

Link to post
Share on other sites
TomB_tx

TomB_tx

Posted
Posted
How are the Summicron and Elmarit 28s and 35s? Any standout values there?

I have the Summicron-R 35, and for my use it seems equal to the M version (non-asph). I haven't tried the other wide R lenses, as I usually use an M for wide use.

Link to post
Share on other sites
asiafish

asiafish

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I have the Summicron-R 35, and for my use it seems equal to the M version (non-asph). I haven't tried the other wide R lenses, as I usually use an M for wide use.

 

M is WAYYYYY out of my price range.

Link to post
Share on other sites
asiafish

asiafish

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I bought an R 180/2.8 non-APO from KEH. It looks to be in beautiful shape, but have not yet tries it. I tried some other "big" R teles on my GXR and they are great.

 

I've been looking at the 180/2.8, but need something wide first. I would love an M, but went with the R simply because of the pricing. I have not had the opportunity to shoot with the R bodies yet, but will take one with me next month when I travel to Asia.

Link to post
Share on other sites
algrove

algrove

Posted
Posted
I've been looking at the 180/2.8, but need something wide first. I would love an M, but went with the R simply because of the pricing. I have not had the opportunity to shoot with the R bodies yet, but will take one with me next month when I travel to Asia.

 

The R 2.8/19mm is a superb lens. Just look for the latest generation. You had better get your R's fast since when the new M comes out R lens prices could shoot up again for around 2 years.

Since the longest M is 135 the longer R lenses have been in big demand. Cheaper ones can sometimes have troubles so be careful when the price seems too good. Also as you might know, Leica will clean, lubricate and align just about any lens they made.

Link to post
Share on other sites
asiafish

asiafish

Posted
  • Author
Posted
The R 2.8/19mm is a superb lens. Just look for the latest generation. You had better get your R's fast since when the new M comes out R lens prices could shoot up again for around 2 years.

Since the longest M is 135 the longer R lenses have been in big demand. Cheaper ones can sometimes have troubles so be careful when the price seems too good. Also as you might know, Leica will clean, lubricate and align just about any lens they made.

 

I didn't know that. What is the usual cost for this service, and for a CLA on the bodies?

Link to post
Share on other sites
algrove

algrove

Posted
Posted

It varies by condition of each lens. There is no fixed price that I know of. The good part is that if you send it to Leica, they will send you a free estimate and then you can decide, yes or no.

 

The only fixed price is for 6 bit coding of M lens that came without coding, but not all older M lenses can be 6 bit coded. Call them forthe info on each lens.

Link to post
Share on other sites
asiafish

asiafish

Posted
  • Author
Posted
asiafish-On another R thread there was discussion about various R lenses. This friend of mine who I have bought very nice R lenses from has a 35/2.0 R he is selling at $1.3k.He also has a complete R9 for like $1.8k.

 

Do you have the link for the 35/2.0? Not really interested in an R9 as I like the traditional, mechanical feel when shooting film.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...