R3 arrived today.

[asiafish]

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Well, my R3 and 50/2 arrived today from KEH. They were listed as EX condition, but other than a few very minor marks on the bottom near the tripod mount the camera body looks brand-new. There are a few minor specs of dust in the viewfinder, but it looks perfect. The camera was serviced by Leitz at some point (no date) as it came in a plastic pouch with a Leitz sticker and with inspection cards from NY, one each for the lens and body SN.

 

I tested the meter against my Sony NEX 7 and it is very close and consistent. AE lock works and all manual speeds sound correct. There is no bounce in the meter needle and the inside of the camera is immaculate, again looks almost new.

 

I ordered an R6 in EX+ condition that should also be delivered today, with the original plan to get this R3 with lens, keep the lens and then resell the body (the outfit with Aztec Amatl case and burgundy leather pouch was only $46 more than the lens alone in the same EX condition). After inspecting this body, however, I will definitely keep it, and might even return the R6 unless it really wows me.

 

Its been more than a decade since I last shot film, but now I imagine my Sony A850 DSLR might be left behind on my upcoming trip to Japan and Korea. I can see traveling with just my NEX 7 and its two autofocus lenses (the compact 16-50 and the Zeiss 24) and one of the two R bodies with the 50/2 and 90/2.8. I am very impressed.

 

By the way, as an old Minolta shooter (SRT200, X570) the build quality on this is every bit as robust as the SRT with a fit and finish that truly befit a luxury product (Minoltas were NOT luxury products. This thing is just a joy to hold and manipulate.

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[asiafish]

R6 came about two hours later (both Fed Ex, different vans). The R6 looks brand-new except for one mark in the enamel on the front near the logo and a minor scuff near the tripod socket. There is a very small amount of bubbling under the black enamel on the prism top.

 

Overall, the R3 and R6 look to be in similar condition, with the R6 just a tiny bit less used IMO. Not really sure I need two bodies, but I think I will keep both anyway. Very different look and feel. I'll likely use the R3 for color and the R6 for black and white, as I plan to shoot a lot more BW and the R6 is newer and likely more durable.

 

Overall I am very impressed by both, and best avoid getting my eyes and hands anywhere near an M or I'll likely go broke.

[earleygallery]

I've had my R3 since my parents bought it for me in the early 80's. It's a really great SLR & Leica only used the Minolta 'chassis' to build it on - the shutter feel is sublime.

[asiafish]

I've had my R3 since my parents bought it for me in the early 80's. It's a really great SLR & Leica only used the Minolta 'chassis' to build it on - the shutter feel is sublime.

 

I've been playing with the R3 and R6 quite a bit tonight and agree with you, the R3 is a gorgeous machine with a fantastic shutter release. R6 is very nice too, but release is quite mushy by comparison.

 

Now the hard part, deciding which one to take to Asia with me. R3 feels more substantial in the hand and has the nicer shutter release (not to mention aperture priority AE), but the R6 has a nicer viewfinder made MUCH nicer by the diopter correction. R3 is easy enough to focus, but nothing in the VF ever really looks too sharp (my uncorrected eyesight, not the camera).

[thrid]

I've been playing with the R3 and R6 quite a bit tonight and agree with you, the R3 is a gorgeous machine with a fantastic shutter release. R6 is very nice too, but release is quite mushy by comparison.

 

Bingo.

 

I have the R6.2 and the mushy shutter release is IMO one of the few drawbacks to the camera.

I have no idea how Salgado put up with that for all the years he shot with them...

[asiafish]

Bingo.

 

I have the R6.2 and the mushy shutter release is IMO one of the few drawbacks to the camera.

I have no idea how Salgado put up with that for all the years he shot with them...

 

I like pistol shooting and enjoy the very crisp and light trigger pull of a cocked (single action mode) revolver or single-angle automatic. I shoot a Glock pistol now, which has a sloppy trigger action with far less precision in the feel. Like anything, I got used to it and now shoot just as well with the mushy Glock trigger as with the crisp trigger on my revolver.

 

I would imagine Salgado, like anyone, just got used to it. Like the Glock, the R6/6.2 is likely just a good-enough tool for him to overlook or adapt to its flaws.

 

I ordered a soft release for my R6, which should help. Either way, I doubt the mushy release on the R6 will affect my pictures in any way.

 

Anyone here ever spent significant time with an R3 AND an R6 or 6.2? I will definitely make one of them my primary and use the other as a backup. Recommendations?

[barneybm]

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Good luck with your R3. I have four of them, and until I got a DMR, I used them all the time. In fact, the one I got in 1978 worked continuously without any servicing at all until 2000. They are great.

[asiafish]

Good luck with your R3. I have four of them, and until I got a DMR, I used them all the time. In fact, the one I got in 1978 worked continuously without any servicing at all until 2000. They are great.

 

Thanks. Took the R3 and R6 out yesterday. The R3 was better in good light, the R6 as the sun went down (brighter viewfinder, diopter correction).

 

My one complaint about the R3 is the lack of adjustable diopter correction (I need somewhere between -1 and -2). I haven't been able to find a used Leica diopter correction lens for the R3, but ordered a -1 and a -2 for the closely related Minolta XE-7. Hopefully it will fit. I previously ordered a -1 for the Minolta Maxxum and it was just a smidge too big. If the older one doesn't fit, I'll try to perform surgery on the Maxxum correction lens.

 

Other than the slightly blurry viewfinder (my eyes, not the camera), I am quickly coming to prefer to the R3 not only over the R6, but over every film SLR I've ever used and even my Sony A850 digital SLR.

[Torquinian]

Well, my R3 and 50/2 arrived today from KEH. They were listed as EX condition, but other than a few very minor marks on the bottom near the tripod mount the camera body looks brand-new. There are a few minor specs of dust in the viewfinder, but it looks perfect. The camera was serviced by Leitz at some point (no date) as it came in a plastic pouch with a Leitz sticker and with inspection cards from NY, one each for the lens and body SN.

 

I tested the meter against my Sony NEX 7 and it is very close and consistent. AE lock works and all manual speeds sound correct. There is no bounce in the meter needle and the inside of the camera is immaculate, again looks almost new.

 

I ordered an R6 in EX+ condition that should also be delivered today, with the original plan to get this R3 with lens, keep the lens and then resell the body (the outfit with Aztec Amatl case and burgundy leather pouch was only $46 more than the lens alone in the same EX condition). After inspecting this body, however, I will definitely keep it, and might even return the R6 unless it really wows me.

[Torquinian]

Well, my R3 and 50/2 arrived today from KEH. They were listed as EX condition, but other than a few very minor marks on the bottom near the tripod mount the camera body looks brand-new. There are a few minor specs of dust in the viewfinder, but it looks perfect. The camera was serviced by Leitz at some point (no date) as it came in a plastic pouch with a Leitz sticker and with inspection cards from NY, one each for the lens and body SN.

 

I tested the meter against my Sony NEX 7 and it is very close and consistent. AE lock works and all manual speeds sound correct. There is no bounce in the meter needle and the inside of the camera is immaculate, again looks almost new.

 

I ordered an R6 in EX+ condition that should also be delivered today, with the original plan to get this R3 with lens, keep the lens and then resell the body (the outfit with Aztec Amatl case and burgundy leather pouch was only $46 more than the lens alone in the same EX condition). After inspecting this body, however, I will definitely keep it, and might even return the R6 unless it really wows me.

I have both , shooting is quicker with the R3 , with the R6.2; as it is mechanical ,not electronic taking the meter reading takes longer, and the wind on is slightly stiffer as it is cocking the shutter as well as winding the film.I speed things up by taking a meter reading in advance using a seperate meter.On the other hand it is a comfort to know that even if you are in Outer Mongolia with the R6.2 and the battery fails you can carry on shooting as you like. With the R3 you could only use 1/60th sec.without a battery.

I use fast film in one and fine grain film in the other.

[asiafish]

I have both , shooting is quicker with the R3 , with the R6.2; as it is mechanical ,not electronic taking the meter reading takes longer, and the wind on is slightly stiffer as it is cocking the shutter as well as winding the film.I speed things up by taking a meter reading in advance using a seperate meter.On the other hand it is a comfort to know that even if you are in Outer Mongolia with the R6.2 and the battery fails you can carry on shooting as you like. With the R3 you could only use 1/60th sec.without a battery.

I use fast film in one and fine grain film in the other.

 

I've been using both for about 3 1/2 months now, as well a Minolta XE-7 (close relative of R3) that I bought in March.

 

The R6 is the one I usually grab, if only for its smaller size and lighter weight. Both are outstanding. What really blows me away is the quality of the R lenses, especially the Elmarit 90, which is an absolute delight for portraits. Bokeh is delicious and it is sharp as a tack.

[Hugh 38]

You have two very nice cameras , I have both an R6 and R3.

 

As mentioned the R3 is slightly larger and heavier than the R6 . I do like the feel and handling of the R3 and it is smooth.

I have found the spot meter more acurate on the R6 , when using in a theatre .I find the built in diopter corection handy if I have not put in my contact lenses or got my glasses. The R6 wil work without bateries , though no light meter, while on the R3 no bateries means you only have X speed and no metering.

 

The Elmarit 90 is superb . Bought mine in 1987 soon after getting my R3 .Enjoy using the cameras .

[Torquinian]

I've had my R3 since my parents bought it for me in the early 80's. It's a really great SLR & Leica only used the Minolta 'chassis' to build it on - the shutter feel is sublime.

 

You will find the R3 more convenient to use than the R6 because with the R6 you have to find your own aperture/speed settings [ go up a bit ,now down a bit- yes that looks OK,] but the R3 uses aperture priority .Much quicker. [i have both.]

[earleygallery]

You will find the R3 more convenient to use than the R6 because with the R6 you have to find your own aperture/speed settings [ go up a bit ,now down a bit- yes that looks OK,] but the R3 uses aperture priority .Much quicker. [i have both.]

 

Oh I use fully manual cameras as well - lllf, M2, and other makes.

 

I have a Minolta Autometer which I use when I want to take an incident light reading, but I have always found the meter in the R3 to be 100% accurate - I often use it on the spot setting too, which is very useful.

[Torquinian]

I like pistol shooting and enjoy the very crisp and light trigger pull of a cocked (single action mode) revolver or single-angle automatic. I shoot a Glock pistol now, which has a sloppy trigger action with far less precision in the feel. Like anything, I got used to it and now shoot just as well with the mushy Glock trigger as with the crisp trigger on my revolver.

 

I would imagine Salgado, like anyone, just got used to it. Like the Glock, the R6/6.2 is likely just a good-enough tool for him to overlook or adapt to its flaws.

 

I ordered a soft release for my R6, which should help. Either way, I doubt the mushy release on the R6 will affect my pictures in any way.

 

Anyone here ever spent significant time with an R3 AND an R6 or 6.2? I will definitely make one of them my primary and use the other as a backup. Recommendations?

 

I have both. I have fast film in one and slow film in the other. The R3 is quicker to use when set to auto. Pistol shooting is excellent practice for shutter release. I do both myself.

[satya]

My R4 comes on Monday or Tuesday. Can't wait been using some vintage R lens with a Sony nex 7. Oops have to go get some film now!! Any recommendations colour film or black and white. Read that the Rs have good tones and contrast?

[hamey]

Congratulations on your choice of Leica R cameras.

 

Personally for Film, I love using Fuji Provia 100F slide film, as for B/W haven't used it since 1967.

 

Good luck with your Leica R's

 

Ken.

[MarkP]

...as for B/W haven't used it since 1967.

 

 

?

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Hallo,

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[jip]

For black and white I usually go with Kodak TRI-X for colour I go for Kodak gold 200 or Kodak Portra 400 or Fuji velvia

[barneybm]

Good luck with your R3.

 

Although I use an R9 and M9 now, I think the R3 is the greatest film camera ever made. It just works perfectly (and my worked perfectly for 30 years before its first service)!

 

Good luck.