nobbylon Posted June 1, 2007 Share #1 Posted June 1, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Any Leica R4 users out there? or indeed can I pick the brains of everyone! 3 or 4 exposures per roll have a horizontal band of unexposed film at top 5-6mm of frame! completely random so no particular settings. Im leaning toward shutter and pretty sure it is but has anyone else had this? not happy! it's a shame as once something like this happens I loose all faith in the camera. It's what made me switch from Canon to Nikon years ago. I have an R8 so no big deal but I like the size of the R4. Thx in advance, john Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 1, 2007 Posted June 1, 2007 Hi nobbylon, Take a look here r4 shutter. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
dkCambridgeshire Posted June 1, 2007 Share #2 Posted June 1, 2007 Is the unexposed strip of film on the long 36mm side or the short 24mm side of the film? Dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobbylon Posted June 2, 2007 Author Share #3 Posted June 2, 2007 horizontal top of frame so long side, j Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted June 2, 2007 Share #4 Posted June 2, 2007 Within the actual frame itself, or on the edge strip? Beginning, middle or end of roll? Consecutive or random frames? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted June 2, 2007 Share #5 Posted June 2, 2007 Sounds like a shutter fault. Don't lose faith, the R4 is what, nearly 30 yrs old now - has yours been serviced recently? As long as the rest of the camera OK I'd have it repaired. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted June 2, 2007 Share #6 Posted June 2, 2007 James - I am sure you're right. R4s are actually notorious for light leaks, but a 30 year old anything is going to need a service every now and again. Bear in mind, though, that the value of old R kit has fallen so far that repais to old R4s are probably uneconomic. You can buy an ex-demo R8 for £299. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted June 2, 2007 Share #7 Posted June 2, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) £299 Where have you seen that Andy? R8's I've noticed recently in the sub £600 price range but not that low. £250/£300 is what I'd say the going rate is for a decent R4 (dealer price for a warrantied item). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted June 2, 2007 Share #8 Posted June 2, 2007 Wilkinson's in Preston had two. One black, one silver, on Tuesday. I nearly bought the black one, but don't really need another camera right now Stephens in Manchester have one in their window (unpriced), and talking to them yesterday, R lens prices are going through the floor. He has just sold a mint 21-35 for less than a grand. Not a good time should anyone wish to off-load R kit... Interestingly, Leica no longer insist that dealers hold stock of new R kit. This is a change of policy in the last year or so, so new stuff is often available only to order. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobbylon Posted June 2, 2007 Author Share #9 Posted June 2, 2007 thx all, the band of unexposed film is at the top of photo on the long side, gradually becoming exposed as you move down the frame. It's only the top 4-5mm maybe from edge to edge. Frames are completely random with approx 3 per roll. Guess which it happens on! yep, the ones I want! Camera was serviced about 3-4 years ago but hasn't been used a lot since. I would just forget about it but it's in mint condition, no rubbing or scratches anywhere! Late serial portugal 161xxxx in black. Andy, R8 ex demo 299, where? I will probably send the R4 over to CRR when they start taking repairs in again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted June 2, 2007 Share #10 Posted June 2, 2007 Wilkinson's in Preston had two. One black, one silver, on Tuesday. I nearly bought the black one, but don't really need another camera right now Stephens in Manchester have one in their window (unpriced), and talking to them yesterday, R lens prices are going through the floor. He has just sold a mint 21-35 for less than a grand. Not a good time should anyone wish to off-load R kit... Interestingly, Leica no longer insist that dealers hold stock of new R kit. This is a change of policy in the last year or so, so new stuff is often available only to order. S/hand R prices are falling ... check this R5 with 50/2 at just £225 ... http://www.mwclassic.com/acatalog/MW_Classic_Cameras_LEICA__LEICA_COPY_2.html Dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted June 2, 2007 Share #11 Posted June 2, 2007 I will probably send the R4 over to CRR when they start taking repairs in again. John, if you are referring to the text on their homepage that says they are not taking any more repairs, it may be worthwhile giving them a call. Ever since I first heard of them their homepage has been saying that they can't take any repairs until some future date. They just advance the date every few months. I assume it's to stop people just sending them stuff without getting the ok first. The R8s that Andy mentions are at Wilkinson's in Preston. If I didn't already have one, the black model would have gone by now <grin> Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobbylon Posted June 2, 2007 Author Share #12 Posted June 2, 2007 thx for that Steve, I will try and give them a ring on monday, I think it's worth having it fixed as otherwise it will just get put away! Sounds cheap for an R8. I do like mine, however I do find it is just a bit on the big side. Feels nice in the hand though. I don't really use the R's a lot since I got hold of an M6 but I do have a couple of lenses for the R's and it's a pity not to use them now and then. Thx to all for the input, kind regards john Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted June 4, 2007 Share #13 Posted June 4, 2007 I did phone Wilkinsons but they said both were sold almost immediately. Damn. No others available and no s/h stock either (I was thinking if they're selling ex demo's at £299 what would their s/h prices be? - going rate seems to be £500+ for a s/h R8). Out of interest I did an e bay search and the last one sold there for £505 body only. Andy, you should've snapped them up, I reckon you'd have easily sold them at a profit! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted June 4, 2007 Share #14 Posted June 4, 2007 That's why I will never be rich, James. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
S. Wong Posted June 4, 2007 Share #15 Posted June 4, 2007 I'm looking for a replacement for my R4, so this news about prices dropping is good for me. I hear that the SL/2, R6/6.2, R8, R9 are the best, and for some reason, that R8 is the cheapst I've heard of. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted June 5, 2007 Share #16 Posted June 5, 2007 S/hand R prices are falling ... check this R5 with 50/2 at just £225 ... http://www.mwclassic.com/acatalog/MW_Classic_Cameras_LEICA__LEICA_COPY_2.html Dunk It is gone now ... ie sold Dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted June 6, 2007 Share #17 Posted June 6, 2007 Well, the 'cheap' R's mentioned here have all been snapped up, generally prices are still much higher than these examples so its not all doom and gloom for the R system and clearly there are people out there that still want this kit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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