First SLR, SL, R6 or R8??

[Brenton C]

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What?! Film is out? I just bought some last week--did I miss some big event while I've been tumed out this week listening to my vinyl records?

 

What about the Leica T? A digital camera!

But you should take the Visoflex II too.

Film is out! (I ´m waiting for the storm now)

Jan

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[Norse]

Film, out? When, why was not I informed.....Next thing will be someone telling us music will be digital, right!

[Norse]

Wish I'd seen James' comments on the R3 before I bought my R4. I'm not complaining--I love the camera. I just think the R3 would be more up my alley.

 

And speaking of alleys, I noted some conflicted interest in the M cameras. See if you can beg a loaner for a day. I had a bit of trouble at first with focussing, til it occured to me to use lens tissue on to clean the viewer and other rf glass bits. 

 

I've been an slr guy for 40 years, but I have to tell you, the M is a love affair waiting to happen.

 

I suspect you will be a happy man with a wife and a mistress. Uhh, I mean an R and an M.

 

 

 

Hehhhe, thanks for a good reply.

Well, maybe one day, I get myself a mistress....one day...

[jankap]

What?! Film is out? I just bought some last week--did I miss some big event while I've been tumed out this week listening to my vinyl records?

 

Well, I suppose, that you - like Brenton - use vinyl. At least you have left the Edison wax rolls behind you!

Ever heard of 5.1?

 

We must consume and not preserve!

Jan

[Norse]

5,1?

Ehhhmm, was there a R5.1 also?

[jankap]

I give up, you win. Skol, Rodinal galore.

Jan

[Hugh 38]

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Just  to  add my  little  bit.  I  have  no  experience  with the    R8 , R9  or  R6.2   so  can not  comment  on  them .

 

Do  you  use flash ?  The  SL    does not  have  a   hotshot  so  you have  to  use  a  lead  . The   R6   has a hot  shoe   and  the  TTL   flash  system  is  good . I can connect  my  Metz  45   gun  ands  get  good  flash  exposure.  The   R3, R4 , R5   have  hot  shoes  but  no  TTL .

 

Personally  I prefer   the  focus  screens  on the   R6  and  SL2   with the   split   circle  thing , micro prism   collar  and  matte  screen . The  SL  only  has  the  ground  glass  centre   circle  which  is  good  , but   the others  are  better . 

As  mentioned  the   built  in  eye  sight  diopter   n the  R6   is  very  useful  as I   can use  the  camera  with or  without  glasses /  contact lenses. 

 

The  R6  is  a little  smaller  and  lighter  than  the  SL . 

 

The  spot  meter   on the  R6  is  very  useful  on  occasions  , especially  in  low  light  where  the  R6 outperforms   the  SL.  The  SL  and  SL2  are    centre  weighted.  You can  easily   fit on  a motor  drive  / winder  onto  an R6 . With   an Sl  or SL2   you have  to get the motorised  versions  which a re   few  and  far  between  and   are  collectable and  expensive. 

 

If  you  can  find  a  working  R3  or   R4  then  great .  I  like  the    handling  of the  R3  and  the  R4  feels   very  compact .  However  many  have  electrical  problems.  The  R4s mod2   is  good  and  the  electronics  issues   appear  to   have been  sorted out  on them  . 

 

Whatever  you get  ,  have  fun  !

[a911s]

Having used them all, I'd go with a Leicaflex SL or SL2. 

[ferdinand]

 

 

The  spot  meter   on the  R6  is  very  useful  on  occasions  , especially  in  low  light  where  the  R6 outperforms   the  SL.  The  SL  and  SL2  are    centre  weighted.  

 

There is no 'real' spot meter on Leica SLR, the measurement in the offered modus is called selective metering and metering is only inside the circle of the screen. Spot meter has a much smaller diameter of measurement.

 

It is on the SL, SL2 and at R6/6.2/R7/R8/R9 always the same principle. SL and SL2 do not have any center weighted metering, the measurement is only selective for SL and SL2.

[ph.]

First, as film using mechanisms go , I find the R8\9 s viewfinder better than that of my SL. The light metering of course is very much more advanced, but then again, a separate Metrawatt is equally good if you have time for pondering exposure. The R models' huge advantage is that they will take the last R lenses -which are very good.

 

Second, if you wish to use manual optics, the digital SLRs  have substandard viewfinders, the film ones have a much better view.. Dark and difficult to find correct focus even with supposedly "manual focus" matte screens. They work in good light, become difficult to use in lower light. Yes, digital machines have "live view" if you press buttons or access menus while the motive disappears. They also have "chipped adapters" that beep when they think you have achieved focus. Depending on the host camera this might be the right focus,  or it might not.

 

Still I must admit, I mostly use my R-optics on a digital. My snaps are no better, but easier to correct. Once in a while I use the Rs, since projected diapositives (through the Pradovit) surpass anything digital i have seen so far.

 

p.

[Hugh 38]

There is no 'real' spot meter on Leica SLR, the measurement in the offered modus is called selective metering and metering is only inside the circle of the screen. Spot meter has a much smaller diameter of measurement.

 

It is on the SL, SL2 and at R6/6.2/R7/R8/R9 always the same principle. SL and SL2 do not have any center weighted metering, the measurement is only selective for SL and SL2.

 

 

Thank you  for the  technical   explanation  and  clarification   about  the  metering  systems. 

I have   seen  references  to   the  'selective ' meter  on  an  R6  as  spot   and  I  think  having  the    square  and  circle   symbols  on the  R6  has   made  me  think of a   spot . I must  think  of the   circle  as  a  selective  circle  in  future  . 

[Brenton C]

Keep in mind that these are all terrific cameras, all with their limitations, but also the strengths that carried onthe family name. Which ever you choose, you're in for a treat. And after getting used to your first choice,mshould you change your mind, you'll be able to flip your camera with little or no loss, en route to the next one.

 

you've all got me eager to try an R3 and an R6.2 in that order.

[erl]

Ferdi of course, I have no doubt, is quite correct about the 'spot' meter concept. I have for many years had and used (still have) an R8, which I rate as the most ergononic body I have ever used, the best optical VF ever and a lovely camera to use. It is heavy, but I come from a life of using and carrying Hasselblad gear, so don't complain about weight.

 

Interestingly, the Blad 203FE, my favourite Hasselblad, has 'spot' metering. I have always referred to it as  a 'Fat Spot' meter and use it accordingly. I suspect the R8/9 meter to be the same. Also the Leica M6/7 is in that category IMO. ie.Not centre weighted, but cente specific. More useable, at least for me. It requires engagement with your brain.

[ramarren]

I have and use both the Leicaflex SL and the R8. Both are excellent cameras. 

 

Leicaflex SLs are getting old enough that finding one in excellent condition can be a bit tricky. With the correct battery, the meter is fine. I haven't used a battery adapter yet (still have good PX625 mercury cells in stock). Some of them show degradation of the prism silvering at this age. 

 

The R8 is a brilliant camera, with excellent ergonomics and feel. Getting one serviced might be difficult, but I haven't needed to. The biggest thing I have to get used to with the R8 is that the electronics are very old tech and quite slow ... It can take a few seconds after power on for the camera to be ready to use. 

 

I use the R8 more than the SL. That's not saying much because I shoot only a few rolls of film per year these days. And the SL's mechanical nature make it a joy even when the battery is dead. 

 

Good luck. :-)

[earleygallery]

Ferdi of course, I have no doubt, is quite correct about the 'spot' meter concept. I have for many years had and used (still have) an R8, which I rate as the most ergononic body I have ever used, the best optical VF ever and a lovely camera to use. It is heavy, but I come from a life of using and carrying Hasselblad gear, so don't complain about weight.

 

Interestingly, the Blad 203FE, my favourite Hasselblad, has 'spot' metering. I have always referred to it as  a 'Fat Spot' meter and use it accordingly. I suspect the R8/9 meter to be the same. Also the Leica M6/7 is in that category IMO. ie.Not centre weighted, but cente specific. More useable, at least for me. It requires engagement with your brain.

 

On my R3 (and most of the R's I think) you can choose centre weighted metering over the whole frame, or 'spot' which is the central circular split image area. It's very useful when taking a photo of something/someone in front of a bright background etc., or metering off something mid tone.

 

Whilst not true spot, it's a consistent selective area. The film M's 'fat spot' meter effectively changes size depending on which lens is used, so needs some understanding to use it effectively.

[erl]

On my R3 (and most of the R's I think) you can choose centre weighted metering over the whole frame, or 'spot' which is the central circular split image area. It's very useful when taking a photo of something/someone in front of a bright background etc., or metering off something mid tone.

 

Whilst not true spot, it's a consistent selective area. The film M's 'fat spot' meter effectively changes size depending on which lens is used, so needs some understanding to use it effectively.

To further illuminate the point, The R8/9 employs three settings for metering. Average (of full frame), centre weighted and spot (so called), which is also focal length dependent in the manner that James says.

 

My personal preference is mostly the 'fat spot' reading. Probably because I do a lot of low light and stage work where fringes are frequently dark or black and mislead the other metering methods.

[pebbles]

The R8 is a mammoth of a camera. if you are simply wanting to take good pictures with a range of different lenses then I would plumb for an R4s, preferably a model 2. I have had mine for thirty years and nothing has gone wrong. It works as well as the day it was bought (secondhand from hove cameras). It is a small SLR and the controls are all in the right place.I would take my M6 or  my R4s or my Leica III on any occasion and I know I would get good images.

[Locutus]

I think the size of the R8/9 is a bit overstated sometimes, its not really bigger then a Nikon F100 or D700.

 

Admittedly those 2 provide autofocus and motordrive on top of that but it doesn't mean the R8 is unwieldy large.

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[masjah]

I think the size of the R8/9 is a bit overstated sometimes, its not really bigger then a Nikon F100 or D700.

 

Admittedly those 2 provide autofocus and motordrive on top of that but it doesn't mean the R8 is unwieldy large.

 

Agreed.  For me (and for several others I know) the form seems to sit so naturally in the hands that the relatively large size just doesn't seem to be an issue. Do try before rejecting an R8/R9.

[Bobitybob]

I've got two R8s one of which I use with a DMR (but that's another subject), and a R4. The R8 and winder (as I normally use it) although heavyish is lighter than my Canon EOS 1n and battery grip!  I would say the R8 is a great camera and as the number suggests twice as good as the R4.

 

Hope that's helpful.