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Leica R3 Safari or Leica R6?

marco febbrari

By marco febbrari
in Leica R System

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adan

adan

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From a practicality stand-point, I like that the R6 is battery-independent.

On the other hand, I always thought the R3 was the most appropriate camera size for the R-system. It felt more like the true "electronic successor" to the chunky SL/SL2 cameras.

To me, the later R-cameras always felt cramped with R lenses other than the 50 f/2 (and the R8/9 were too bulbous and melted-feeling). And I do have a soft spot for the Safari paint jobs - they came out when I was young and foolish and falling in love. ;)

Seeing and handling a used R3 around 1990 made me run out and find a Nikon F3 to use with my existing Nikkors. I could always fantasize it was an R3.

But it is now so long since I handled either one, that I would want a fresh hands-on trial to make up my mind today.

 

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Stuart Richardson

Stuart Richardson

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Wasn't the R6 made by Leica in Germany, and the R3 made by Minolta in Japan? I am not sure how important that is to you, but it is a consideration. I had the R6 at one point and enjoyed it. A very good and basic camera to use R lenses. I preferred the R9, but in some ways the R6 fit my hands better (I have a smaller build...so does the camera). 

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dkCambridgeshire

dkCambridgeshire

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Safari R3 cameras can stick on dealers' shelves for months (depending on price) … whereas R6 / R6 II usually sell reasonably quickly. 

If you shop around you should be able to source a 'regular' R3 a lot cheaper than the Safari model. 

Which Leica R lenses do you have or plan to acquire? You'll need 'triple cam' or R 'single cam' lenses for the R3 and R6.

dunk 

 

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adan

adan

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4 hours ago, Stuart Richardson said:

Wasn't the R6 made by Leica in Germany, and the R3 made by Minolta in Japan?

The R3 was assembled in Wetzlar and Leitz/Portugal.

I'd guess the parts content was maybe 50/50 Minolta/Leitz. I'm sure a lot of the "house-keeping" parts were Minolta-made (on/off switch; ISO/compensation dial; viewfinder/readouts; frame counter; film spools, rails and cocking; most of the gross internal architecture of metal plates; self-timer, and so on).

The R3 had a more complex metering system (added spot capability via a semi-silvered mirror, as well as averaging via cells through the pentaprism, like the XE-7). The lens communication items (cams or levers) were different for the different mounts, as was the DoF-preview mechanism (push-button for Minolta, lever for R3).

Both shared a Copal shutter built to Leitz specs. In some ways, the XE-7 was as "Germanic" as the R3 was "Japanese."

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marco febbrari

marco febbrari

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Thank you all.

 I found a practically new R4s but with a gray mirror box (I think I will repaint it with a matte black paint). Together with the R4s, a 28 Elmarit first version with three cams, practically new, including packaging, hood and filter series 7 UVA Leica.

Happy New Year to all!

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earleygallery

earleygallery

Posted
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On 12/27/2019 at 8:43 AM, adan said:

From a practicality stand-point, I like that the R6 is battery-independent.

On the other hand, I always thought the R3 was the most appropriate camera size for the R-system. It felt more like the true "electronic successor" to the chunky SL/SL2 cameras.

To me, the later R-cameras always felt cramped with R lenses other than the 50 f/2 (and the R8/9 were too bulbous and melted-feeling). And I do have a soft spot for the Safari paint jobs - they came out when I was young and foolish and falling in love. ;)

Seeing and handling a used R3 around 1990 made me run out and find a Nikon F3 to use with my existing Nikkors. I could always fantasize it was an R3.

But it is now so long since I handled either one, that I would want a fresh hands-on trial to make up my mind today.

 

I have had R3’s since the 80’s (my Dad bought me one ex demo after the R4 was introduced). It’s not just a rebadged Minolta, much of the design is down to Leica. 

It’s a great camera with a lovely quiet shutter action and useful spot metering mode, but many now seem to be developing shutter faults which can’t be repaired.

My original R3 went and several repairers told me it couldn’t be fixed. 

2 bodies I bought were found to have the same fault on arrival and one I recently checked at a camera shop in London. 

I wouldn’t advise buying one without throughly checking it out first, but the R6 is a better choice I think given the mechanical shutter (however I understand that it’s like a sealed unit so also likely to be a problem if it fails).

 

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mole73

mole73

Posted
Posted

Steve, my personal choice for the best M counterpart to the R6 and R6.2 is the MP.

Nearly the same size, built in meter and (more or less) spot metering.

I don't know the R3 but for me it looks a bit like a Leicaflex SL 3 in a positive way... 😉

Robert

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spydrxx

spydrxx

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I'd go for the R6 based on it being newer and without batteries. But having owned an R3 for a few years, and very pleased with its performance, I's say go with the best deal, which probably is the R6, I hear numerous stories about the R3 electronics failing, and not being repairable, which is a real shame.

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sblitz

sblitz

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13 hours ago, mole73 said:

Steve, my personal choice for the best M counterpart to the R6 and R6.2 is the MP.

Nearly the same size, built in meter and (more or less) spot metering.

I don't know the R3 but for me it looks a bit like a Leicaflex SL 3 in a positive way... 😉

Robert

MP, wouldn't argue since it is so well made and has the meter .... point is the same though, R6 R6.2 is what to buy today. 

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Ornello

Ornello

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Posted
On 12/27/2019 at 3:43 AM, adan said:

From a practicality stand-point, I like that the R6 is battery-independent.

On the other hand, I always thought the R3 was the most appropriate camera size for the R-system. It felt more like the true "electronic successor" to the chunky SL/SL2 cameras.

To me, the later R-cameras always felt cramped with R lenses other than the 50 f/2 (and the R8/9 were too bulbous and melted-feeling). And I do have a soft spot for the Safari paint jobs - they came out when I was young and foolish and falling in love. ;)

Seeing and handling a used R3 around 1990 made me run out and find a Nikon F3 to use with my existing Nikkors. I could always fantasize it was an R3.

But it is now so long since I handled either one, that I would want a fresh hands-on trial to make up my mind today.

 

What is 'chunky' about Leicaflex cameras? I think the size and shape are just fine!

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