Favorite Fully Mechanical Leica R camera?

[mmx_2]

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1 hour ago, TomB_tx said:

If Leica had an adapter with full auto-diaphragm linkage and aperture sensing like a film M, the SL2 would be ideal. It is true that EVF focusing while stopped down to moderate apertures still works well, but I wish they made the adapter to work fully with 2&3 cam lenses.

This is exactly my thinking! Especially for the wides, I find it difficult to find the focal plane when stopped down, YES, you could argue that the DOF will make it less important, but I still think current EVF offerings have some problems with wides like the Elmarit 19, and I have missed the correct focal plane on several occasions.

A dream would be Leica R10 "branded" SL2 with auto-diaphragm linkage and aperture sensing and fixed adapter. The AF chip could be removed. It would require a little development, but honestly not that much.

The second "best" idea would be a new adapter like above. That would make me interested in the SL2 at least.

[masjah]

1 hour ago, TomB_tx said:

If Leica had an adapter with full auto-diaphragm linkage and aperture sensing like a film M, the SL2 would be ideal. It is true that EVF focusing while stopped down to moderate apertures still works well, but I wish they made the adapter to work fully with 2&3 cam lenses.

Do you mean "like a film R"? (There's no aperture linkage on a film M.) But yes indeed, that is the missing link.

 

[TomB_tx]

50 minutes ago, masjah said:

Do you mean "like a film R"? (There's no aperture linkage on a film M.) But yes indeed, that is the missing link.

 

Oops, another senior moment...

[John Z. Goriup]

The Leica R 6.2 is the best non-rangefinder Leica I have ever owned. Combined with the 100mm f2.8 APO Macro-Elmarit R lens ( among others ) it renders images that will leave you speechless. If you're into film, you won't do better with any other Leica.

JZG

[telyt]

My favorite is the Leicaflex SL, for the fabulous viewfinder, reliability and sensory feedback.  The R6 and R6.2 aren't fully mechanical; the self-timer is electronic.  The smaller R bodies (R4 through R7) are not as robust as the Leicaflexes.  For example the tripod mount of the smaller R bodies is attached directly to the main casting and when over-stressed will break the main casting.  The Leicaflexes' tripod socket is on a sub-frame which acts as a weak link when stresses (think of it as a fuse in the system) and is easily replaced assuming parts can be found or scavenged.

Regarding cams and compatibility, having the Leicafelx cams as 3-cam lenses do does not guarantee compatibility with the Leicaflex or Leicaflex SL.  A small change in mirror clearance specs was made with the Leicaflex SL2 to allow a few Minolta-produced lenses to fit.  This spec was carried forward to the R bodies.  The lenses I know of that conform to the Minolta spec include 15mm, 16mm fisheye, late 19mm, 24mm, 35mm Summilux, last 50mm Summilux (E60) and the first 80-200 f/4.5 zoom.  Probably a few I've missed as well.  A few of these were even produced as 2-cam lenses before the R bodies were available.  These lenses cannot be used on the Leicaflex or Leicaflex SL.

ROM lenses do not have Leicaflex cams but many that do not have the Minolta mirror clearance spec may be used on the Leicaflex SL with some simple modifications, without removing the ROM contacts.  As originally built, R-only and ROM lenses were supplied with a mounting flange that was compatible with R cameras but not with Leicaflexes.  These flanges have an additional shoulder on the inner edge of the flange that prevents use on Leicaflexes, but the corresponding flange on the Leicaflex body can be trimmed to accommodate the R-only lens.  The next step in the modifications is to add the 2nd Leicaflex cam to the lens.  My 280/4 APO lenses is such a lens (ROM + 2nd cam), and my Leicaflex SL bodies' flanges have been trimmed to allow R-only lenses.  This modification will not work for Leicaflex or Leicaflex SL2 because the original Leicaflex cam is located where the ROM contacts ended up.

 

Edited September 12, 2020 by telyt

[hamey]

22 hours ago, masjah said:

Doesn't the SL2 + Leica R adapter fit the bill well enough? (OK there's surplus AF electronics for SL lenses, but with R lenses you don't know they are there.) The build of the SL2 to me has that LeicaflexSL2 tank like quality about it.

 

Hello John.

Hope your well, I don't particular like the agronomics and interface of the SL as to me it's too Menu oriented, and I feel it's also optimised towards AF lenses with only a secondary approach towards Manual Focus  operation, after all Leica wants us to buy SL Auto Focus lenses,  not hang on to those wrist driven lenses.

Also to another point, I'am not keen with having to buy an adapter for my beloved R lenses as it's a further expense to me at 1100 USD for that privilege,   it's outrages, highway robbery.

What I meant is for A LEICAFLEX SL2 type, I know it's NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN, I am now in my seventies, body is slowing down, and  eye vision gets more poorer as the years progress, perhaps I should stop dreaming and just use what I got, however last week I ordered another adapter with a focus confirmation chip for my Leica R to Canon EOS  from B&H

I hope it works as I feel that Leica R lenses integrate beautifully onto Canon EOS bodies. 

Ken.

 

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Edited September 12, 2020 by hamey

[ramarren]

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My favorite is the Leicaflex SL, superb ergonomics and engineering work, a beautiful piece, a stunning viewfinder. But the last mechanical R camera, the R6.2, is the one I use more because of its smaller size, lower weight, and dual metering system. 

G

[SocialKonstruct]

My fav is the Leica R-E. Cheap and light and good with my 2 lenses.

[a.noctilux]

5 hours ago, SocialKonstruct said:

My fav is the Leica R-E. Cheap and light and good with my 2 lenses.

Hello Albert, can we consider (as the OP mention in title) Leica R-E as Fully Mechanical ?

As side note, this is my last prefered Leica R (for user, it's sweet spot for handling, auto "A" only when needed and spot meter for precise manual),

coupled with Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm, R-E is a joy to use, this "right" bumping at rear "door" helps for balance ( ...R6 has this also but lacks of "A" when needed).

[Canonier]

No, we can't consider the R-E fully mechanical, it's fully electronical.

[a.noctilux]

R-E ?

Not fully electronical neither,

I appreciate, when batteries die I can use (? limited use ! ) in 1/100 to finish the photo session.

Once, I had too old battery set as back-up * which was able to do only few frames, so I finished with the only manual speed (with "B" I think).

In this case, the unusual long shutter travel can bother if we are not prepared for.

...

As side note, R-E short life in catalog, only about 6,000 made.

 

* fault to the R-E battery 'soberness' lasting very long.

[R6M6]

R6.2 = Compact, nicely designed, good handling ,2 measurings, haptic is impressiv

[Mona]

On 8/5/2020 at 1:31 PM, Rancho said:

Hello everybody,,

I own the Leica R8 and love it, but I've wanted to try my hand at some of the fully mechanical Leica R cameras so I'm looking for recommendations!

I've heard good things about the Leica R6.2 and Leicaflex SL2, but otherwise I'm fairly unfamiliar with the all mechanical Leica Rs.

So what are some people's favorites?

Thanks!

I currently have the LeicaFlex SL2 and I am just enamored with how amazing this camera is. The feel, the weight, the sounds of the shutter opening and closing, the potential of the lens I’m using (Elmarit 60mm f/2.8) - it’s pretty amazing and gets your anticipation up for what exactly your image will look like.

I’m venturing into the Ilford SFX 200 film and I’ve been looking at multiple sources to find an IR lens that will fit that 60mm lens I’m using and I’m not gonna lie...it’s a difficult and confusing search.

[Canonier]

You don't need an IR lens, but an IR filter. Any lens can be used for IR. Just google for a R 72 IR filter.

[Mona]

16 minutes ago, Canonier said:

You don't need an IR lens, but an IR filter. Any lens can be used for IR. Just google for a R 72 IR filter.

Oh yes! You’re correct. I don’t need a lens, but rather a filter, however, it has been difficult to find one to fit the Elmarit 60mm f/2.8 lens. From what I’ve gathered, 1) I need a specific lens hood (#12514) to fit a Series VIII filter, however, the filters I’ve most commonly found is a UVA filter, but 2) need an IR filter.

[Canonier]

Oh sorry, it has this weid Leica filter system. This can be difficult indeed plus expensive. Perhaps you can work with an adaptor here?

[gbealnz]

Bear in mind as well that (in my case, Rollei SuperPan 200) you may need a specific wavelength filter. I'd have to check, but I think I ended up with an 800Nm, or similar, not my usual run of the mill 720Nm. Check what Rollei recommend. SuperPan 200 though was a great film to use, with filter I/R, without filter, normal.

Gary

[Mona]

9 hours ago, gbealnz said:

Bear in mind as well that (in my case, Rollei SuperPan 200) you may need a specific wavelength filter. I'd have to check, but I think I ended up with an 800Nm, or similar, not my usual run of the mill 720Nm. Check what Rollei recommend. SuperPan 200 though was a great film to use, with filter I/R, without filter, normal.

Gary

So the Ilford SFX 200 doesn’t specify a specific IR wavelength, however, I did find this website that explains in detail the different IR wavelength filters available as well as the different outcomes in both color and black and white photography.

https://kolarivision.com/articles/choosing-a-filter/

And the Ilford SFX 200 is the same as the SuperPan 200 whereas when used with an IR filter, very whimsical results, and when used without an IR filter, it produces typical black and white photos.

[telyt]

On 9/22/2020 at 12:36 PM, Canonier said:

Oh sorry, it has this weid Leica filter system. This can be difficult indeed plus expensive. Perhaps you can work with an adaptor here?

The 60mm Macro-Elmarit-R can use standard filters.  The early versions can use an E60 filter, the later versions use a 55mm filter.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[a.noctilux]

Mona, you can have many solutions for IR filter or adapters,

have a look here to have ideas for adapter