cpclee Posted November 19, 2022 Share #1 Posted November 19, 2022 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm looking to buy an R5 or RE as a second / backup body to my R9. I will load 100-160 speed film in the R9 while 400-800 in the R5 / RE. In the past I'd use something like a Contax T3 or Ricoh GR1s as backup but with old R bodies getting cheap I say why not. Those compact P&Ss now cost far more! My questions are: 1. How bright or crisp is the viewfinder in the R5 or RE? I used to have an R6.2. Can I expect the R5 / RE finder to be as bright and contrasty as the R6.2's? 2. I understand there is no OFF switch on the R5 / RE so there might be a risk of accidentally draining the batteries if the camera is sitting in a bag with its shutter button half pressed. On the M6 classic, which I have, you can prevent the meter from turning on by setting the shutter speed dial to B. Does this trick also work on the R5 / RE? Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 19, 2022 Posted November 19, 2022 Hi cpclee, Take a look here R5 / RE questions. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Andreas_Kreuz Posted November 19, 2022 Share #2 Posted November 19, 2022 vor 19 Minuten schrieb cpclee: 1. .... Can I expect the R5 / RE finder to be as bright and contrasty as the R6.2's? Yes vor 19 Minuten schrieb cpclee: 2. I understand there is no OFF switch on the R5 / RE so there might be a risk of accidentally draining the batteries if the camera is sitting in a bag with its shutter button half pressed. On the M6 classic, which I have, you can prevent the meter from turning on by setting the shutter speed dial to B. Does this trick also work on the R5 / RE? No 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hepcat Posted November 19, 2022 Share #3 Posted November 19, 2022 5 minutes ago, Andreas_Kreuz said: Yes No ⬆️⬆️⬆️ What Andreas said... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpclee Posted November 19, 2022 Author Share #4 Posted November 19, 2022 Thanks. To bad -- I think the M approach makes more sense for why would you need metering in B mode! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith (M) Posted November 19, 2022 Share #5 Posted November 19, 2022 Can't say I have ever inadvertently exhausted the battery of my R5, despite it being carried in a close fitting bag. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonnelacht Posted November 19, 2022 Share #6 Posted November 19, 2022 Why not take a R8 which is nearly as cheap as the RE / R5? An advantage not to underestimate is the similar handling to your R9. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huss Posted November 19, 2022 Share #7 Posted November 19, 2022 Advertisement (gone after registration) The RE/R5 are so under-rated. I had a couple as backups to my R8 and R9, but used them a lot as they were so compact feeling, and just plain great! 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hepcat Posted November 19, 2022 Share #8 Posted November 19, 2022 32 minutes ago, cpclee said: Thanks. To bad -- I think the M approach makes more sense for why would you need metering in B mode! I had an R8 several years ago that I just couldn't warm up to. I have an R5 and R6.2. The R5 really IS underrated. I've had no issues running my battery down either. I like that the R4 to R7 all share focusing screens and other accessories as well. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hepcat Posted November 19, 2022 Share #9 Posted November 19, 2022 23 minutes ago, Sonnelacht said: Why not take a R8 which is nearly as cheap as the RE / R5? An advantage not to underestimate is the similar handling to your R9. I dunno.... I bought my R5 from KEH for $207. I haven't seen an R8 anywhere near that. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonnelacht Posted November 20, 2022 Share #10 Posted November 20, 2022 OK, in Germany today you have to invest 4- to 500€. But compare it with the price when it was new! Stable value with Leica gear - you may laugh! BTW: the current price for the R5 in Germany is between 3- and 500€. Not too much difference. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andreas_Kreuz Posted November 20, 2022 Share #11 Posted November 20, 2022 vor 1 Stunde schrieb cpclee: the M approach makes more sense for why would you need metering in B mode It's not metering in B-Mode, it's the LEDs in the viewfinder 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hepcat Posted November 20, 2022 Share #12 Posted November 20, 2022 3 minutes ago, Sonnelacht said: OK, in Germany today you have to invest 4- to 500€. But compare it with the price when it was new! Stable value with Leica gear - you may laugh! BTW: the current price for the R5 in Germany is between 3- and 500€. Not too much difference. I did some research on the new prices of the R6 and R5... it's no wonder I didn't own either of them when they were new! My R5 has dropped about $3000 in value since it was new. Incredible. List Prices in 1989-1992 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonnelacht Posted November 20, 2022 Share #13 Posted November 20, 2022 ...and sad! 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpclee Posted November 20, 2022 Author Share #14 Posted November 20, 2022 3 hours ago, Sonnelacht said: Why not take a R8 which is nearly as cheap as the RE / R5? An advantage not to underestimate is the similar handling to your R9. The RE is still about $100-150 cheaper than the R8 where I am plus I get a more compact camera when that's an advantage. But I do love the R8 / R9 as my primary SLR. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpclee Posted November 20, 2022 Author Share #15 Posted November 20, 2022 3 hours ago, hepcat said: I had an R8 several years ago that I just couldn't warm up to. I have an R5 and R6.2. The R5 really IS underrated. I've had no issues running my battery down either. I like that the R4 to R7 all share focusing screens and other accessories as well. The R8 / R9 could begin to make more sense if you use the larger zooms or advanced flash functions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpclee Posted November 20, 2022 Author Share #16 Posted November 20, 2022 2 hours ago, Andreas_Kreuz said: It's not metering in B-Mode, it's the LEDs in the viewfinder That makes sense now/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpclee Posted November 20, 2022 Author Share #17 Posted November 20, 2022 3 hours ago, hepcat said: I dunno.... I bought my R5 from KEH for $207. I haven't seen an R8 anywhere near that. May I ask what condition the $207 R5 was rated at? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hepcat Posted November 20, 2022 Share #18 Posted November 20, 2022 4 minutes ago, cpclee said: May I ask what condition the $207 R5 was rated at? KEH Excellent. And it is. I couldn't NOT buy it. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/348627-r5-re-questions/?do=findComment&comment=4570857'>More sharing options...
cpclee Posted November 20, 2022 Author Share #19 Posted November 20, 2022 37 minutes ago, hepcat said: KEH Excellent. And it is. I couldn't NOT buy it. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Looks to be a steal. Thanks for sharing! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hepcat Posted November 20, 2022 Share #20 Posted November 20, 2022 11 hours ago, cpclee said: Looks to be a steal. Thanks for sharing! My pleasure! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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