R8 or R9?

[IkarusJohn]

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I’m using my SL with my APO-Elmarit-R 180/2.8 and APO 2x converter, and considering moving back to film.  I have an M-A and an SWC, and am thinking about getting an R body.  For those with experience of both, and knowledge of how robust they are, which would you recommend?

Also thinking of adding a couple more lenses.  Recommendations welcome.

Thanks in advance.
John

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[250swb]

@IkarusJohn I went through the R8 or R9 debate myself a year ago and came down on the side of the R9, because everything I read about it seems to suggest it's more reliable than the R8, and it's lighter. There is a serial number point when the R8 had early issues addressed, so research it and don't buy an early one, but equally there are plenty of R8's around that continue to work without any problems. I also took the opportunity to get two more lenses to make what I consider the perfect package, the 21/35 Vario Elmar and the 35/70 Vario Elmar. I carry either both together or for a lighter kit the 21/35 with a 50 or the 35/70 with a 24. The Vario Elmar's may be too slow for some but the brightness of the R9 viewfinder makes them very easy to focus even with a filter on.

Whichever you choose the R8 or R9 are as everybody says a delight to use and hold

Edited April 25 by 250swb

[masjah]

I too would go for the R9 As @250swb says, the 21-35 zoom would be an excellent choice for the wide end. For the mid focal length ranges I would also consider biting the bullet, and buying a 28-90 zoom. Depending on how wide your style needs you to go, 28 might even be wide enough. It is also one of the last R lenses Leica produced, so they are all ROM. There are plenty around, and prices have come down a bit if you look around. Personally I would avoid the much earlier 28-70 design, as I understand that it does have some significant geometric distortion.

 

[YcPhoto]

@IkarusJohnI have both R8 (with DMR) and R9 (with motor drive) currently, so I could share my experiences to you.

Around 10 years ago I got my first Leica R8 when I was in secondary school, before it was being stolen in Brussels Midi Railway Station, it never gets into serious issues with it. The first issue with my R8 is the touching point of the battery box, the staff of the camera store clean it with wet lens wipe and it works again, and the second problem is the touching point of the back cover. I cleaned the touching point with lens wipe and it works properly again. 

After that, I got a Leica R9 in summer of 2024, this camera works well on me until this January, it was suffering from the problem of shutter release button (I start a topic in this forum and you could have a look at it through my profile). Although the technician of the repairing centre did not tell me the reason in detail about the reason that why my camera will suffer from this problem, I would recommend that do remember to get a hot shoe cover on your R9. As my camera did get hit by rain without getting my hot shoe protected, and the structure of the electronic parts of R9 is complex than R8 as they have a frame counter on the top, the circuit inside will have great differences.

Compare to my using experience with my previous R8, in a long term of using experience, my R8 did not have any issues even though it was hit by rain without getting my hot shoe protected (this is my lack of experience in the early times when I roll into photography, new comers should get you camera hot shoe protected well to avoid anything electronic issues cause by weather). Also my R8 is the third batch production according to it's serial number (it is 2465435, see if anyone in the forum have a chance of getting the ones I used to have), it did not have the problems mentioning in the earlier production model.

Finally, I have my advies on both R8 and R9. If you have budget concerns, just grab a R8 is enough; if you are looking for a lighter choice, or a secured power switch avoid accidental switch-on, grab yourself a R9.

[TomB_tx]

I just went with the R8 due to price difference and availability, and have been very satisfied with it. I still don't think the differences are worth the price for R9. I've used Leicaflex SL & various R bodies since 1969, and the R8 size & shape took a while to feel comfortable, but I like it now.

[YcPhoto]

I put the lenses I use in a new reply as I did write a lot about my camera bodies, here I will share my experiences with the lenses I use before.

In the early times when I started to use my R8, the lens I use is Vario-Elmar-R 35-70mm f/3.5 E67 (Stolen, serial number 3394057), this lens fits my basic requirement as a newbie, I practice my skills frequently with this lens and did have some good photos from it. However, when it was launched with my first R8, it was show the aperture is 3.4. I thought it may be the reason that there is some issues with the light meter, sadly I may not have a chance to discover it anymore.

The second major lens I got was a Vario-Elmar-R 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5, the range of this lens is actually better than my first lens, however there is an issue that the aperture display at range 35mm will be floating at indoor environment (from 3.4 to 4, the issue is similar with my R8 while using the lens without ROM). After a period of using, I decided to get a Vario-Elmarit-R 28-90mm f/2.8-4.5 ASPH, as I do not need to change my lens while taking photos on the train approaching platform.

Now I got a 28-90mm in use at the March before, and still under exploring the usage of this beautiful lens. Somehow on behalf of the current experience, I would say the ROM lens offers accurate exposure details on behalf of the data chip inside the lens.