Suggestions for not working R4 body and lenses?

[ThomasR]

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I'm sitting here with a faulty R4 black body ser no 1570560. Have two lenses -Summilux-R 1:1.4/50 Leitz Wetzlar 3114785 and an Elmarit-R 1:2.8/24 Leitz Wetzlar 3101972. Spoke with a repair vendor today but he said no one repair these R4s today. Anyone got any suggestions what to do? Can I get a used camera body e.g. a R7 body and use my lenses on that or is it not worth while? Or should I just forget the R4 and buy something new?

 

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Thomas Rugeland

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[andybarton]

Hi Thomas

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

You can buy a working R4 body for around €200, and you lenses will fit and work on any R body. With the lenses you have, it is most definitely worthwhile.

[ThomasR]

Thanks Andy for the welcome and advice.

Thomas Rugeland

[S. Wong]

ThomasR,

I have an 28 Elmarit and 50 lux, and also shot with my Grandfather's R4.

It had issues with focusing properly and was somewhat dark to use.

Symptoms:

A vertical orientation would not permit the mirror to return, blocking out the view. No affect on shutter actuation.

The focusing screen was misaligned or something, and would on occasion focus perfectly in the viewfinder, but the distance scale was at the far end of where it should be. 10' subject distance at f/1.4, lens actually focused at 2'.

The really annoying ones were wide open, in doors shots, and the mug would be in focus, but not the face I was focusing on.

 

Solution:

I found a black chrome SL, and never looked back. All my lenses are 3 cam, so they work just fine.

 

Good Luck,

-Steven

 

PS. I'm not looking to sell the R4 for parts, just in case you were thinking about it. Too much sentimental value.

[gvaliquette]

Thomas:

 

These are two fine lenses that you have. If your 50mm/f1.4 Summilux is the E55 filter size version, then I have the same two lenses and would not part with them for any reason.

 

Get yourself an R body and use the lenses! If they are 3-cam (look for 2 chrome ramps and a black stepped ("3rd cam") one outside one of the 2 chromed ramps), then you can use ANY body from the original Leicaflex to the R9. The R4 also accepts "3rd cam" only lenses (the 2 chromed ramps are missing); 3rd cam only lenses do not work with the Leicaflexes, except in stop down mode, but work with any R body, from R3 to R9.

 

Now, which R body???

 

R4s are easily and cheaply available on eBay or at KEH Camera: Used Cameras, Digital Cameras, Film Cameras, Laptop Computers and More., in the US, if you prefer a dealer with return priviledges. You could also get an RE. Another relatively cheap option is an R8; the R8 can accept a DMR, if you are headed that way. Plenty of options to choose from for not that much money.

 

Get yourself a body and enjoy life;) .

 

Guy

[earleygallery]

I'm sitting here with a faulty R4. Spoke with a repair vendor today but he said no one repair these R4s today.

 

Firstly your repairer is misleading you. The R4 probably can be repaired (Leica would do it as would a number of Leica specialists) but the cost would probably exceed the price of replacing it with a working s/h body. What's wrong with it by the way?

 

As above, there are plenty of options for you - I have seen dealers selling working R bodies from £100. Treat yourself, it's Christmas!

[ThomasR]

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Thanks all for your advice. I'll go for a used R4 body.

 

Christmas/Holiday Greetings

Thomas Rugeland