jaapv Posted March 2, 2009 Share #1 Posted March 2, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Now I wonder, with SH Photo having a big clearance sale of new R gear at rock-bottom price, whether they have heard something about the introduction of the R10 that we have not... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 2, 2009 Posted March 2, 2009 Hi jaapv, Take a look here A first green blade of Spring? (Rumour Warning). I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Venkman Posted March 2, 2009 Share #2 Posted March 2, 2009 /me nods his head in admiration to the greatest rumour starter of all times Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carstenw Posted March 2, 2009 Share #3 Posted March 2, 2009 It is inconceivable that Leica would not leave a backwards-compatibility option for their existing R users. That said, I fully expect the lineup to be updated with autofocus, so if SH has heard anything, that would be it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adan Posted March 2, 2009 Share #4 Posted March 2, 2009 The film-based R system as we have known it since 1964 is going the way of the screwmount rangefinders. I expect the "neue" R will be a self-contained system that allows for some compatability with older lenses, likely with reduced functionality (e.g., the new system flash will likely require distance info from new AF lenses to work in all modes). I expect the AF lenses may not fit on film bodies, just as M lenses won't fit on screwmount bodies. I expect Leica will port the glass from some of the newer manual R lenses into AF mounts - most likely those that already have internal focusing (180 APO f/2.8, 280 APO f/4) as well as those at the wider end that don't require much lens movement (21-35 Elmar, 15 Super-Elmarit) and a basic 50 f/2. Expect whole new internal-focus redesigns of the 90 f/2 and 80 f/1.4 (probably making the 80 APO-ASPH in the process - and perhaps porting that design to the M system as a replacement 75 APO-ASPH f/1.4 if the glass isn't too big) Maybe the relatively light 28 will port nicely to AF; I expect the 24 Minolta design may have run its course after 30 years and be overhauled; the 35s are a ? mark. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
miami91 Posted March 3, 2009 Share #5 Posted March 3, 2009 It'd be great if this were a sign of the imminent arrival of the R10. But aren't there much more pedestrian explanations, such as this particular dealer getting out of the R line, or just cutting prices to try to move inventory like so many other retailers in this tough economy? Either way, as someone who has been thinking about getting into the R line for awhile, I've taken advantage by purchasing the R9 starter kit (R9 plus vario-elmar 35-70) and a vario-elmar 80-200 from SH Photo over the weekend. I may also pull the trigger on a summilux 35. Jeff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted March 3, 2009 Author Share #6 Posted March 3, 2009 That Vario_Elmar 35-70 is a truly incredible lens -not that the 80-200 is far behind... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
miami91 Posted March 3, 2009 Share #7 Posted March 3, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) That Vario_Elmar 35-70 is a truly incredible lens -not that the 80-200 is far behind... Good to hear! The starter set was a good deal even at regular prices, and a bargain at 50% off (assuming one likes to shoot film, which I do). As for the 80-200, I'm aware that the APO telephotos are even more highly thought of, but the 80-200 is a nice combination of compact size and reasonable price. Jeff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdai Posted March 3, 2009 Share #8 Posted March 3, 2009 Good to hear! The starter set was a good deal even at regular prices, and a bargain at 50% off (assuming one likes to shoot film, which I do). As for the 80-200, I'm aware that the APO telephotos are even more highly thought of, but the 80-200 is a nice combination of compact size and reasonable price. Jeff, the 70-180 is one of Leica's top performers even beating some primers in that range. But you can't go wrong with the 80-200 and it kills ALL other zoomers except the 70-180 f course in that range. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
miami91 Posted March 3, 2009 Share #9 Posted March 3, 2009 Jeff, the 70-180 is one of Leica's top performers even beating some primers in that range. But you can't go wrong with the 80-200 and it kills ALL other zoomers except the 70-180 f course in that range. Hi Simon. Oh yes, I know the 70-180 is an amazing lens, but not only is the price significantly more than the 80-200, but the 80-200 is about as large as I'd want to go anyway (physically), even if I'd allowed myself to consider any zoomer at any price. Certainly be nice to have a faster lens, but I'm hopeful that the R10 (when it arrives) will have excellent high ISO performance, so I can make up for a couple lost stops of light that way! (and/or save my money for a faster autofocus telephoto). Jeff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlesphoto99 Posted March 3, 2009 Share #10 Posted March 3, 2009 Well, if it's anything like my dealer, who says he hasn't sold an R body in eons, then why have really expensive lenses sitting in a cabinet collecting dust? put it on sale, recoup your inventory overhead and buy stock some more D700s! Even then my dealer has some amazing deals on R gear (new and used) and it just sits there. Kind of sad but also a reality. Funny thing is, I always coveted shooting R cameras but by the time I could afford to (and I did have an R8 and a couple of lenses for a short while and lost $ buying and then selling them) there was no more call for me to be using 35mm film, and when I did I would much rather pick up my M7. As it is, with the R there was no way I could afford (and no place to rent) the lenses I really need in an slr system, such as the fast longs and super wides. So except for the well heeled, it's really not a practical system for most working photographers. Sad, as it is very nice stuff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhsimmonds Posted March 3, 2009 Share #11 Posted March 3, 2009 Most of the Leica dealers and Leica UK themselves cleared stocks of R lenses last year. I would not expect the R10 to be launched until next year. The stock clearance is probably making way for the S2 later this year and also to generate cash flow. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted March 3, 2009 Share #12 Posted March 3, 2009 Charles - When we consider that US merchants pay taxes on unsold inventory it is even more remarkable that they are holding onto the old lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted March 3, 2009 Author Share #13 Posted March 3, 2009 Jeff, the 70-180 is one of Leica's top performers even beating some primers in that range. But you can't go wrong with the 80-200 and it kills ALL other zoomers except the 70-180 f course in that range. The 80-200 is of the same family of lenses as for instance the 105-280, which challenges the 280/4.0 apo for quality - and that is probably the best long lens ever built. So it is a brilliant lens as well. I used to own one and some of my first shots were a frozen river straight into the sun. I still can remember getting the slides back: no flare and incredibly brilliant and sharp. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdai Posted March 3, 2009 Share #14 Posted March 3, 2009 The 80-200 is of the same family of lenses as for instance the 105-280, which challenges the 280/4.0 apo for quality - and that is probably the best long lens ever built. So it is a brilliant lens as well. I used to own one and some of my first shots were a frozen river straight into the sun. I still can remember getting the slides back: no flare and incredibly brilliant and sharp. I've sold my 80-200 after getting the 70-180 but I still keep the 35-70/4 ... these are the two stellar performers proving that Japanese companies can do stuff in the Leica way but at a drastic lower cost. I have the Color Foto test reports on all Leica R lenses, the 80-200 is miles ahead - miles ahead, of anything similar under any other label. The 280/4 will remain the king of the hill for quite some time IMO, and it'll probably give Leica themselves a hard time to come out with something matching its performance. This is one of the rarest things hitting the diffraction limit. Can they beat themselves? may be, but I'm not holding my breath for a AF magic. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
miami91 Posted March 3, 2009 Share #15 Posted March 3, 2009 Simon/Jaap, Just added a 50mm Summicron R to my order from SH Photo. I like that focal length (my Summilux is almost always on my M7), and at 650.00 USD for brand new with 2 year int'l warranty, seemed too good to pass up. What are you guys' thoughts on that lens? In particular, what do you think of the bokeh rendering? Regards, Jeff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdai Posted March 3, 2009 Share #16 Posted March 3, 2009 Simon/Jaap, Just added a 50mm Summicron R to my order from SH Photo. I like that focal length (my Summilux is almost always on my M7), and at 650.00 USD for brand new with 2 year int'l warranty, seemed too good to pass up. What are you guys' thoughts on that lens? In particular, what do you think of the bokeh rendering? Regards, Jeff. Jeff, I've never had a 50 cron for R so I have no first hand experience to share with but like you've said for several hundred dollars it's really too good to pass up. There are some really good prices at SH too such as the 90 AA for R ... for 1799 USD it's really a laugh. But don't spend too much on any R stuff unless it is a real bargain, plus ... you don't get bothered by the amount you spend, 'cause no one knows what would happen (or not happen) in the future, and Leica just refuse to give out any definite word. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
miami91 Posted March 3, 2009 Share #17 Posted March 3, 2009 Jeff, I've never had a 50 cron for R so I have no first hand experience to share with but like you've said for several hundred dollars it's really too good to pass up. There are some really good prices at SH too such as the 90 AA for R ... for 1799 USD it's really a laugh. But don't spend too much on any R stuff unless it is a real bargain, plus ... you don't get bothered by the amount you spend, 'cause no one knows what would happen (or not happen) in the future, and Leica just refuse to give out any definite word. Thanks for the advice, and yes, I've got both eyes open. I do hope that an R10 does arrive, and I certainly expect that it will be backwards compatible with the manual focus lenses, but if I'm consigned only to film with what I've purchases the last few days, I'll accept it. Jeff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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