Leica's R6.2. Trying to find anyone who

[holmes]

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has one or owned one and used it. I found a mint R6.2 in the box with strap, body cap, instructions, and whatever else Leica threw in. I am a long time user, at least since the debut of the M6TTL. Have added a couple of M7s and four excellent lenses. Have shot in both the US and Europe. But I found myself wanting some umph, reach beyond what the range finders had. My longest 75, f1.4. So I started looking to see what I could find in for my bag. This R6.2 and along with it, a 180 f4 and it is small and mint.I'm hoping that this setup will give me the reach when I need/want and still stay in the Leica circle. Any comments on the R6.2 or this older 180 f4 will be appreciated. Thanks.

[stunsworth]

I haven't used the R6.2 - though it's meant to be a superb camera. I have however used the 180mm lens you mentioned. It's nice and compact and was my favourite telephoto lens on my Canon digital SLRs. Here's an example of a full frame aken on a Canon 300D in 2004...

 

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[thrid]

I have one and it's a great camera. Very compact, very well made. The viewfinder is about as bright, as they come. Metering is straightforward (spot/average) and very accurate, if you understand how it works.

 

My only complaint is the shutter release. My example has a very long travel. DAG adjusted it, but it's still pretty mushy... Not sure if they all are like this, but I've tried another example in the store and it was about the same. Don't expect a hair trigger like a Leica M, SL or R8. A softrelease helps a lot. If you can live with that, it's one of the best mechanical camera out there.

[earleygallery]

Don't think you can go wrong - but the shutter release is 'slow' compared to my R3.

[rob_x2004]

Not much wrong with the camera. Check down the throat and look at the condition of the paint in the mirror box. While it doesnt matter much, and you reckon its mint, it shouldnt be cracked and flakey, but you know how good leica are with paint and glue. In use the rewind stub in the base is pretty easy to knock but if you are in a half case problem solved. Shutter release has less detents filed into it, so it might appear long. Certainly not worse than any of Leicas outdated releases. Mild zinkfrass (sp?) sometimes, little pimples. Back to finishes and dissimilar metals:D. Dont think it ever happened on the minoltas? The depth of field preview is sort of in a nice location but isnt particularly robust, and lets face it you are running out of fingers on that hand, and with sticky lenses and un CLA'd bodies you need to be gentle with the lever. Again, minolta had it right but leica had to make 'improvements' Ergonomics, great, it has the little ridge under the heel of your thumb. All the difference. Battery compartment is weather dependent. Wet and cold it will chew batteries like the MP and I figure every other leica with early twentieth century electonics and the unsealed battery compartment in the front panel. Electronics could also cause problems evidenced by the apparent loss of lightmeter. Sometimes a buildup or deterioration of a contact or screw, rather than the light meter itself failing. Cant comment on viewfinder clarity, but I suspect and it appears, even allowing for age and dust buildup on the older camera, that the R8/9 is a lot brighter. Mine is. The 6.2 viewfinder being high and wide is very nice, godsend compared to the viewfinder half way down the back of the bloody R9. You dont wind on into your eyebrow, and, you can actually see round the camera with your spare eye.

 

Be hard to see how you wouldnt be happy with the 6.2. Never had any major issues, nice in both hands, the body section itself no larger than your M, and it seems able to carry knocks better since there is no rangefinder to out of whack.

 

On the 180, optics is optics is optics. If you like what you see, get it, theres no good and bad with Leica, only different painting.

[nikau]

I have an R6.2 and love it. Thrid is right about needing some kind of soft release. I use a cheap Chinese one (sorry purists) from a well-known auction site and it transformed the handling of the camera. I used to have a 180 f4 and it was a favourite of mine - so light and compact for its focal length. Today, however, when I want this focal length I use a 2x Apo Extender with my 90mm Apo Summicron; light, compact and superb quality even wide open. I often take my R6.2 and one of my M bodies on trips, the reflex to handle longer focal lengths, the M for 50mm and wider.

[tobey bilek]

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While not APO quality, the 180 is more than decent lens. Takes the Elpro IV for nice close work

[atournas]

In my opinion, some merits of the R6.2 lie elsewhere. First, it fits one's hand surprisingly well. After a while, you just forget what you are holding (as if it is an M--only the heavier R lens may spoil it). Then it is the unbeatable feeling that it will never let you down: mechanical, smooth in function, still fully working without battery. Perhaps it is a quirk of mine, but the feeling that I am carrying an all-mechanical, if necessary battery-free, camera outshines any other benefits I may obtain from an automatic or digital SLR.

 

I also want to draw attention to a special characteristic of the R6.2, in fact of other R models like R7. It is the sound of the shutter release. It is a voluminous sound, short but not sharp, as if the damping mechanism is heard too No "kiss" from an M, yet one with its own "music". It always makes me feel I am holding a supreme camera.

 

OK, sometimes our emotional involvement with our Leica may go a bit too far! But the satisfaction you may get from an R6.2 will eventually show in your pictures.

 

Paul

[Michiel Fokkema]

I have R6 now for about 6 months and just love it. I always take it over the SL2 and R8. It's just perfect.

Except that I miss a release button lock.

You can't go wrong. If you don't like it you can easily sell it again.

 

Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema

[holmes]

to all for the great info.

[zapp]

The R6.2 is perfect for a mechanical camera. The 1/250s makes some funny afternoise, but that is normal. The 4/180 would suite well to the small - compared to others - camera. I also use the 2x apo extender with the 90AA as 4/180. I also used the 2.8/180 second version non apo and liked it. This lens is also easy to find for little money these days.