Another R6.2

[Brownie]

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Since this is the film forum I guess this is where I post. I have been shooting with Ms for about 6-7 years and in the past year my interest got stirred into the direction of "R". Now this in no way implies anything wrong with my Ms. I love em. But what I missed was a longer focal length. Enter the "Rs". I have been fortunate to pickup pre-owned R equipment.

I found a mint R7 and a mint R6.2, both within a couple of weeks. Today I found another R6.2. Also my third lens arrived, a Summicron 90 f 2 (E55), to go along with my Elmar 180 f 4, and my zoom 105-280 f 4.2. That will cover the focal lengths I've been missing. Nothing wrong with a bag that has both M and R in it.

I am amazed at the price an excellent + or better R6.2 is bringing in the US. Considering they were being produced up until Spring. For service since they are all out of warranty I'll use DAG in Wisconsin.

[rob_x2004]

I am amazed at the price an excellent + or better R6.2 is bringing in the US. Considering they were being produced up until Spring.....

:)You didnt say which year.

Late nineties maybe? Dunno someone will know.

 

Great camera. Welcome to the forum. Look forward to seeing some of your stuff.

 

Ps ... 92ish to 97ish apparently.

[storybrown]

Welcome -- put some pics of 'em in the "Let's see your R" thread in this forum

[SteveYork]

The R6.2 was discontinued in 2002. It's a relatively rare camera, there was only about 20,000 cameras made in its' decade of production. It has retained its' value better then other R cameras, but I sense this is starting to change. But it is my favorite R camera, other than the Leicaflex SL and SL2. The first Leica I ever shot was an R6 about 15 years ago, and from there I went to Ms, only recently to come back to reflex cameras..

[Steve Busby]

I have been using M's for two years:) but would appreciate some advice from other R users,

on which R would be the best choice to start with?

Sorry to hijack this thread, and go off topic, but seeing the original posting, I thought I would ask some other R users their opinion

 

Thanks Steve

[tobey bilek]

R 6.0 or later were reliable R cameras. R4 & 5 were shakers without mirror arresting mechanism.

 

Leicaflexes of all types were nice, better made than all later R`s., but you may have to invest some $. Some lens incompatability issues depending. Bunch of stuff too numerious to list. Suffice to say you need older 2 cam lenses and battery circuits need to be redone. The meter cells are old and tired.

If brought up to date, they are wonderful cameras.

[Michiel Fokkema]

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R 6.0 or later were reliable R cameras. R4 & 5 were shakers without mirror arresting mechanism.

 

Leicaflexes of all types were nice, better made than all later R`s., but you may have to invest some $. Some lens incompatability issues depending. Bunch of stuff too numerious to list. Suffice to say you need older 2 cam lenses and battery circuits need to be redone. The meter cells are old and tired.

If brought up to date, they are wonderful cameras.

 

My Sl2 takes all my 3 cam lenses. It won't take later r-cam only and rom lenses. But most of these lenses can be converted.

I really like the SL2 but I like the R6 much better. According to my repairman the Leicaflexes and the R6(2) are the only ones that will survive. The others have to much flaky electronics.

 

Cheers,

 

Michiel Fokkema

[marc_dufour]

R6.2 is probably the best fully mechanical camera ever made.

I had great times with it, and still love the mine, although hidden in a drawer since the last year...

[SteveYork]

I have been using M's for two years:) but would appreciate some advice from other R users,

on which R would be the best choice to start with?

Sorry to hijack this thread, and go off topic, but seeing the original posting, I thought I would ask some other R users their opinion

 

Thanks Steve

 

I'm biased. I like the purely mechanical cameras w/ meter. That leaves a choice of an R6 or R6.2 and Leicaflex SL or SL2. If you want to use the most recent lenses (w/ ROM contacts) w/o modification, then you need to stay w/ the R6 and R6.2. If you are going to shoot a lot of telephoto and macro, then the microprism focusing screen of the SL beats the pants off, quite literally, of each and every camera. If you want a camera that is very M like in operation, from its' smooth shutter and relatively silent mirror, to its' feel, then look to the Leicaflex SL and SL2. The better used values are the R6 and the SL. You pay a high premium for the R6.2 and the SL2, and there's not a whole lot of difference between the two respective cameras, in practice. With all due respect to the poster above, having owned both a R6.2 and Leicaflex SL, the SL is far more durable. The R6.2 feels cheap in comparison, and that's saying a lot, because the R6.2 is a very fine camera.

[mgcd]

I'm biased. I like the purely mechanical cameras w/ meter. That leaves a choice of an R6 or R6.2 and Leicaflex SL or SL2. If you want to use the most recent lenses (w/ ROM contacts) w/o modification, then you need to stay w/ the R6 and R6.2. If you are going to shoot a lot of telephoto and macro, then the microprism focusing screen of the SL beats the pants off, quite literally, of each and every camera. If you want a camera that is very M like in operation, from its' smooth shutter and relatively silent mirror, to its' feel, then look to the Leicaflex SL and SL2. The better used values are the R6 and the SL. You pay a high premium for the R6.2 and the SL2, and there's not a whole lot of difference between the two respective cameras, in practice. With all due respect to the poster above, having owned both a R6.2 and Leicaflex SL, the SL is far more durable. The R6.2 feels cheap in comparison, and that's saying a lot, because the R6.2 is a very fine camera.

 

I was never enamored with the SL myself due to its sluggish metering, preferring the SL2 to the SL (still used CDS cells though). You're right about the build of the R6.2, it always felt cheap in comparison to the R8, that said, it"s a truly fine camera that I would love to get again, if only I could get myself to shoot more film...

[roguewave]

The R6.2 is indeed an iconic SLR. I enjoyed my time with it & it rarely failed me. With the end of production of the R system, I put my money on the R8/R9. I now have 3 R8's. I had the R9, but for various reasons, the R8 felt better balanced and easier to use. I use the full motor drive with the side hand grip, which has the same form factor as my R8/DMR. These cameras are just amazing. The cost difference in the US is very small if you shop around. In the last year, several friends have purchased "like new" R8's for around $500. Not on Ebay, but here in NYC. There's a fair consignment pool with people exiting the R system, so now is the time to buy, but buy smart. I doubt there will ever be a better 35 film camera than the R8/R9.

[Steve Busby]

I have been using M's for two years:) but would appreciate some advice from other R users,

on which R would be the best choice to start with?

Sorry to hijack this thread, and go off topic, but seeing the original posting, I thought I would ask some other R users their opinion

 

Thanks Steve

 

Thanks for all your reply's to my question, it seems to me that the R6.2 is should be my choice. My next question to you, what should I expect to pay on the High Street in the UK.

I know that prices are going to be higher! but feel the guarantee is worth having!

I don't really want to go down the Ebay route, I have heard far too many bad stories, I would like a Nr Mint if possible

 

Thanks again Steve