tiep Posted August 1, 2009 Share #1 Posted August 1, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am new baby to use leica and about to buy Leica R4. anyone used it . Pls share your experience used this . thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 1, 2009 Posted August 1, 2009 Hi tiep, Take a look here Leica R4. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
doubice Posted August 1, 2009 Share #2 Posted August 1, 2009 I am new baby to use leica and about to buy Leica R4. anyone used it . Pls share your experience used this . thanks The R4 used to be one of the most problematic SLR's from Leitz. Particularly, the early versions suffered from electronic issues, to the point where if sent for repair, all that the owner got back from his own camera was the base plate with the original serial number. Leitz would simply replace the camera and return it with the owner's base plate attached. Having said that however, if an R4 is functioning properly today, it will most probably be trouble-free. There are many early R4's that have completely new electronics and an early serial number - this indicates a replaced body; I used to have one of those, bought used. Did not have any problems with it and traded it in for an R6. Make sure that you check all the electronic functions, aperture priority operation, meter accuracy, viewfinder displays etc. Also - the light sealing foam around the back door and around the film window should not be sticky; this is a common issue with all cameras of this age and may lead to eventual light leaks. To fix this is relatively easy, with kits available on eBay. If you have a little bit more money to spend and want to stay with the same body size, try to look for the R5 or R7. Best, Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted August 1, 2009 Share #3 Posted August 1, 2009 Early R4 cameras have a reputation for unreliability. Might be worth advising us how much you are paying and also the serial number with **** for last few digits so as to get some feedback as to whether it's a reasonable buy. There are some bargain R4 cameras available. Are you buying a lens(es) as well and if so which? You can save some money by buying eg a Mk 1 triple cam 50mm Summicron instead of a Mk 2 . Later R series cameras are more reliable - I've had an R4 S Model 2 for almost twenty years and it has proved to be very reliable. Welcome to the Leica Camera Forum. Cheers dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
roguewave Posted August 1, 2009 Share #4 Posted August 1, 2009 I have owned one in the past & recently purchased one for my son. The camera is very good. It has never failed me or my son. Strong build, very accurate metering & small form factor. My son loves his and the images are wonderful. Don't overpay. A good body can be got for around US $150 if you shop right. Now that R glass is cheaper than ever, it makes good sense to buy this for film. The R4 is a wonderful metered lightbox, the superb lens render the same supreme images on the film as they would with the R8's i now use. Don't be concerned, but be respectful pf the camera & don't knock it around. It is older & demands both respect and a good caretaker. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiep Posted August 2, 2009 Author Share #5 Posted August 2, 2009 I have owned one in the past & recently purchased one for my son. The camera is very good. It has never failed me or my son. Strong build, very accurate metering & small form factor. My son loves his and the images are wonderful. Don't overpay. A good body can be got for around US $150 if you shop right. Now that R glass is cheaper than ever, it makes good sense to buy this for film. The R4 is a wonderful metered lightbox, the superb lens render the same supreme images on the film as they would with the R8's i now use. Don't be concerned, but be respectful pf the camera & don't knock it around. It is older & demands both respect and a good caretaker. Thanks you all for your advice Cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystic Posted August 2, 2009 Share #6 Posted August 2, 2009 The R4 is a pretty good and pretty reliable camera in my opinion. I owned one too and I never had issues with it, its small and robust, easy to handle. Like Roguewave said, the camera doesnt cost that much, I paid round about 130€ for the body which was in a good condition. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joachim123 Posted August 2, 2009 Share #7 Posted August 2, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Likewise, I love this camera. I have not had any problems with it. For me it works flawlessly. Joachim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
razerx Posted August 2, 2009 Share #8 Posted August 2, 2009 The R4 has a larger finder magnification than subsequent R bodies which translates into easier focusing and this is important for my middle aged eyes. I only use the R4 now and won't use anything else and I have used most R bodies up to the R8. I would go for a user R4 over a mint one to guarantee it has been used and fixed! Better yet try looking for a R4 Mod P which has newer electronics. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
storybrown Posted August 2, 2009 Share #9 Posted August 2, 2009 I'm a big fan of the R4sP & think it's tops. Any problems I've had with it have all been with the shooter. I also have an R8 & some 'flexes, but the R4sP gets plenty of use. E.g., I'm on a short trip now & the R4sP is with me along with a Digilux 2. You can get the various R4s pretty inexpensively, and I wouldn't spend a lot of time bottom feeding for the cheapest possible deal -- just look for one in good shape & spend that time shooting. Keep your eyes peeled for R lenses, too: as everyone says, they're among the foto world's genuine bargains. KEH is an excellent place to get an overview of the range of R (and other) things. (They're dependable and they grade & price very well.) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
samwells Posted August 3, 2009 Share #10 Posted August 3, 2009 Agree with Guy re the R4sP (known as R4Smod2 in UK)...it's a lovely little camera and a bargain, with just the right amount of features. Typically, the foam sealing round the door will probably have deteriorated by now, especially round the film-view window - that was the only problem I had to deal with, and it's easy enough - there's some guy in Texas, I think, who sells appropriate foam kits on ebay. Sam Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbx4kim Posted August 27, 2009 Share #11 Posted August 27, 2009 I am new baby to use leica and about to buy Leica R4. anyone used it . Pls share your experience used this . thanks i have a r4 usa licensed and a r4s,both are excelent camera's. suggest a r4s or r4s mod p. both were later models. however a r5 or r6.6 would be nice to have if you are looking to start with an older model.of course your budget would determine that. imo. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
flavio Posted August 27, 2009 Share #12 Posted August 27, 2009 i purchased my R4s in 1984, so i suppose it is the very first release. it has always worked perfectly. i consider R4s as the perfect size and weight camera for my hands. good luck. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
poynterama Posted September 2, 2009 Share #13 Posted September 2, 2009 Another vote for the R4s- I bought mine about 18 months ago and have since built up a bit of a system with 4 lenses ranging from 35-180mm. It has proved totally reliable and is a good partner for my digilux 2. Good luck with a potential purchase, you won't be disappointed if you find one in good condition Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiemchacsu Posted September 3, 2009 Share #14 Posted September 3, 2009 I have a R4 with early series number. However, I found on the top plate a strange string "J.Meier". I am wondering if this camera is an particular version or just engraved by someone? Thanks, Trung Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Henry Posted September 6, 2009 Share #15 Posted September 6, 2009 Trung I think that it is the signature of the owner that made engrave. Tiep, I have R4S bought as Flavio in 1984 and he walks always well, never turned in Solms and fabricated in Portugal... Good photos Regards Henry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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