Leica R Series

Posted by: Martin D on 22 February 2004

Hi Guys
I’ve been following several post of mine and others concerning the ongoing digital analogue cameras debate and have started to narrow things down (version 9f subsection g!) anyway I have come across some interesting info regarding the Leica R series of bodies and lenses. Two opinions (aren’t there always) seem common. One = fab two = its not even made by them (is this true?) any comment on the subject most welcome. Does this range play second fiddle to the almighty M series?
Yours confused
Martin D
Posted on: 22 February 2004 by Cheese
Leica R's are indeed engineered by Minolta, you could even take off the rear lid off the camera and put it on a Minolta XD-7 ! I don't think though that the cameras are produced in Japan.

As much as I like Leica M's, I wouldn't know what to do with a Leica R... To me they are far too heavy and slow to work with. Oh and try to disassemble, say, a Nikon F3 and a Leica R4 and compare the way they are made. You'll be surprised.

Cheese
Posted on: 23 February 2004 by Martin D
Cheese
Thanks for your reply. That pretty much confirms my feelings so I’m glad I asked. Sorry to be thick though, but I take your last comment to mean the F3 would be surprisingly good in relation to the R4 as a v.good 2nd hand F3HP was an item in my to be considered list (I used to have a lovely FM years ago and sold it - bugger)
Many thanks again
Martin
Posted on: 23 February 2004 by Cheese
quote:
but I take your last comment to mean the F3 would be surprisingly good in relation to the R4
You're spot on... BTW I still see no reason why I should replace my old and worn F3, to me it was the best compromise ever made in terms of quality, functionality, weight and overall system concept.

The F4 has some nice features when it comes to flash programs, but flashes are anyway not my favourite gadget.

Oh and my F3 has never let me down, not even once, in almost 20 years... the only thing I paid for was a general checkup of the camera. It cost me about £150 but I still think the investment was sensible because I believe my old friend will last at least 10 more years.

Cheese