Leica R8 Controls and Wrap-up (Part III)
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- Опубліковано 15 чер 2012
- Leica R8 on eBay:
rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-532...
OK, I've finally re-edited my wrap-up video for the Leica R8. In this video I show the major controls on the camera and give my opinions on its design and ease-of-use.
www.flickr.com/search/?w=76198... - Навчання та стиль
I bought my R8 when it was first released, as well as numerous R lenses, and it and they are still my favorites to use wherever I go! The R8 is a grand camera to operate!
Greatest thing I've ever heard. Made my day, sir!
Thanks for watching :-)
I'm sure there's some plastic here and there, but the main body shell is mostly metal. A very solid and heavy camera, and even the little bit of plastic is very high-quality. The baseplate is an odd soft-ish plastic (or rubber), but that kind of makes sense, in my opinion.
You will not be disappointed by R8/9 construction quality. Not a bit.
Great job explaining! As good as you always do... I learn and I enjoy; thank you. Keep it up; not easy for you... Thank you
Thank you,your video make for me things much easyer..
Thank you very much. Just got my R8+50 Summicron and loving it. (Also carry M3, iiic, and M9-P)
Nice! Enjoy it.
I agree WRT the LCD. It's not too overbearing, though.
The construction is mostly metal, though I'm sure some of the smaller bits are (very high quality) plastic. It is a super-solid camera. The baseplate is kind of an interesting hard rubber or soft plastic. Some don't like it, but I like how it pads the camera naturally.
I forgot to say in the video, one thing that Contax offers, but Leica left out, is the ability to lock the current meter reading. No need to hold the shutter button down on the Contax. The Leica only holds the EV setting for as long as the shutter button is half-pressed.
Glad to hear it!
Yeah, I still have the R8 and it is my go-to 35mm film camera, though I'm not shooting much 35mm lately.
Anyway, I'll tell you that I paid $750 for mine with the big motor drive, boxes, etc. It was in EX+ condition. I did have to have the drive battery pack rebuilt, and that was about $150 (this is a common need).
The 28mm will run $600-800 or so. I have an excellent one that I can sell, if you find a body and are in the US. Mine will be on the high side since it's been CLA'd.
Well, I will take note of your recommendations. And good work ;-)
The battery compartment slides open towards the bottom. You slide the little silver switch over, then pull the grip/batter compartment downwards.
You don't have to have to have a battery in to move the lever (I assume you're talking about the film wind lever), but you *DO* have to have a battery to take a picture (electronic shutter). It's probably already wound, so you can't wind it again, yet.
Thanks i learn alot
Note that I have uploaded a video on the process of removing the battery compartment / grip.
No problem. Happy hunting!
No I haven't considered the Rollei 35mm cameras. I really don't shoot that much 35mm, so I'm trying to settle down to one or two kits from my current collection :-).
Rollei is definitely a top manufacturer. I keep wanting to get a Rolleiflex or 'cord TLR.
Hi Can you show how the meter works inside ? thanks Dominique
I agree -- Contax is the better value right now, no question. I do strongly prefer a number of Contax features (such as exposure lock, the exposure comp control, etc.) over the R8/9. However, the handling of the Leicas is much better to me, more comfortable to hold/cary and shoot, esp with the motor attached, and the lenses are as good, if not better (and more expensive). Handling is very important to me, so I think I'm going to stick with the Leica over the Contaxes. A very hard choice!
Great video! I enjoyed all 3 parts! I wish Leica used R8 body for their DSLRs, purely out of aesthetics (not a big fan of the "classic" looks of M series). I just got my Summicron 50mm with intent of using it on Canon 6D, but I'm also thinking about getting one of R8s. Looks like a Ferrari among SLR cameras :)
Yeah, the R8/9 are really unique bodies. Leica actually has (had) a digital back for the R8/R9. It's around 11mp, and costs about $2-4k on eBay. 16-bit files. Supposedly great quality if you can live with the low mp count (and high expense).
I´m having in my hands right now a Leica R-8, and there´s 2 things I cant solve yet.
1rst_ How to OPEN the baterry compartment!! I have tried to slide that small piece at the bottom, but no result. And also, the lever doesnt want to move totally, so i couldnt take a picture anyway.
I have read somewhere that you need to have battery in order to move that lever, if not wont move. But im stuck with the battery compartment. Please help!
Thanks for the reply! Last question: you advice me to buy a Contax 167mt with Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 28-70mm or Leica R8 with Vario-Elmar 28-70mm? The use is primarily recreational.
And sorry for the late response. The UA-cam reply feature was broken for a while!
Question: Is Normal the Quick wind lever stocks with no film?
Gotcha. Well, the RX is a bit smaller than the R8, but they're both relatively big, black cameras with big lenses (compared to an X100 anyway). They're smaller than Canon pro cameras with IS lenses. Everything is relative. I can prefocus the R8 and whip it up and down to take a quick shot and people oftentimes are not the wiser. On the other hand I'm mostly not a street photographer, so it doesn't matter all that much. I agree that RFs or cameras like them are better for street in general.
I actually have a vlog that I recently recorded, but haven't uploaded yet, where I talk about my decision to go with the Leica R8. I'm going to upload it this weekend (maybe tonight). It covers some of your points.
Not sure I understand your point about raising the camera's "shoulders" vs the pentaprism, and what that has to do with street shooting. Can you clarify?
Wow, big difference between those systems! The R8 is a nicer body (IMO) than the 167mt (which is a fine camera on its own), but the R8 is *much* more expensive. If you are OK with not having a shutter speed dial, the 167mt and zoom is a bargain and will give you fantastic results, and I'd recommend it for recreational use. You could get extra lenses for the difference in price.
That being said, I am keeping my R8, but will likely sell my Contax gear -- the R system just fits my hand better.
And the R will take a shift lens, whereas the Contax won't.
Mike
Still enjoying the R8, Your thoughts on a reasonable price for an R8 body and a 28mm F/2.8?
Would like to have a Leica film experience.
Thanks
Thanks
Great video! The body is made of plastic or aluminum? thanks.
I just ordered an R8. Main reason was because my newly bought R4 has a terrible feel on the film advance lever. Lots of torque needed and it's not smooth torque (but only when there is film in the camera). Hopefully, the R8 has a smoother advance then the R4.
quixoticcassandra I consider the wind on my R8 to be very nice. Hopefully there’s not much variance between copies and you are happy with yours.
Great video. I am having a problem with the quick wind lever though.. It's only winds halfway and the nothing in the film area moves. any suggestions?
No idea, but it doesn't sound good :-(. My guess is you'll have to send it for service.
Hi Mike, thank you very much for this video. I bought an R8 silver, and I’m very happy. Can’t wait for play with this beauty. For now I don’t have any lens. But, it’s possible to use with an adapter M42 lens? Because I need to save for the 50mm Summicron.
Many thanks
lavertezzo Hey, the R8 in silver is a handsome beast. I hope you enjoy it! I actually don’t know about adapting M42 to Leica. Main thing to worry about is whether the flange distance (mount to film distance) works properly between the platforms. If the R8 is deeper, you’ll lose infinity focus adapting M42 to it (if I’m thinking right).
Hi Mike, many thanks for the fast reply. I'm so excited, because I've shoot only with the Leica M system. But I'm a Leica fangirl ahah and I love the R system. I've see the R7, but for that price I bought the R8. The price it's not very different. Perfect, now I save money only for the lens ;)
AKA the hunchback of Solms.
Hi Thomas! I don't know if I'm ever gonna get an answer but I'll still try. I having trouble w the diopter adjustment. Is there any mechanism that one needs to activate in order to make it move? I'm ruining my fingers on it and it's not moving an inch.. Thanks mate!!!
Happily I have my R8 in a handy location. Like yours, my diopter wheel seemed stuck. However, 22 seconds later, a Google search revealed that you simply need to click the wheel backward (toward your eye), which frees the wheel. Then press it back down to lock back into place.
@@mike.thomas wow thank you so much for the fast answer!!! Can’t wait to try tn thanks a lot!! (I googled it a few times but couldn’t find any answer sorry about the inconvenience)
Stupid question, How do you adjust the Diopter on the R8?
+pcar There's a little wheel to the left side of the eyepiece.
both settings on exposure metering are called center weighted? left and right?
Heh. Good catch -- I misspoke. The left side selection (as shown here) is spot metering. The right side is center-weighted average. The center selection is matrix.
Thanks
Did you now the M8 has the shutter from the R8?? It is counted for at least 100000 releafs.
No, I didn't know that. They do share the same top shutter speed, so I guess that makes sense.
Question, I hace the R-8 and the diopter Adjustment is stock, do you know if any way to release or adjust? Thanks!
I haven’t had my R8 for a few years, but I’m pretty sure you either have to pull out the dial (or push it in) before turning it (?)
@@mike.thomas thanks for take the time.. then now I have other issue the back screen do not display when I pusk the shooter, is any reco? yhanks
@@cuauharrietavisualcreative No, that sounds like a problem to me. If the batteries are good the screen should work, in my recollection.
@@mike.thomas thanks!!