Some people love the way the Leica R8 and R9 look, others don’t. It’s very divisive! But almost everyone agrees they handle superbly. They’re beautiful cameras.
The R8 is one of the most underrated cameras of the Leica lineup, as well als the Leicaflex. When I bought my R8, I immediately felt the Leica quality in my hands, As you mentioned, the viewfinder is brilliant. The ergonomics are fantastic. The R3..R7 had tried hard to keep up, but where lagging behind competition. The R8 instead is a class of its own. I would also recommend the Leicaflex SL2. Fully mechanical, strong quality!
I have a (working) R3 and its great - the R9 is fabulous - I think its visually stunning and more ergonomic than you think. maybe less so now the film folks are onto them but the R lenses are fabulous value for money...
Hi Jonathan, Greetings from NYC! Recently bought an R9 + motor winder, and was curious if the film advance lever only works if you have film in the camera? For some reason, the lever won’t wind back and feels “stuck” or can only go so far back until it’s met with resistance. Does it work if the camera reads the film if I load it? Thanks so much!
Not sure if you mean the film wind or film rewind lever? Either way both will work (either prime the shutter or spin around loosely) without a film. Maybe ask a repairer to take a look.
@@WorldwideCameraExchange - the film wind lever! To advance the film to another shot- I’ve powered the camera as well but haven’t gotten luck with advancing my next shot.
The shape of this cameras instantly reminds me of many Exakta models, like the Exa Ⅰa, Ⅰb and Ⅰc, etc. I find this design to be an acquired taste, but one irrefutable thing is - as you say - how good the camera feels when you handle it. Cheers! //Rick
I am more in favour of the R6 or 7’s The R8’s are twice the price and the R9’s four times the cost and availability of the special batteries and the lenses, especially the period correct ROM series is a little prohibitive Also the R8&9 motor drive which have a specific rechargeable batteries only are now unusable
All good cameras. Yes, the Leica R6 and R7 cameras are cheaper but you can buy R8s for less than £500. That’s not expensive for a Leica. No need to bother with ROM lenses as they make very little difference in use. I’m not keen on the motor winder or motor drive but the nicad packs can easily be serviced if necessary. Thanks for commenting.
R8 & R9 is very very beautiful to me
Some people love the way the Leica R8 and R9 look, others don’t. It’s very divisive! But almost everyone agrees they handle superbly. They’re beautiful cameras.
The R8 is one of the most underrated cameras of the Leica lineup, as well als the Leicaflex. When I bought my R8, I immediately felt the Leica quality in my hands, As you mentioned, the viewfinder is brilliant. The ergonomics are fantastic. The R3..R7 had tried hard to keep up, but where lagging behind competition. The R8 instead is a class of its own.
I would also recommend the Leicaflex SL2. Fully mechanical, strong quality!
Totally agree! And, yes, the Leica SL2 is a fantastic camera although a very different beast.
very good video. Great value. I was looking to start Leica Analog and I found all the information I needed here.🙌🏻
Glad it was useful!
As someone who’s held an R8 in his hands… I can attest that the shape just feels amazing around the hand
Yes, I think it’s the best handling Leica SLR
I have a (working) R3 and its great - the R9 is fabulous - I think its visually stunning and more ergonomic than you think. maybe less so now the film folks are onto them but the R lenses are fabulous value for money...
Thanks for comment - agree totally!
Hi Jonathan,
Greetings from NYC!
Recently bought an R9 + motor winder, and was curious if the film advance lever only works if you have film in the camera? For some reason, the lever won’t wind back and feels “stuck” or can only go so far back until it’s met with resistance. Does it work if the camera reads the film if I load it?
Thanks so much!
Not sure if you mean the film wind or film rewind lever? Either way both will work (either prime the shutter or spin around loosely) without a film. Maybe ask a repairer to take a look.
@@WorldwideCameraExchange - the film wind lever! To advance the film to another shot-
I’ve powered the camera as well but haven’t gotten luck with advancing my next shot.
Test without the winder fitted. If it still isn’t advancing then I suspect you’ll need to get it repaired… sorry
Jonathan, how would you rate the reliability of the R8 vs the R7 for example?
Both are reliable cameras. I wouldn't recommend Leica R3 or early Leica R4 cameras but the later SLRs are good.
The shape of this cameras instantly reminds me of many Exakta models, like the Exa Ⅰa, Ⅰb and Ⅰc, etc. I find this design to be an acquired taste, but one irrefutable thing is - as you say - how good the camera feels when you handle it. Cheers! //Rick
Yes! But, luckily, far more reliable!
@@WorldwideCameraExchange Oh, definitely with you on that!
I would add Minolta 7xi too.
Thanks for commenting
I am more in favour of the R6 or 7’s
The R8’s are twice the price and the R9’s four times the cost and availability of the special batteries and the lenses, especially the period correct ROM series is a little prohibitive
Also the R8&9 motor drive which have a specific rechargeable batteries only are now unusable
All good cameras. Yes, the Leica R6 and R7 cameras are cheaper but you can buy R8s for less than £500. That’s not expensive for a Leica. No need to bother with ROM lenses as they make very little difference in use. I’m not keen on the motor winder or motor drive but the nicad packs can easily be serviced if necessary. Thanks for commenting.
I re-celled my R8 motor packs and they work well. You do need to know how to solder however.
@Anabasis75 thanks for commenting