Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1996/03/28
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]In message <009A003A.F1FD5162.295@WKUVX1.WKU.EDU>, Sweendog <sweenma@WKUVX1.WKU.EDU> writes >I currently use an old M3 and an F4E and an FM2n. Is the switch to >Leica R worth the hassle and are the lenses the same as M glass? Folks >I've talked to said they didn't like the R glass for some reason, >which was a while ago. Maybe they weren't using it right or something. I seem to get the same sort of results from R and M lenses, and can't really understand how anyone wouldn't; they seem to have the same "look". Some are even exactly the same optical design in both lines. It may not be beyond the reaches of possibility that someone who couldn't afford (or couldn't afford to keep) a Leica R system might say later that they didn't like the R lenses. I don't know, it's just an impression I get sometimes; some people are very quick to criticise Leica stuff, and I wonder why. With Leica, sometimes people get a bit weird. You can't believe everything you hear. And then again, some people genuinely won't like the Leica lenses, and if you gave them some for free, they'd exchange them for something else. For me personally, Leica are the best I've ever seen, with a 3-dimensional look to the slides and a wonderfully atmospheric look as well. But that's my personal preference, it's not the result of reading test results. Whether it's worth changing for you I can't say. I'm glad I did because I really do prefer these lenses' optical characteristics, and the fact that the lenses and bodies have an air of quality about them and seem to last for an awfully long time. You need to decide for whatever reasons are valid for you. >I have one other question, how are the older R bodies, such as the >R4s and R5? Does anybody still use these older bodies or have they all >switched to the R7? I've seen in Shutterbug (thanks for the tip about >finding used M6's) R4s sell for about $500 which seems pretty >reasonable to me. If you want TTL flash metering, you'll need an RE or R5 onwards. I started with an R4S/2 (R4S/P in the USA) and it was a nice camera, but the viewfiunder had a green cast that was excessive. So I returned it and got an R5. Otherwise it was fine, ergonomically superior to the R4 and R4S (better exp. compensation controls, brighter focusing screen). They are a bit rarer and cost a bit more but for the older bodies they are very nice, perfectly usable. With limited funds, an R4S would seem to be a good choice, leaving some cash for lenses. There is some concern about R4's with serial numbers under 1,600,000 (I think) being unreliable electronically. Proceed with caution. I would avoid serial numbers under that one. Others may know more about this. -- joe b.