Re: [Leica] "standard camera"

[Alan Ball <AlanBall@csi.com>]

Steve,

A few weeks ago, I had the answer to that: obviously you should go for
the F5 (or even more to the coming F100) for a much better
quality/price/features mix and ratio. And I would have sounded quite
convincing: no real life imaging advantage for the R, no AF for the R,
etc, etc.

Now, due to luggite (the lug disease), I've spent my economies and
traded my trustworthy Nikon system for a lonely R8 + 50mm Summicron (on
loan). A LUG pusher also lent me a 100mm apo-macro-R. I'm now working
overtime again and trying to sell almost every piece of photo equipment
that lies around (except my M system of course), in order to finance the
purchase of that lens and of the new 180mm f2.8 apo-elmarit.

The reason (besides luggite) ? Well, not reason really, but the pleasure
and the fun. The R8 is the most silent SLR I ever touched: it has this
motorless feature that is very exclusive these days on high end systems.
It is also exquisitely built: perfect ergonomy, perfect manageability in
all modes, unbelievable smoothness of operation: both my former F90 and
FM2 seem 'cold', unfinished and rustic by comparison. The R8 also sports
a very advanced feature which is the integrated flashmeter, which allows
to control the output of any number of non-dedicated flashes. On the
other side, the SCA 3501 dedicated shoe provides sophisticated auto-TTL
management with EASY control on fill-in ratio. Not as sophisticated as
the Nikon "3D matrix TTL" system, but MUCH easier to master, faster to
use and, really, just as efficient.

That is not all. The mechanical quality of the lenses, and the materials
used, guarantee a great picture taking experience: they are so smooth
and precise that they even put the good old AI Nikkors to shame on the
tactile feedback level. The Nikkor AF generation is simply boring to use
(though very efficient). I am not going to rave on the so-called optical
superiority of Leica R lenses. Not yet anyway. But the rolls of slides I
got back are very rewarding. Any picture failure is my fault. It is good
to "know" that those are supposed to be the best lenses ever designed.

So, at the end of the day, the Leica R is not the most productive
picture taking 35mm SLR outfit available. But I can guarantee you it is
the one that feels the best and gives the best user interface I ever
tried. It pushes you to shoot, because it makes you want to use it. On
that level it certainly makes a difference. 

Alan.



smhickel@iserv.net wrote:
> 
> Ok, its me again. Went in looking at the R8 for which I have two 3-cam
> lenses. The 50/2 and 35/2.8. My thought is to sell my R4s and move into the
> R-8 with the 180/2.8 that I asked about earlier. Then the fellow shows me
> the Nikon F5. Looking at the F5 and R-8 side-by-side I was impressede more
> with the F5 (did you see how fast that motor drive moves that puppy?). So
> now my brain is ticking. I do have a few Nikkor lenses lying about so do I
> get the R8 and 180/2.8 combo OR do I opt for the F5 and maybe the 180/2.8
> or the 80-200/2.8? Well I am going to sleep on this but what I do know is
> that the lens is what counts and the three Leica lenses I mentioned are
> nice ones. Thoughts anybody?
> 
> Steve